EXTERNAL INTOXICATION.

Auckland Star, Volume XXX, Issue 5, 7 January 1899, Page 3 (Supplement)

EXTERNAL INTOXICATION.

T feel fine,' said a patient in a fash" ionable-private hospital recently to a visitor. 'I've had four alcohol rtib§ to-day.' To all appearances the patient was enjoying the mild stimulus which is the initial stage of what the feoys call 'a high old time.' She was flushed? reminiscent, with an unlimited supply-; of amusing anecdotes, and apparentlyforgetful of her stern surrpundiiigs and the paraphernalia which suggest* ed her serious illness. -~-.. L . 'I do enjoy these alcoholic rubs,* she went on; T always feel $0 ).<_* freshed.' '■' . A physician whose opinion wa£ asked affirmed that tnere was -n<> doubt a certain absorption of the alcohol by the system when applied by the fanjiliar 'rub,' and" that; while it. would -undoubtedly exhaust the energies of even the most ■ tirelessi attendant to produce a 'genuine stat& of intoxication, four or five alcohol rubs a,day were sufficient for the preliminary stage. One questions why the 'beautiful society girl' who figures so promiril--ently in police court records lately as the victim of drink does not take this original way of satisfying her thirst. An injured ankle, a bad case'of pneumonia, a touch of fever, followed byj a removal to a swell hospital, and, ip, the deed is done, and by means of ipif a dozen baths of alcohol per, tUein she can enjoy her needed disfeipatipii without taxing the sensibilities of fthj_>. public. .-■ . - .' ' ' ' " _j .. '._.