| Published Scientific Papers on Thujone |
Absinthe
Published in Scientific American. New Series, Volume 20, Issue 14, Apr 3, 1869
Published in Scientific American. New Series, Volume 20, Issue 14, Apr 3, 1869
An brief early entry, notable for its reference to the presumed wormwood oil content of absinthe (20gr per 100l of alcohol, which
assuming wormwood oil is 60% thujone, equates to 84mg/l in 70% absinthe).
Absinthe.
It appears that until 1864 the belief that there was nothing injurious in absinthe except the alcohol, was general enough. In that year,
however, a mad doctor named Marce, communicated a paper to the Academy of Sciences, in which he demonstrated that the essence
of wormwood was contained in the liquor called absinthe, in the proportion of twenty grammes of essence to 100 liters of alcohol, and
argued that this essence had a peculiarly injurious effect on the brain. In 1867 a petition was presented to the Senate, praying that the
sale of absinthe might be absolutely forbidden. Nothing came of it; and now the question of absinthe~~ has been once more brought
forward by two physicians, MM. Magnan and Bouchereau, who, for the first time, have made regular scientific experiments with the
questionable stuff. The object of the experimentalists was to show what the effect of pure alcohol would be on a guinea-pig, and what
the effect of absinthe. With this view, they placed a guinea-pig under a glass case, with a saucer full of essence of wormwood by his
side, another gu,inea-pig being placed under another glass case with a saucer full of alcohol. The guinea-pig, who, so to say, was
being treated with absinthe, sniffed at the fumes, and for a few moments seemed, like the ordinary absinthe drinker, supremely happy.
Gradually, however, be became heavy and dull, and at last fell on his side, agitating his limbs convulsively, foaming at the mouth, and
presenting all the signs of epilepsy. The same epileptic symptoms were manifested on the part of a cat and rabbit, who, in a similar
manner, were made to inhale the fumes of absinthe.
assuming wormwood oil is 60% thujone, equates to 84mg/l in 70% absinthe).
Absinthe.
It appears that until 1864 the belief that there was nothing injurious in absinthe except the alcohol, was general enough. In that year,
however, a mad doctor named Marce, communicated a paper to the Academy of Sciences, in which he demonstrated that the essence
of wormwood was contained in the liquor called absinthe, in the proportion of twenty grammes of essence to 100 liters of alcohol, and
argued that this essence had a peculiarly injurious effect on the brain. In 1867 a petition was presented to the Senate, praying that the
sale of absinthe might be absolutely forbidden. Nothing came of it; and now the question of absinthe~~ has been once more brought
forward by two physicians, MM. Magnan and Bouchereau, who, for the first time, have made regular scientific experiments with the
questionable stuff. The object of the experimentalists was to show what the effect of pure alcohol would be on a guinea-pig, and what
the effect of absinthe. With this view, they placed a guinea-pig under a glass case, with a saucer full of essence of wormwood by his
side, another gu,inea-pig being placed under another glass case with a saucer full of alcohol. The guinea-pig, who, so to say, was
being treated with absinthe, sniffed at the fumes, and for a few moments seemed, like the ordinary absinthe drinker, supremely happy.
Gradually, however, be became heavy and dull, and at last fell on his side, agitating his limbs convulsively, foaming at the mouth, and
presenting all the signs of epilepsy. The same epileptic symptoms were manifested on the part of a cat and rabbit, who, in a similar
manner, were made to inhale the fumes of absinthe.
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
The Virtual Absinthe Museum
The centre for research into the history,
romance, literature and lore of absinthe.
The centre for research into the history,
romance, literature and lore of absinthe.
Absinthe Classics
For the finest modern
absinthes with
worldwide delivery.
For the finest modern
absinthes with
worldwide delivery.
Absinthe Originals
For authentic Belle Epoque era
absinthe antiques.
For authentic Belle Epoque era
absinthe antiques.
The Absinthe Spoon
The premier source for fine replica
spoons, glasses and fountains.
The premier source for fine replica
spoons, glasses and fountains.
| This website and all its contents Copyright 2002- 2008 Oxygenee Ltd. No pictures or text may be reproduced or used in any form without written permission of the site owner. |
| | | | | | | | |
