Allsopp's pale or bitter ale : remarks upon the alleged use of strychnine in the manufacture of pale ale / by Baron Liebig (in a letter to Henry Allsopp, Esq., Burton-on-Trent.).

  • Liebig, Justus, Freiherr von, 1803-1873.
Date:
1852]
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Allsopp's pale or bitter ale : remarks upon the alleged use of strychnine in the manufacture of pale ale / by Baron Liebig (in a letter to Henry Allsopp, Esq., Burton-on-Trent.). Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    8 most minute quantity of strychnine contained in beer. I have satis¬ fied myself of the great convenience and accuracy of their method, and have farther assured myself, by an analysis of several specimens of pale ale obtained from London houses, supplied by your establishment, 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 examination 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 nux 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 l;as lately been introduced into commerce. The specimens of your pale ale sent to me, have afforded me another opportunity of confirming its valuable qualities. I am myself an admirer of this beverage, and my own experience 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. JUSTUS LIEBIG. Giessen, May 6, 1852.