The London "gin Epidemic", or As drunkenness nearly destroyed the Kingdom

England was repeatedly devastated by the epidemic, therefore, plague, cholera and smallpox until the late 19th century was perceived by the islanders as a necessary evil. But there were in Albion epidemics and other plan involving the bacteria and viruses, and with the greed, stupidity and licentiousness of the people. One of them, ruthless and deadly, nearly devastated the country in the 18th century, and the causative agent of "disease" became... cheap gin.

These events dealt a serious blow to the economy and demography of Britain — no wonder they are called "gin Epidemic". It all started in the capital of the Kingdom, which, thanks to Gina, a few months turned into scenery for horror movies. Cheap, almost free swill poured into a river, displacing the traditional brandy, beer and ale, and at the same time the conscience and shame.

Vintage camera for sale Gina

The streets flowed the blood of drunken stabbing his mother sold children for a bottle, and the bodies of the dead and while death carried to the cemetery of all carts. The poor suburbs of London were more dangerous Indian-infested prairies of the New world, and wealthy citizens chose to move surrounded by the thick squares of heavily armed bodyguards.

It all began as usual — with good intentions. Until the early 18th century a drink British beer. Ruddy yeomen worked on their farms, and in the stinking mud of the gorge, city streets they can be lure only during fairs and coronations.

But in the 18th century came the industrialization and London, Liverpool, Birmingham and other major cities began to emerge as industrial centres. Mills and factories needed workers hands and into the cities in search of a better life, rushed the crowd of villagers.

William III of orange

In London, hundreds of thousands of peasants whom the city was devoured without a trace, in the form of the picturesque slums. First, in the haunts of the capital drank beer and cheap French brandy, but that all changed after a king was the Dutchman William of orange.

England became the best ally of Holland, and the customs of this country began to actively penetrate into the life of the British. Once close in spirit to the French began to drift away, aided by religious and political conflicts. Drink brandy was not Patriotic and the alcohol gradually began to lose its popularity. Since whiskey was still not held in high esteem, the scene of the French drink began to take Dutch gin.

Some look so shop for the production of a good gin

Drink with the unusual smell of juniper fell to the British liking and barrels of gin took pride of place on the shelves of the pubs and restaurants. It could be decorous, as before, if the alcoholic cases are not intervened by the British Parliament. As relations with France deteriorated irrevocably, the lords finally decided to squeeze the brandy from the English market and replace it with Dutch gin.

On French brandy imposed such draconian duties that the public drink in England has been a dream. Parallel to the pressed levies and local brewers, on the grounds that the production of beer puts too much grain. But exporters and producers Gina gave the "green road" by assigning them a nominal tax.

For the production of gin was good the grain is of poor quality and even that got corrupted in the bins pressed against the brewers taxes. Dutch swipes started to produce in industrial scale and grain that is spared for beer, was not enough.

Vintage caricature showing the sellers of gin and their clients

The London slums plunged into binge drinking because gin cost a mere pittance. On the signs of London taverns of the time were adorned with the alluring inscription: "Drunk for a penny, deadly to drink for two! Free straw!". Straw was necessary for those who could not with their feet to leave the place of drinking, and there were many.

Coming to the capital in search of a better life, farmers have not tried before, and Gina had not the slightest culture of drinking. Gin they served pints as beer is usually served, and the poor fellow was a drunkard in a matter of days.

Gin in those days was done at the simple, imported from Holland technology. First distilled barley beer, as is done for whiskey, and then the composition was diluted with water and aromatic sabrepulse kit, which had been based on juniper berries. The resulting liquid is again distilled, making an aromatic drink with a strength of 30 degrees.

The atmosphere of London since the "gin Epidemic" is impressive

But this classic recipe soon became modernized, and eventually Jean began to drive out any trash. Sometimes it was even chicken manure and turpentine, which is added for strength. Sometimes the stuff was so ugly that he refused to drink even for free. Then he added a little sugar and the consumer was just.

Since it is believed that sweet gin is a product of low quality and respect themselves and companions Englishman a drink on the table not put. From surrogate alcohol people died, went crazy and went to the most heinous crimes. Lost the shame and sense of self — drunks laid in restaurants clothes and thousands froze to death in the London streets. Roughly the same happened in other big cities of the Kingdom and some small.

Seasoned Londoners shook act a certain Judith Defor. This lady got her baby clothes to a charitable organization, but then it is cut in a pub and the baby was strangled. Her hastily tried and hanged on the gallows near the same lost human face because of the alcohol citizens.

William Hogarth, "gin Street". There is typical area propety through the London slums

In the end, Parliament recently to promote gin on the market, recognized for its "root cause of all the Vice and debauchery committed among the inferior people". In 1730-ies, 20 years after the beginning of a strange epidemic, the Parliament decided to deal with the phenomenon which he himself had generated.

Gene introduced excise taxes raised, and on illegal producers and traders began to organize entire raids. But London could not without Gina and his bottom began to actively resist. The cops that came to the RAID, flying stones, and state inspectors and informants cut in the doorways.

Started a riot and mob mob seriously planned to storm Parliament, which prevented her to drink. However, it did not come, but to calm the slum dwellers finally succeeded only after 20 years. If you think that it was a war of sobriety with a blemish — you are deeply mistaken. In this war fought to the death in two models of alcoholism.

The same William Hogarth, "beer Street". Shown here fans foam — respectable and complacent

On the one hand consumers were stinking of gin, and with other lovers of traditional English beer. Gin with turpentine was a symbol of barbarism and poverty, and the beer represented the middle class, loyal to the authorities and regularly attend Church. So what about the sobriety of the conversation was not one drink again fight was replaced by another, with an eye to the interests of someone else.

Gin with turpentine, by the way, not the most exotic drink. The world is drink and more unusual recipes.