Bottled beers may be stored in dirty, dusty warehouses and depot yards, perhaps the refuge of disease-infested rodents and other germ-ridden vermin. The sole function in life of these creatures consists of scavenging, devouring and defæcating. Where might they do this as they run across the stacked crates of bottles? Do they care?
Meanwhile at the pub the crates can be stored outside in yards, just the place where a dog might be exercised - and where the corner of anything is at risk of a cocked leg or a wet nose that has examined other none too salubrious objects. And if not the dog, perhaps the local cats? Pigeons also leave calling cards around too.
So are the bottles then washed and fully sterilised? Are all the bugs, germs and diseases killed and removed before they reach the shelf behind the bar and before they are so tantalisingly placed in front of you, the discerning cool, hip-man customer? Do you know? Give your look-at-me shades a wriggle and think about it.
Next time you drink from the neck ask yourself if the taste is right (unfortunately if it's a lager you might not be able to tell!).
Beer Lines fully supports the choice of the drinker to consume direct from the bottle if they so wish.
We hope you enjoy your drink...
*Wiel's Disease (appropriately pronounced Viles) is carried by rodents. If you catch it you have a high
chance of dying! Not many older people drink direct from bottles. The choice really is yours.
(Linda Jones) Yellow jaundice is caused by liver dysfunction. Black Jaundice is a common term for Wiel's Disease. It is quite common in northeast England near mines, farms, and sewage floats in the water. It is caused by a micro-organism and thus is a bacterial infection (of the liver) and NOT a virus, as in hepatitis. WIEL's Disease turns the skin a dark yellow; compound this with coal dust and/or the sun and it can make the skin look very dark. It is carried by rats and secreted in their urine. It is usually not fatal, in present time, to humans. It is, however, rapidly fatal to dogs and cats, who can eventually gain a resistance, but either way can pass it on.
Dr. Diane Menghetti (Diane.Menghetti@jcu.edu.au) is known internationally for her publications on the
history of radical politics, mining and migrant history. She has over twenty-five years secondary and
tertiary teaching experience. Prior to taking up a lectureship at James Cook University in 1988, she was
Assistant Director, New Schools Unit, Commonwealth Schools Commission. Since 1988 she has directed
the James Cook Oral History Project, an innovative program involving the collection and
computerisation of oral evidence of life in North Queensland. She has integrated the use of computers
and new information technologies within her teaching of Australian history and Heritage management.
She is an editor of Clionet: the Australian Electronic Journal of History, and a founding editor of H-NZ-OZ,
now H-ANZAU. Relevant publications and papers include: '"Rats in the Sugar":
The Wiel's Disease Strike of 1935',
in D.J. Murphy (ed.), The Big Strikes: Queensland 1889-1965 (Brisbane, 1983); 'Health and Safety
in a North Queensland Mining Town', First International Mining History Conference, Melbourne University,
August 1985; Ravenswood: Five Heritage Trials (Townsville, 1992). In 1993 this book was nominated for the
National Trust's John Herbert Award for an educational project.
Select any highlighted text below for more details.** means a recent update
1.Turkey - Besinci Mevsim - Sebnem Paker Pictures!
2.United Kingdom - Just a little bit - Gina G. - Pictures!
3.Spain - Ay! Que deseo! - Antonio Carbonelle
4.Portugal - O Meu Coraçáo Não Tem Cor - Lucia Moniz - Pictures!
5.Cyprus - Mono gia mas - Contantinos.- Pictures!
6.Malta - In A Woman's Heart - Miriam Christine Borg - now with a picture!
7.Croatia - Sveta ljubavi - Maja Blagdan. ** Seven pictures!(50K), and a full report now on this link!
8.Austria - Wiel's da guet got - George Nussbaumer
9.Switzerland - Mon coeur l'aime(My heart loves him) - Cathy Leander
10.Greece - Emis forame to himona anixiatika - Marianna Efstratiou(from '89 contest), written by
Kostas Bigalis (from '94) and Iro Trigoni.
11.Estonia - Kaelakee Hääl - Ivo Linna & Marja-Liis Picture on this link
12.Norway - I evighet - Elisabeth Andreassen Picture now on this link!
13.France - Diwanit bugale - Dan 'Ar' Braz
14.Slovenia - Dan najlepsih sanj - Regina**Picture now on this link!
15.The Netherlands - De eerste keer - Maxine & Franklin Brown Picture now!
16.Belgium - Liefde is een kaartspel - Lisa Del Bo ** Scores and report and picture now on this link
17.Ireland - The Voice - Eimear Quinn ** picture now!
18.Finland - Niin kaunis on taivas - Jasmine - Pictures!
19.Iceland - Shu-bi-du - Annamjoel Olafsdottir
20.Poland - Chce znac swoj grzech - Kasia Kowalski
21.Bosnia - Za nasu ljubav - Amila Glamocak
22.Slovakia - Kym nas mas - MC Erik & Barbara
23.Sweden - Den Vilda - One More Time - Finally my special report with pictures!
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