OF PONTARILER (DOUBS)
Because, as in the time of Moliere, the
doctors are seldom of the same opinion, fans of the famous
liqueur may be reassured by the surprising dissension
among the opinions of these messieurs.
While some, as a result of completely conclusive
experiments (according to them), show anise and fennel to
be the cause of the cerebral disorders noticed in the
drinkers, absolving the wormwood plant, others, by
experiments quite as conclusive, announce on the contrary
the latter as the only culprit and restore anise and fennel to
their primitive innocence.
Which of them are right? Which are wrong? That is what
the man on the street wants to know and these fundamental
differences are not likely to inspire him to great confidence in
the allegations of one or the others. In the end, the way in
which the famous experiments are done and the conclusions
reached are such that it is hardly possible to take them
seriously.
In effect, how does one seek to prove the toxic
properties of anise essence or wormwood essence? One
introduces into a guinea pig, by means of subcutaneous
injections, one gram of essence; the animal is found to be
stressed; sometimes he dies shortly after the operation; the
demonstration is made and everyone must be convinced
that either anise, or wormwood is a dangerous poison.
