The Columbian fountain., 1846-06-30

this i'll mind
MEsSRs. EDrroRs: AS you gave our IN
troductory thoughts a place in recent mum.
ber of your paper, we will prosecute our pur-
pose of throwing little light upon the effects
of alcoholic liquor upon the human system.
k15 w5 5ssa HI atsn# s..I Alcohol, alb
saac.ly considered, is an elaqaal!5ed poison,
deeidea 10 be 50 5y lie mog. amjocnt chem
asis and phv&cians fh! n,a1p veats past, and
especially since the commencement of the
Temperance reformation, when Il has received
a. more strict analysis. Nature, however,
proves il so, for she will not retain It in the
system; the digestive powers will not act up
on it, the stomach rejects it, the fluids refuse
TO form an alliance with it !: and when, as a
last resort it enters the grand circulation, it is
carried along as a foe, It often being found up
on venesection to retain its original proper
ties, SO fully, in fact, as TO ignite when taper
has been applied to the mass. The moment
it is swallowed il commences its work Of de,
struction, intlaming the delicate coating of the
throat, bronchia, stomach, and wherever it
passes along, injurlously stimulating all the
organs and functions of the system, espe-
cIally the stomach and brain, deranging the
natural order. of respiration, warning upon the
nervous system, affecting the vision, enerva-
tlng the muscular system. These, Messrs.
Editors, are some Of the effects which this
baneful article induces upon the internal sys-
! tenn when introduced as drink. But, as
utility was the principle upon which we
started, we will be more specific in our at
tempt to discuss this evil. In the first place,
then, we say that the incpient effect of alco-
hol is to excite and stimulate the living fibre.
This can be seen by applying it to the web of
the foot Of frog, and then noticing its effect
through microscope. 1t will then be seen
that the blood in the small vessels circulates
more rapidly while this influence lasts. This
is, seen, too, in the universal exhilration thus
caused, and the disposition to muscular de-
monstratlon. And we say here that this being
an unnatural excitement, stimulation nature
has not demanded, it must be injurious. No
one at all acquainted with the tender nature.
Of the living fibre, and the delicate, sensitive
character. of the membranes, will hesitate to
say that great and irreparable injury must be
caused by a foreign influence of this nature
frequently introduced into the system. Taken
in moderate quantities, the brain and the
nerves of the senses partake in the exhilera-
ton. The eye glistens, the hearing becomes
more acute, the colloquial powers are exalted,
and the expressions of the countenance are
vivid and emphatic. As this excitement in
creases the passions are unfolded and invited
to free and unrestrained exercise; the judg-
ment is subyerted, and the whole being given
up for the time to uncontrolled license. Taken
in still greater quantities, the physical powers
are unable to perform their functions, and
give up almost entirely to this potent inhu-
ence. The voluntary muscles first show this
vassalage in the falling eye-lid, the open
mouth, the driveling lip, and the hanging head.
g X. Y.
@ ITO be continued.