Southern Argus. [volume] (Columbus, Miss.) 1834-1842, 1842-03-08
From the New. York Tribune.
TEMPERANCE LECTURE--BY
PROFESSOR SILLIMAN. u


From the New. York Tribune.
TEMPERANCE LECTURE--BY
PROFESSOR SILLIMAN.
The exchange SALOON was crowded
to excess to hear the Temperance
Lecture Of Professor Silliman before
the Washington Society. The learn
ed Professor gave a chemical analysis
ofaIcoboI, AID performed some beauti-
ful and interesting experiments with
some ofits elements. lie showed that
alcohol was ain indispensable agent in
science and the arts, but Nc more adap-
ted 10 the wants or condition ofthe hu-
man stomach than most of the power
tul acids used ina chemical laboratory.
The Professor held in his hand a vial
of highly concentrated alcohol-some
that he had made himself, and he said
that if man were to drink half Of it
(about two gills,)he probably would
not be able to get out ofthe room alive.
A wine glass full of it, he said would
probably very soon destroy the life Of
either Of the young lads before him.
The Professor related several interes-
ting and humorous anecdotes, full of
instruclion,upon this important topic.
He took also the position that alcohol
in any form did not promote diges-
ton, but that it disturbed the process,
and prevented the healthy action OF the
stomach. lie said it provoked appe-
lite, and caused more food to be swal-
lowed than was necessary for nourish-
ing the system. He then gave a brief
account of some Of the wonderful ex-
periments of DR.. Beaumont with Alex
is St. Martin. young Canadian, who
was wounded by the discharge Of
musket in 1922. The charge tore
away portion Of his left side, lacera-
ting the lungs and perforating the stom-
ach. The wound he2led, but the ORR
flee never became closed. The per-
iora,i0n into the stomach was two and
a half inches in circumference c.
Through this oridce peice Of meat
tied to a string could be let down into
the stomach and pulled out again at any
time; and in this manner the precise
length If ii ne required for the diges
ton Of any kind of food could be as
cerlained. The gastric juice, which
is the great agent Of digestion,- would
pour into the stomach when any food
or other substance was placed there.
This juice, the Professor stated, was
easily taken from the mans stomach,
and he had a bottle Of it now at the Col
lege. The liquid was at the present
time apparently as pure as it was ten
years ago. Ithad the peculiar proper
ty of sell-Freservation, or of resisting
| pureEaction. ii would, if warmed to
blood heat, dissolve meat III wine
glass. He said he had never come TO
any satisfactory conclusion as to It's
character from his attempts at anali-
zing il; and he had sent a portion of il
to one Of the most learned and skillfuI
chemists of Europe, but he was able
to throw but very little light upon the
subject. This l know, said Prof. S.
that it has no affinity with alcohol
and that they are in their nature and
attributes totally diverse, or posses.
counteracling qualities,
A very little drink of any liquid i.
better for healthy digestion than a lar
ger quantity, as the gastric juice may
be SO weakened by dilution as TO lose
for the time being, much Of its powe
but no liquid that is taken into th,
stomach is so pernicious to the natura
and healthy operation of the gastric
juice,as alcohol.
In regard to wines, he said that
was almost impossible to obtain them i
this country iii pure state. The
were chiefly made from alcohol 0
whiskey, and drugged and colored, an
so mixed with wine, or the lees of wine
as TO be passed off under a false nam
Tor the genuine fruit OF the vine.
Prot. Silliman gave the brandy doc
! tiers fair Lit; he was glad to believe
however, that the medical faculty gen
orally were growing more and NOR
opposed TO prescribing alcohol in an
J form for medicine, except in exrem
cases. He cautioned his hearers +
beware Of various tirctures or spiritu
on; solutions Of medical substances
They induced excitement, and inval
: ids, through the deceitful influence q
the alcohol, often thought they felt bet
ter, and continued TO use the poiso
uuij they were enticed to their destruc
lion.
The Professor concluded this mos
interesting Lecture with some friendl
cautions in regard 10 The use Of opium