The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1843-03-28
For the Caledonian.


,,cess Of the temperance cause. like to lend an
;,in, hand on all suitable occasions in helping for
,.l. "a good work. AS !, among others, have
,oo reouested by the committee of that Convention
=, cye my opinion in relation to the efficacy OF dist-
~ sorits used as preventive of the disease that has
hoon for some time past, is prevalent in many
,,r,s this section. cheerfulIy comply with the
,o,nest As neither time nor space in your paper
,,a hermit minute examination of the subject,
sballmerey state my opinion and some reasons n.
rOng many in support OF It,
Who or what gave rise to the belief, which seems
n have obtained quite extensively, report says,
,lot the free of Intoxicating drinks is preven-
i've of disease cannot conjecture. 1t sure
" cannot be- that it has originated with ply scians,
,,bo make any preensions to knowledge of medical
for no such who has the least regard for his
rsputation, whose opinion is of any value, would
dore think to hazard an opinion soabsurd and ri
dieuous The elder writers medicine, who it is
well known recommended more liberal use of these
medicinal agents as a cure Of disease than physicians
do at this time never presumed to advise its use rs
.creycqtire OF Epidemic Diseases ike many other
wonders, it must he discovery OF this wonder work
image. But it is said, that physicians have nd
,sed its use. IT this lie true, they surely must have
seen acuatrd by motive similar to that Of the quack
,yho having great relish for cucuHbers recommen-
el them to all his patients for tic cure of all dseas.
The internal use of alcohol, as preventive Of dis
eso, cannot be defended on any physiological
philosophical principle Whatever. The best possible
protection from the causes OF disease is a well and
regular balanced rtion Of al the functions of the
1oly or in other words good health. Any thing or
every thing that de anges and wcalens the powers Of
animal life, renders the system less secure against
tie attacks oC Epidemic disease. In proof Of this the
history Of every Epidemic may be adduced. The
victims oflho several Plaques, which have mortal
prevailed in Europe were generally among those
classes who resided il dirty unyentnted cellars who
lived Oh unwhOlesomc food and achO Gddicted to
the constant use Of iai01icgtisg dg'iaLs. The same
remark is true in relation to the several Epidemic yell
low cyers that have prevailed in Philadelphia and our
Southern cites The Cholera may be adduced in
proof Of this opinion. 1t stated by respectable
practitioner, in Montreal, that a very large proportion
Of those whc died there with that dreadful disease,
addicted 10 the Of Intoxicating drinks. It is
ru indeed, that after these violent Z pidcrcs have
for time prevailed, and the Atmosphere has be-
come saturated with the morbid poison, Grnness
of constitution is in every shield against lis
ackS and what / wshto be unde stood to say is,
that the drinkers of intoxicating liquor much
abe to The attacks OF Epdemia diseases than those
rho are exemp, from its use; and the history of the
wages Of f.;a Epdemics abundantIy prove tie truth
g'the assertion.
have already said that the best preventive of dis
:. TIT A.
recy lnvors It's attacks, than weakness or dcranged
health This latter state Of the system, it is conen-
died. is induced by the use Of alcohol. It's first and
inmedti:e effect is stimuant-ex exciting into Il tumul-
tuogs action the functions Of the system thereby
spending wastefuIy the energies OF life. 1t is impos-
si5e that this waste Of vital energy be continued
long, without its being succeeded hy collapse and ex-
hluson g it is precisely this latter Of the body
which invites the approach and seizure Of disease.
paraizes and binds the strong man. and solics the
robbers Of health and life to enter the inner apart
meUts, and destroy the furniture within.
Neither does it possess the power of ncptra;z:ng or
destroy ing in any way the Of disease
i!suCh opinion is entertained, it is wholly with
oct data proof. Historical facts concusively con-
tradct it. All experience is against it. 1t cannot be
causes Of Epidemic Diseases Of all kinds, are ntang
te, unseen unknown and cannot be subjected to
perments OF this kind
Those who ready to follow the advice of
others without enquring into the source Of such adj
vice. and have such reverence for the opinion of p! y
scians known only such by hearsay report, as
readily to adopt practice that is highly dangerous,
and can result in nothing but eyit is confidently to
Oeoped that they will not refuse TO listen to and
comply with the opinions of ninety nine out OF an
Kindred Of the physicians Of the civilized world, who
write in condemnng the OF this poison, pre-
'entiye of disease When see so many, WHO
call themselves good tee totaers too, ready to adopt
recommendation, unsupported by common sense,
emanating from no approved authority, to return to
the Of alcoholic drinks is there not reason to fear,
that the beliefs yet too general that there is pro-
Fhylactic conservative quality in distilled spirits,
which is able to ward off disease from the living
0ody,as it preserves dead animal substances from pu