Portland gazette and Maine advertiser. (Portland, Me.) 1805-1818, 1816-06-18
MEssRs. PRINTERS,

MEssRs. PRINTERS,
If you should think the following observations
on distilled spirits, may be, in any measure useful,
you will please to publish them in the Portland
Gazette.
The art Of procuring ardent spirits by dsiilation
was an invocation Of the Arabians, GO century or
two, according to DR.. Waterhouse. after the death
of Mahomet," who died in $50. But so sensible
were these Mahometaus of the destructive effects of
spurious liquors, that their was prohibited even
by their own laws.
A considerable time had elapsed before Distilled
spirits were introduced among the European ma
tons; aud they were very sparingly used for
raj centuries. Then people in general were ex-
empted from raging diseases both OF body and mind.
In process OF time however, when distilled spirits
were freely taken, il was observed that new dis
eases appeared and such disorders as had been mild
aud tractable, became formidable and alarming
This observation is considered as not being nap-
plicabe to the inhabitants Of America.
Distilled spirits were seldom prescribed, by ply
scians, medicine, till about fhe year 1880, when
DIR John Brown of Scotland, who afflicted
with the gsut, had recourse to ardent spirits as a
remedy; and finding some temporary relief, though
they ultimately proved TO be very injurious to his
constitution, well as Intellectual faculty. wrote
treatise on medicine, in which he recommended
ardent spirits, remedies for all diseases of debility
or deficient vital energy which he supposed compo.
sed 80 out OF 100 leaving but solitary disease,
in which depicting means were required .--This
doctrine soon spread fa. aid wide, and was atten-
ded with very unhappy Consequences, as appears by
declaration which has lately been ulade By HE
college of physicians in Edinburgh, viz. " that the
Brunonian doctrine il is termed, has proved the
cause OF destroying thousands of lives"
In second edition, DR.. Brown in one of his
excentric sallies,' to Use the words of DR.. Ram
say, in his century Grafton, roundy asserted that
distilled spirits were proper in hea IN. This pos ton
met With favourable reception, and imbbed by
maay; so that towards tie close of the eighteenth
c cntury, they became fashionable drink, even 10
polite circles, where, If person should refuse
take ardent spirits, he would be thought very sin.
gular, aud unfit to associate With the refined In
taste.
About the year 1920, Dr.. Rush being fully sens
BILE of the bad effects Of this doctrine aud practice
published treatise the injurious effects of spir-
tous liquors upon the body and mind, in which he
assu.ned confidence enough to restrict the use OF
dent spirits to two case. only, viz. where the body
has been exhausted by any causes and iaintness
stoppage In the Circulation Of the blood had Ia
ken place.
81. Where the body has long been exposed to
wet weather con oi0ed with cold. In these cases
he admitted moderate quantity. Many, howev-
err, who were advocates for DIR. Rush's essay, took
their to ali the varied degrees of exhaustion and
debility; So that they continued to be emplos cd
even by those who were called temperate not al
lowing thee selves to use ardent spirits in excessive
Ru. the example OF these was such,
that inconsiderate people made liberal use OF
them,greatly to the injury of body and mind.
Towards the close Of the eighteenth century, il
was maintained by Physicians IN New-England.
that distilled spirits were improper in health and
important and interesting positions, BY every lover
of mankind and friend TO the good OF society.
In 1876, Physician in Boston of great expert
ence and accurate observation wrote thus To med
zeal friend in Maine, who requested his advice in a
of debility and indigestion, where brandy had
been used as a medicine.
- LIN oil cases OF debility deficient vital energy
stimulants are required but Rot distilled spirits,
which overcast and debitate the system. We are
furnished with substitutes calculated to answer much
better purposes, without inducing any bad effects
such as ginger mustard and horse-radish with 9TH
er articles OF this class. These viii excite the vita
energy when deficient, aud be productive of sauta-
ry effects whereas ardent spirits destroy the a,
gestiae powers, enervaie the body and derange the
nIind.'
About the same time, Dr. Rush, upon furthe,
consideration, gave 1t his opinion that disili,
spirits might be dispensed WITH even in those states
Of The body in which he hau believed them 10 be
useful as we were So abundantly furnished With
substitutes.
Among these, wine is admitted under certain ca.
cumstaacss of body. And tins occords with st.
Paui's advice to Timothy respecting this article.
But the inc OF the anolents,' saysDr Water
house, "was very dliiefen, thing from me Wa
draek by the English, Irish aud americans -
The wines of the ancients the pure juice u tie
grape, rendered active by erm' NATION; Tor they
totally ignorant of ardent SPIRITS hereas puF
strongest wines contain a fourth part OF this hei,
spirit, while many Of the cheap ones are vile