Evening Republican, Volume 22, Number 306, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 22 December 1919 — Many Deaths Due to Wood Alcohol [ARTICLE]

Many Deaths Due to Wood Alcohol

Increases in Fatalities and in Blindness Recently Shown by Records. ‘

WARNS OF PERIL IN USE

Committee for Prevention of Blindness Begins Nation-Wijie, Campaign . of Education—Many States Take Action. —— G New York. — The increase in the number of deaths‘and cases of blindness resulting from the drinking of wood alcohol as a substitute for grain alcohol has caused the National Committee for the Prevention of Blindness, 130 East Twenty-second street, to send warnings broadcast throughout the country. The record’s in the office of the committee show more fhtin 1.000 cases of blindness in the country resulting from wood alcohol covering a period of several" years, according, to Gordon L. Berry, field secretary. This record* is admittedly incomplete. In recent months.. Mr; Berry said, there have apparently’ been more deaths than cases.of blindness resulting from the llriiiking of woojl alcohol, due, he said, to the larger quantity taken-by the victim. Upward of twentyfive deaths have oecured .in New York City and vidi-nity since Jan. 1. Similar conditions tire said to prevail in all parts of the country. Edward M. Van Cleve. managing director of the National Committee. declared that the use of wood alcohol for drinking purposes had'increased to an alarming extent in every state in the Union, no section being exempt from, its use by those ignorant of its dangers. Tift* purpose of the National Committee is to educate the people to the danger, as laws regarding the sale of wood alcohol can be evaded. Regulated In Many States. Mr. Berry said that twenty states have passed laws for the regulation and control' of the sale and use«of wood alcohol, either through pure food legislation or through the pharmacists. However, it has been, found that the laws havi not been ylgidly. enforced, he said. and. besides, if enforced would not entttoly- stop the sale and use of 4he-danger<uis ; splrits for beverage purposes; In nearly every state, he said the 'druggist is required to label "Poison" i'n every bottle of wood alco-* hoi that is sold, but this does not preVent rhe u<e of it in any manner the the ordinances of the depart-, inept provide that “it Is ifhlawful to use this alcohol In iuiv article of food, beverage or medicinal or toilet preparation'intended for external or internal human use.” The city authorities have several

times called attention to the increase !n the last few the use of wood alcohol as a'beverage and efforts have been inade through the health dm partment To enforce TtturT>r<rnrances ; .. Several months ago Dr. Charles E. Norris, a .city medical exaiuiner, sent a letter to Health Commissioner Copeland telling of several deaths from wood alcohol in New York, ami oflcring h'is. assistance in a campaigti to prevent The sale ' spirits for drinking purposes. Dr. Alexander OGettler, as chemical pathologist, also brought to»the attention of the health department and the public generally, the increased number of deaths from wood alcohol. .< . T. Fumes Also Harmful. - The Increase in the use of wood alcohol for beverage purposes Is said to have started with the increase In the price of Whisky during the winter and with the wartime prohibition of July 1. The action of wood alcohol is much -dike ordinary alcohol, except that it is more severe. Within a few hour v s after drinking, acute headache is noted, usually accompanied by Violent attacks of vomiting, pains extending over the region of the kidneys, ami excessive' dizziness. Vision miiy become impaired, total blindness occur, and death Itself result. Harmful acs tion of this poison may also be induced by breathing iis fumes, ami by absorpjion through the nUteous membranes of the body.

The wood alcohol used:in the United StHTT'S'is obtained"chiefly from the de-structive-(listillation of birch, beach, maple, oak, elm and alder. The chief uses t<> which it is put are for the denaturing of grain alcohol; for various purposes in lines of Cbnunon manufacture, (especially as a Solvent in the preparation of shellac,- varnish, dyes, etc.,) as an ingredient in medical and phann’aceutical preparations; in the chemical industries and as a- fuel and illuminant. .