The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1829-12-23
From the Journal Of Health.
WATER AS A DRINK

opinion, pure water. The use of il is 81
general, and so necessary to US all, that we
can neither live, nor preserve our bodie.
sound and healthy without it."
Water IS the natural drink of plants and
animals of every description, and is the only
article which can fulfil those ends for which
the Introduction of liquid into the human
system is demanded. Its use is equally
adapted to every age and temperament te
every season and climate. 1t facilitates di.
gestion, and, by its fuidity and mildaess
promotes that free and equable circulation
OF the blood and humors through all the yes.
sells OF the body, upon which the due per.
Torrance of every animal function depends
Hence, In physical strength, in the cana.
bllity of enduring labor and fatigue. in tbs
vlgor and clearness of the intellectual pow
ers, the individuals whose drink is confined
entirely to water, far exceed those who sub
stltnte for the pure clement distilled or fer
mented liquors.
"Their equal days
Feel not tn alternate fits of feverish mirth,
| And sick detection.
! Blest with Divine immunity from ais
Long centuries they live; their only fate
lsrlpe old age, and rather sleep than DEATH
Errors in regard to drink constitute one
OF the causes to which, in great measure,
are to be attributed the increase of disease
as society advances in refinement and luxu-
ny. 1t has been computed, that since the
introduction OF ardent spirits into common
use, more victims have fallen by it alone.
than by the sword and pestilence within the
same period.
belief is entertained by many that there
are certain circumstances, however. which
render the latter preferable drink to pure
water. Ardent spirits are supposed useful
to preserve the system from the effects of
cold and dampness. The very contrary is
the fact. Though an individual, while un-
der the immediate excitement of the intoxi-
eating draught, may perhaps expose himself
with IMMUNITY to degree of GOODNESS and
moisture, which would be injurious under
other circumstances, yet when the stimulat-
ing effects OF the liquor have passed away,
his system is left in condition far more
subject to their deleterious influence than is
that OF the man habitually sober.
10 drink water during hot weather, or in
warm climates. would, it is imagined, Law
the system open to the attacks of disease,
while contrary effect is ascribed to the
use of ardent spirits. Experience has, how
ever, proved that the latter augment, in
stead of diminishing the pernicious infiu-
ence of extreme heat. "Rum," saws DIR.
Bell, "whether used habitually, moderate
ly, or In excessive quantities, in the West
Indies, always diminishes the strength of
the body, and renders men more susceptible
of disease, and unfit for any service in which
vigor or activity is required" Rush very
APPLY remarks, that we might as we'll throw
oil into a house, the roof of which was on
fire, In order to prevent the flames from ex-
tending to its inside, as to pour ardent spir-
its into the stomach to lessen the effects of
hot sun upon the skin.
g have known" says the same author.
"many instances of persons who have fol-
lowed the most laborious employment for
many years, in the open air, and in warm
and cold weather, who never drank anv
thing but water, and enjoyed uninterrupted
good health" DR.. Mosely, who resided
many years in the West Indies. confirms
this remark. 81 aver" says the Doctor.
from my own knowledge and custom. as
we'll as the custom and observations of manv
other people, that those who drink nothing
but water, or make it their principal drink,
are but little affected by the climate, and
can undergo the greatest fatigue without
inconvenience, and are never subject to
troublesome or dangerous diseases
The instances in which sudden death has
occurred from drinking cold water during
heated condition of the body, may probably
be urged in proof of the necessity of tenn
perlng the water with a portion of ardent
spirits; 1t Is to be remarked, however, that
1t has been found from observation, that the
injurious effects of cold water, under the
circumstances here referred to, occur prin
cipally or almost exclusively in those indi-
viduals who are habitually Incorporate.
We have spoken above of water as
means of preserving health and of wardinr
off the attacks of disease. The following
fact from the page of ancient history, will
show its powers as a restorative means.
Pomponius Atticus, the friend of Cicero.
to whom so many works and letters of the
latter are addressed, whilst laboring under
that uncomfortable state Of the mind pro-
duced by disease of the stomach, became
disguised with life, and resolved to DESTROY
himself. He called together his relations
and friends, to communicate to them his de-
sign, and to consult with them upon the spe-
cies of death he should make choice of.
Agrippa, his son-in-law, not daring openly
to oppose his resolution, persuaded him 10
destroy himself by famine; advising him,
however, to make use of little water TO
alleviate the sufferings which would at first
result from entire abstinence. Atticus COM
menced this regimen, whilst he conversed
with his family, philosophical with his init
mate friends, and passed many days in thus
preparing himself for death. This, howev-
err, did not occur. On the contrary, by re-
stricting himself solely to water as his only
nourishment, the pains of the stomach and
bowels, by which he had been previously
toimented, ceased and he speedily felt
himself improved IN health, and more tran
quill in mind. Agrippa now attempted to
convince him, that as the disease under
which he had labored was happily removed,
he ought to renounce his design of putting
a periodic his existence. Atticus confessed,
at length, the business OF his son-in-law's