21 OCTOBER 1871, Page 3

The Lancet calls attention to the enormous manufacture of the

new sedative drug, Chloral. It states that it is sold by tons a week, and quotes a letter from Baron Liebig, affirming that one German chemist manufactures and sells half a ton every week. Of course, no such quantity is used in medicine, and the Lancet seems half afraid that it gets into beer ; but there is a simpler ex- planation, as it will find on inquiry. Taking chloral is the new and popular vice, particularly among women, and is doing at least as much harm as alcohol. The drug is kept in thousands of dress- ing-cases, and those who begin its use often grow so addicted to it that they pass their lives in a sort of contented stupefaction. Chloral drunkards will soon be an admitted variety of the species.