50 PROHIBITION OF THE ESE OF METHYLATED SPIRIT IN MEDICINE. 
blit those clauses were found to have a very important bearing, and to admit of 
an interpretation that would prevent the use of methylated spirit in the manu¬ 
facture of strychnia and other medicines in the production of which the cheap 
spirit is employed with advantage, and without any of the evils complained of 
ill other cases. Several interviews have taken place between the President, 
together with Mr. Morson and the Secretary of the Pharmaceutical Society, and 
those who originated and have charge of the Bill, and a modification has in con¬ 
sequence been made in the clauses as they originally stood, with the view of 
removing the defects referred to. The clauses, in their amended form, are as 
follows:— 
“ 8. No person shall use methylated spirit, or any derivative thereof, in the 
manufacture, composition, or preparation of any article whatsoever capable of 
being used, either wholly or partially, as a? beverage or internally as a medicine; 
and if any person shall use methylated spirit, or any derivative thereof, in the 
manufacture, composition, or preparation of any article as aforesaid, or shall sell 
or have in his possession any such article in the manufacture, composition, or 
preparation whereof any methylated spirit, or any derivative thereof, shall have 
been used, he shall forfeit the sum of One hundred pounds, and such article 
shall be forfeited, together with the vessels or packages containing the same. 
Provided always, that nothing herein contained shall apply to the use of methy¬ 
lated spirit, or any derivative thereof, in the manufacture, composition, or pre¬ 
paration of sulphuric ether or chloroform, or prevent the sale or possession of 
any sulphuric ether or chloroform. Provided also, that nothing herein contained 
shall prejudice or affect the power of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue to 
allow methylated spirit to he used hy such persons as they may authorize in such 
hranclies of the arts and manufactures of the United Kingdom as the said Com¬ 
missioners may sanction or approve. 
“9. If any person shall, after any methylated spirit shall have been mixed with 
gum-resin for forming the mixture known as ‘‘Finish,” or any like mixture, 
separate the ■gum-resin from the said methylated spirit, or alter the said mixture 
in any manner except by adding thereto a further quantity of gum-resin, or any 
article for the sole purpose of colouring the same, he shall forfeit the sum of Two 
hundred pounds, and the said spirit and mixture respectively so separated or 
altered as aforesaid shall be forfeited, together with the vessels or other packages 
containing the same.” 
The words printed in italics have been introduced in Committee, and those in 
the eighth clause are intended to retain power in the hands of the Commissioners 
to authorize the use of methylated spirit in the manufacture of medicines, such 
as strychnia, where the spirit is not left as a component part of the product. 
There is no intention to interfere with the use of methylated spirit in any such 
manufactures, but only in those cases where the spirit is used as a solvent or 
menstruum and is retained in the product, such product being intended for in¬ 
ternal use either as a beverage or a medicine. All such applications of methy¬ 
lated spirit will be rendered illegal, and stringent measures will be adopted for 
suppressing them. We have always advocated the adoption of this course, and 
are glad to find the authorities at Somerset House prepared to carry out what 
has been repeatedly urged upon them as the only safe course for the protection 
of the public revenue, and also for the protection of the interests of pharmacy. 
The latter part of the eighth clause might perhaps have been made a little 
more explicit than it is, and it was suggested to the promoters of the Bill, that 
in allowing the use of methylated spirit for the manufacture of ether and chloro¬ 
form, it would be well to state that this Act was not to interfere with the use in 
medicine, as well as with the sale and possession of ether and chloroform made 
from methylated spirit. It is distinctly stated, however, by the authorities in 
Somerset House, that the clause as it stands is not intended or understood to 
limit in any way the use of methylated ether or chloroform. 
