"Authority intoxicates, / And makes mere sots of magistrates; / The ____ of it invade the brain” (Samuel Butler) (5)

I believe the answer is:

fumes

(Other definitions for fumes that I've seen before include "Seethes with anger - or smoke" , "Gas vapours" , "Smokes; rages" , "Smoulders or smokes" , "Gases ejected as waste products" .)

I've seen this clue in The Times.

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