EXTERNAL INTOXICATION.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXI, Issue XXVI, 24 December 1898, Page 815

EXTERNAL INTOXICATION.

‘I feel fine,’ said a patient in a fashionable private hospital recently to a visitor. ’l've had four alcohol rubs to-day.’ To all appearances the patient was enjoying the mild stimulus which is the initial stage of what the boys call ‘a high old time.’ She was flushed.

reminiscent, with an unlimited supply of amusing anecdotes, ami apparently forgetful of her stern surroundings and the paraphernalia which suggested her serious illness. *1 do enjoy these alcoholic rubs,’ she went on: ‘1 always feel so refreshet I.’ A physician whose opinion was asked affirmed that, mere was no

doubt a certain absorption of the alcohol by the system when applied by the familiar ‘rub,’ and that while it would undoubtedly exhaust the energies of even the most tireless attendant to produce a genuine state 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 prominently 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 by a removal to a swell hospital, ami. 10. the deed is done, and by means of half a dozen baths of alcohol per diem she can enjoy her needed dissipation without taxing the sensibilities of the public.