METHYLATED SPIRITS DRINKING.

Press, Volume LX, Issue 18015, 6 March 1924, Page 9

METHYLATED SPIRITS DRINKING.

ALARMING DISCLOSURES IN MELBOURNE. Remarkable disclosures concerning the prevalence of methylated spirits drinking in Victoria, and the absolute necessity of stringent measures to suppress the practice, were made (says the "Age") by the Chief Inspector of Charities, Mr R. J. Love. "The phenomenal spread of this vice came under my official notico in connexion with some of the benevolent asylums," said Mr Love when interviewed. "I made further enquiries, and found that the procuring and drinking of methylated spirits was one of the most serious and difficult problems which the administration of the benevolent asylums had to face. In the words of the medical superintendent of one big medical institution, the consumption of methylated spirit 'turns decent old meD into raving maniacs,' and the pity of the thing is that this stuff is readily obtained and at such low cost. Grocers will sell sufficient methylated spirit for sixpence to demoralise a number of men for a couple of days, and on Sundays chemists may dispose of it, so that alcohol in one of the most potent and dangerous forms is .always readily procurable." The Chief Inspector stated further that he liad pursued enquiries in as endeavour to ascertain if this wert a habit confined solely to institutions where the inmates had a lot of time on their hands. Master painters and people of that kind had informed him that methylated spirit, in their opinion, was one of the worst curses m the community. As to a suggested remedy, it was perfectly obvious that no restriction could be placed on the sale of the article, because of its wide commercial use and the many domestic services that it supplied. But * was J* l4 that some method of methylation could be introduced which would prevent it being drunk by serving it with a mechanical action that, the drinker could not contain it; in other words, making it an emetic. . Mr Love added that he had received information from Amerxca on the iect That country had to face the problem, but it overcame _it by the introduction of formalin in a small percentage. This absolute* prevented it being taken internally. Whetner or not there was anything m this suggestion he could not say, but he felt fure that if the Customs and Excise authorities, in whose de-nt spirits were controlled, cre s ™ with the seriousness of the position, U,c; »»»ld rapidly i»» tions as J bem before the matter has Love, "and Cl,arit.e» Board, .arfjl Departweat on the IUM. »- dicated."