Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-11-16
The Nature ofAlcoholic Liquors.

The following correspondence embraces
the views of one of the most eminent ply
sicians and surgeons of N. Y, on the na-
ture, tendencies and necessary consequences
of Alcoholic Beverages, regarding the ques-
ton primarily in its physical aspects; and
we ask for it the perusal ofevery reader who
has constitution that may be destroyed or
a life that may be lost:
DIR. Williams to DIR. Cdrnochan:
New YORK, Oct. %, 1858.
DEAR Sir: As you are Chief Surgeon to
Wards Island,' the largest hospital in the
United States, and have large and success
ful practice as we'll as your hospital exper-
fence; would be pleased, indeed, to have
your written opinion in relation to the ply
siological effects of 'spirituous liquors. wine,
beer, DC, upon the constitution. First. Do
they extract the vitality of bone, muscle,
blood-vessel and nerve, thereby depri,ing
the system of its healing force, so that frac-
tured or broken bone, flesh wounds, &c, are
much longer. more tedious and more painful
in being restored. Second. Do they, when
taken otherwise than as a medicine, render
the system more susceptible Of disease and
more difficult to cure when any disease may
become seated in the constitution. These
are great and vital questions, and your opin-
ion and experience will be kindly received
by an inquiring public, as well as by your
obedlelt servant
b. BROWN WILLIAMS.
DR.. J. N. CAKNocHAN, Prof, Surgery, &c.
DIR. Cdrnochan'S Reply.
Newly DIRK Oct % IS53
DEAR SIR: In relation 70 your inquiries
directed to me, as TO the physiological eff
fects of alcoholic drinks | unhesitatingly
answer that they are in the highest degree
pernicious and deeterious to the human sys-
tenn, morally and physically. 1t belocgs to
the Divine TO expose and dwell upon the
sorrowful influences upon the moral consti-
tuition OF man, by the use of intoxicating Ii
quors. As surgeon, however, having vast
opportunities of experience, in hospital and
private practice, must declare that always
look upon patients who have been in the ha-
bit of using spirituous beverages as least
likely to recover from serious maladies, or
from the shock following capital operations;
and also as those most likely to require lon
ger time for the cure of diseases of a more
simple character. have at times met with
cases Of fracture of the bones occurring in
persons Of Incorporate habits, in whom the
bones would not unite by bony material, but
remained dAayikl~-Yr-1----a------n acconnt ae
,,,,;opf fesaG ligaUlenteas.yA =
Ttie use OF aatian of the s2stem-
diseases, which, if at first On'v disable men
from pursuing the vocations Of life, ultimate
Iy induce imbecility, paralysis, apoplexy,
and death. Il would be impossible in .
communication, short as this must necessar-
lily be, TO mention all the untoward results
which the use of spirituous beverages entail
upon humanity, and how these results i'm
pede and counteract the efforts Of the medi-
cal practitioner Suffice it TO say, that the
continued use of intoxicating drinks saps the
foundation of life, destroying the healthy
action of the nervous system, preventing the
nutritive powers of the stomach, vitiating the
blood, and depressing the vital functions Of
the whole system.
To conclude, would say that intemper-
ance in the use of alcoholic drink, is the great
pest of modern society, and those who haze
the moral courage to stand boldly forward
in the cause of the grand moral reform which
is now agitating the country on this all
important subject, will merit the encomiumG
of all mankind.
Respectfully yours,
j. M. CARNOCHAN.
To H. p RpourN XN1rY...c Naw Vorlr