366 
THE LAW AFFECTING METHYLATED MEDICINES. 
used eitlier as a beverage, or internally as a medicine. Tbe Act states tliat 
“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, composi¬ 
tion, or preparation whereof any methylated spirit, or any derivative thereof, 
shall have been used, lie shall forfeit the sum of one hundeed pounds, and 
such article shall be forfeited, together with the vessels or packages contain¬ 
ing the same.” Immediately after the passing of the Act an oedee was 
issued by the authorities at Somerset House, in which it was stated, that 
those persons who had methylated medicines, the production and sale of 
which had been prohibited, would not be interfered with by the Hoard, pro¬ 
vided it could be proved that such medicines were made before the passing 
of tlie Act, and provided that they were disposed of before the 1st of January, 
1867. The period from the passing the Act up to the present time has there¬ 
fore been allowed for those who had methylated medicines in stock, to get rid 
of them. It is to be hoped that this has been completely accomplished, and 
that there will be no occasion to put the law into force, to the injury of any of 
our members, and to the discredit of the body to which they belong. 
The following correspondence, which has been sent to us for publication, 
will serve, in addition to what we have previously published, to explain the 
existing regulations relating to the sale and use of methylated spirit:— 
“ To William Cokbett, Esq. 
“ Sir,—Will you have the kindness to inform me— 
“ 1st. If it will he allowable, after the 1st January, 1867, to use methylated spirit for 
burning in lamps without an authorization ? 
“2ndly. Will an authorization be required to sell preparations for external use made 
with methylated spirit? 
“3rdly. Will an authorization be required to malce preparations for external use, in 
large or small quantities, with methylated spirit, and to keep the spirit in stock for that 
purpose ? 
“4thly. Will it be allowable to make preparations for internal administration to ani¬ 
mals with methylated spirit, either with or without an authorization ? 
“ Your reply will oblige, 
“ Yours truly, 
“ John Horncastlf.” 
Copt of Eeply. 
“ Inland Revenue, Somerset House, London, W. C. 
llth December, 1866. 
“ Sir,—The Secretary hewing laid before the Board your letter of the 12th instant, 
I am directed to acquaint you that— 
“ 1. Methylated spirit may, after the 31st, be used, without any special authority, for 
burning in lamps. 
“ 2. No special authority will be required for selling such medicines for external use, 
as have been made with methylated spirit, and are not capable of being used internally * 
or as beverages. 
“ 3.^ Methjdated spirit may after the 31st be kept in stock, and used in making such 
medicines as above named, under the regulations now in force. 
“ 4. Medicines for internal administration to animals must not be made with methy¬ 
lated spirit. 
“ Jo7m Ilorncastle, Esq., 
“12, Stan!,ope Terre C 2 , Hyde Park Gardens! 
“ I am. Sir, your obedient servant, 
“ AD..VM Young, Assistant-Secretary. 
