Report upon the alleged adulteration of pale ales by strychnine / by [Thomas] Graham and [August Wilhelm] Hofmann.

  • Graham, Thomas, 1805-1869.
Date:
1852
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Report upon the alleged adulteration of pale ales by strychnine / by [Thomas] Graham and [August Wilhelm] Hofmann. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by Royal College of Physicians, London. The original may be consulted at Royal College of Physicians, London.

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    REPORT UPON THE ALLEGED ADULTERATION OF PALE ALES BY STRYCHNINE, BY PROFESSORS GRAHAM AND HOFMANN. O London, April 26th, 1852. Having undertaken at the request of Mr. Allsopp an inquiry into the purity of bitter beer, with particular reference to its alleged adulteration by strychnine, we now submit the results which we have obtained upon the subject. Strychnine or strychnia, the alleged substitute for the hop, is a tine crystallizable substance, extracted from nux vomica, and belonging to the class of vegetable principles termed alkaloids, of which quinine from Peruvian bark, and morphine from opium, are the most familiar examples. These substances, although sus- ceptible of the most valuable medical application in small doses, are, generally speaking, remarkable for their energy as poisons, and for the intense bitterness of their taste; two properties which are developed in strychnine in the highest degree. Half a grain of the latter substance would poison and the bitterness of the same minute quantity is perceptible in every drop of six or eight gallons of water in which it is dissolved. It may be stated at once, that the quantity of strychnine, which we find necessary to impart to beer the degree of bitterness possessed by pale ales, is for a gallon of beer one grain of strychnine, or double the fatal dose. The price of strychnine is about 16s. the ounce, which does not amount to so much as one penny per grain. Estimating the annual production of pale ale in Burton as