Adulteration of Pale Ales by Strychnine. 273 



for detecting the most minute quantity of strychnine con- 

 tained in beer. I have satisfied myself of the great con- 

 venience and accuracy of their method, and have further 

 assured myself, by an analysis of several specimens of pale 

 ale obtained from London houses, supplied by your establish- 

 ment, of the utter groundlessness of the imputation, that this 

 beer was poisoned with strychnine. I am positive, and am 

 supported in my views by the concordant analyses of all 

 chemists who have occupied themselves with the examina- 

 tion of beer, that the poisoning of pale ale with strychnine 

 has never occurred. I believe I may safely add, that it 

 never will take place ; for although an ignorant brewer 

 might be induced from interested motives to add Nuoc 

 vomica to his beer, the word strychnine so forcibly suggests 

 one of the most virulent poisons, that whoever has heard 

 anything about strychnine at all, is sure to be aware of this. 

 By adulterating his beer with strychnine, the brewer would 

 be knowingly committing a crime which, in the present state 

 of science, must be followed by immediate detection and 

 punishment. 



" Mr E. Merck of Darmstadt, one of the most extensive 

 strychnine manufacturers in Europe, informs me that this 

 substance is peculiarly adapted to destroy vermin of all 

 kinds. In many parts of Germany it is the popular poison 

 for rats and mice. This fact fully accounts for the large 

 amount of the drug that has lately been introduced into 

 commerce. 



" The specimens of your pale ale sent to me have afforded 

 another opportunity of confirming its valuable qualities. I 

 am myself an admirer of this beverage, and my own expe- 

 rience enables me to recommend it, in accordance with the 

 opinion of the most eminent English physicians, as a very 

 agreeable and efficient tonic, and as a general beverage both 

 for the invalid and the robust. Haw d 



« Justus Liebig." 



« Giessen, May 6, 1852." ■..jrocfowq Qfft 



