Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1831-06-30
ADDRESS ON TEMPERANCE.
ny DIR. USHER PARSONS.
[C'onclu,lcd.l

DIotu NcSSclS, lncTc uT0 otHtIS tndt pro-
coed from its sympathy with internal or
gans, that have been disordcred by in
temperance. The bubucklcs, whclks,
and rosy drops, or rum blossoms, that so
often cmboss the checks of the drunkard,
and which Falstaif ludicrously notices
upon the face of Bardolph, are referred
by physicians to disordcrcd state of the
liver They seem to be like rcd flags
hoisted out upon the ramparts of the
fortress by an enemy within, to denote
that he holds entire and undisputcd
possession of the castle.
g. The Brain. This organ prcsidcs
over all the physical and intellectual
energies of man. Not muscle can
be moved, nor an impression felt, nor a
volition cXertcd where the brain ceases
to perform its functions, or where its
nervous communications are interrupted.
Ardent spirit acts upon the brain, first,
through the medium of the circulation.
In some cases the liquor has been de-
tccted in the cavities Of the brain" In
most instances Of intOxication, there is
probably mere or less Of the spirit abb
sOrbed from the stomach, and carried
thithcr in diluted state. Secondly,
it acts upon the brain through the
medium Of nervous commune icatiOn.-
The immediate cxhilaration from glass
of spirit, is too sudden to admit Of absorp-
ton, and transmission through the cir
,culation. Thirdly, ardent spirit acts up
on the brain, though somewhat tardiIy,
and indirectly, through the medium Of its
sympathy with the liver. The indirect
debility and torpor that follow fit Of fin
toxication, extend their influence to the
brain, darkcning the mind with gloom
and melancholy, and impairing all the
muscular energies of the system. But
leaving the further consideration Of its
mode Of operation, we all know from
daily observation that trembling hand,
tagging Of the strength, stiffness the
joints, and mental imbccility, are the
inevitable consequences of the abuse of
ardent spirits, "that the morning finds
the nerves run down and unfit for excr-
else, till wound up by u potent glass of
stimulus"
There is no truth in the vulgar saying,
that the healthy laborer requires the
stimulation of ardent spirits. They only
transicntly rouse the physical powers,
with the certainty of being succeeded
by corresponding languor and debility,
and the same course must bo resorted to
again and again, to maintain the ordina-
ry standard, "till finally nearly all pow
or becomes dependant on artificial slim
ulation." Those who have fairly made
tho experiment, and whose jud gment is
consequently most to be relied on, tell us
that the use of ardent spirits long perss-
ted in, wears out life, and that it hastens
exhaustion; even under a single trial OF
strcngth Let q ships crew be station
cd at the pumps, to work or sink in the mid
ocean, and those who nerve their arms
with such artificial excitement, will be
the first to flag and drop at their stations,
while the man who abstains entirely, will
hold out to the last. will however add,
that the strength is longest preserved un-
der such trying circumstances, by the
tonic power of hot coffee. This fact has
been ascertainod by repeated trial
That single glass or two of distilled
liquor may be taken without much harm,
by healthy laborer, is not denied
But it does no good, and is laying the
foundation Of Incorporate habits. Be-
sides it is impossible to confinc him to that
quantity. TO derive the pleasing and
exhilarating effects first produced, the
quantity must be daily augmented; "for
"a thousand facts teach US that our vital
organs respond less and less readily and
powerfully to the action Of such stimu-
lants, in proportion to the frequency of
their application"
Happy would it be if the effects Of in
temperance on the brain were confined
to the physical energies of man. 1t is
his noblcr faculties that are assallcd and
overthrown; those faculties that raise
him above the brute, and make him lord
of this world, and which in this life are
but 'in their bud Of being The records
of insane hospitals present irighttul ro-
port Of the numbers consigned to their
wretchcd abodcs, who by adopting the
rules of our society, might have contin-
ucd blessing to friends and an orna-
mcnt to society. Nearly half of the mis-
cradle beings confined in those cells,
were the victims of intcmpcrancc, in
duccd in some instances, by resort'ng to
distilled liquors, az a fallacious palliative
for grief, under aflliction or disappolnt-
ment; and in others by scottish habit
ofdrinking alone, without even any such
poor excuse, to excite our sympathies.-
Besides these lamentablc cases OF per-
mancnt arrangement, there is a more
acute and fatal d;ec,ae called dcIirium