ABSINTHE

a liquor extensively drunk on the Continent, especially in France and Switzerland, and now largely exported to the United States. That of good quality consists of about 50% alcohol, distilled with absinthium or worm-wood and other herbs, such as balm, fennel, anise and hyssop, or their essential oils. To prepare it for drinking, the liquor is mixed with water, added drop by drop and permitted to fall from some height.

Absinthe drunkenness, or even continuous tippling, produces utter derangement of the digestive system, ending in paralysis.

The herb Absinthium is employed medicinally for its tonic properties.