>> I think one of the previous postings mentioned alcohol, which of
>> course is what mentholated spirits really is -- sold many years ago
>> as "White Meth's" and as such was consumed in large quantities by
>> tramps and bums.  Later a purple dye was added to discourage this,
>> although it does taste just the same with the dye.


And even a small amount will make you very sick.  This is the only
reason I'm being pedantic here: the proper name is 'methylated
spirits.'  It's a mixture of 95% ethyl alcohol, which you can drink,
plus 5% methyl alcohol, of which a very small dose will blind and
cripple you for life.  There is no antidote: the nerve damage cannot
be arrested.

It's an occupational safety issue, especially if your shop is visited
by hangers-on and/or small children.  Have a look at
http://adunk.ozehosting.com/metho.html and then have a look out in
your workshop to make sure that your various chemicals are inaccessible
to grandchildren.

Little kids just old enough to walk will drink out of any sort of
container regardless of the color or smell of the contents, and they'll
do it very quickly when you're not looking.  Please be careful.

Mark Kinsler

 [ 'Ethanol' and 'methanol' are contractions of the terms.  -- Robbie