European scientists puzzled over Russian alcoholism
European scientists with sinking heart look at Russian man drinking a full glass of blue liquid. He is pleased and? fills another glass.
"But this is after shave lotion!" - scientist is shocked. Russian man answers: "No this is just liquid for bath cleanser!" Then man get out of the table, goes to oven but takes false step and falls down on the floor like a sack.
This is an approximate animated cartoon of any foreign guest coming to Russia. Meanwhile alcoholism in Russia turned out to real disaster as scientists from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine think. Researchers from School are worried and shocked that Russian men living in industrial centers of Russia drink so-called "surrogate" alcohol of low quality and unknown content.
"During last 10 years we tried to find cause of male death-rate growth in Russia. We observed how men in Izhevsk live. Of course, we got used to the fact that Russians abuse alcohol but we were shocked that 7% of men drink liquid that contains alcohol but are not meant for drinking".
Today European scientists can suggest classification of "surrogate drink" which is a "model of Russian alcoholism" in a sense. From variety of poison which Russian drink despite everything 3 groups can be distinguished: home-made drinks called samogon, medical liquids (vegetable medicine is the most popular), and other liquids (basically after shave lotions and cleansers).
"We found out that content of ethyl alcohol in "home-made" drinks is about the same as ordinary vodka but they also contain many other toxic harmful substances which vodka doesn`t have!"
In scientist`s opinion, now when Russia has health crisis and people have to stay at home sick, without job, they find their rescue in alcohol. "Alcohol is just a way to refuse from realty".
Professors hope that Russian government will solve this problem soon.
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