400 MEALS MEDICINAL. 
known as purl. This term Wormwood seems to be also 
connected with a property of expelling worms. The smell 
of common Wormwood is very refreshing, and its reviving 
qualities in heated courts are almost equal to a change of air. 
As a result of his experiments on animals, Dr. Maignan 
concludes that Absinthe (concocted from Wormwood) deter- 
mines tremblings, dulness of thought, and epileptiform con- 
vulsions, if it be taken habitually, or to any excess; and 
these symptoms will not be produced by alcohol alone. 
Hence it is to be inferred that Absinthe contains really a 
narcotic poison, which should prevent its being employed 
as a dietetic liqueur, or as an indulgence, with any freedom. 
The French have been drinking their “ Amers ”’ for many years, 
and an infernal concoction it is. ‘‘ This habit,’ said Daudet, 
“was acquired by the French soldiers in Algeria, and Tunis, 
during the wars there, and was brought back by them to their | 
own country ; before which wars the French were a very sober 
people.” Dr. Laborde attributes the special dangers of drinking 
Absinthe to the various essences which are added to the alcohol 
(of 70 per cent strength), such as essence of absinthe, of china 
anise, and of benjamin; fourteen distinct poisons entering into” 
the composition of the superior Absinthe liqueur which is retailed 
at the best cafés. ‘* Absinthe has not become common so far 
with the people in England, but it will do so before long it the 
growing evil be not promptly checked; the importation of 
Absinthe into this country should be stopped before such a 
prohibition becomes too late.” 
Sixty or seventy years ago the Mugwort of our hedgerows, 
and waste grounds, which is closely allied to Wormwood, (but 
lacking the volatile essential oil thereof), had its dried leaves 
substituted for tea of foreign growth by the working classes In 
Cornwall. Tea itself then cost seven shillings a pound, and was 
therefore afforded by them only for use on very special occasions, 
one being when there was an increase in the family. Sometimes 
a burnt crust of cake was got as a substitute for tea, either irom 
the Squire’s Hall, or the Vicarage, or a farmhouse, and an mfusion 
called tea was brewed from this; or a charred crust of wheaten 
bread, when it could be had, sufficed fora day or two to concoct 
the brew. The flesh of geese is declared to be more savoury 
when stuffed with Mugwort (which contains “ absinthin,” and 
is scentless). The Mermaid of the Clyde is said to have exclaimed 
