Weekly Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1853-1861, 1855-11-15
The Use and and Abuse of Stimulants
ICoNTINUED.

~. WHAT KINDS OF sTIMULANTs TO USE.
This is an age of authorizations. Our flour,
mustard, vinegar pepper, meat, tea, coffee,
milk, sugar, butter. and medicines are adul-
terated to such an extent, that the very fas-
tidious would scarcely dare to cat at all, if
made aware of the full extent TO which these
practices prevail. The quality of intoxicat-
ing drink has much to do with its distressing
effects upon the constitution of man. In
other guise, poisons, such as prussic, sulphu-
ric, aud nitric acids, logwood, alum, lead,
copper, and every other sort of astringents
are imbibed, which are very deliterious to
health and destructive to life. Who has
not observed how rapidly the wretch de-
scends who sinks into the use of whiskey
and common, cheap adulterated spirits? The
mere stimulating effect the human system
will long resist, unless the quantity be enor-
mous-but frame of iron and nerves of
brass cannot withstand the influence of these
poisonous compounds, which, though sold as
alcoholic, often contain scarcely any alco-
hol.
Tobacco is the most popular plant in the
world, although introduced to its inhabitants
but about 800 years ago. 1t is most consun-
ed-of all vegetables, and, next to salt, is the
most used of all productions, whether ami
nal, vegetable, or mineral, on the face of the
globe. 1t is partaken Of by saint, by savage,
and by sage from the Equator to the Pole, &
no nation has declined adopting it. Two
millions of tons are annually produced, and,
Notwithstanding all that has been saiI and
written against it, the consumption has con-
stantly increased Although to a consider
able extent, injurious in many ways, its use,
10 some constitutions, is innocuous, and there
are those who employ it with apparent bene-
ct. most persons have recourse to it who
have been reformed from habits of intern
perancc, and itfurnishesa comparatively safe
substitute for the intoxicating cup. Opium is
more employed. by far. than is generally
supposed. Its influence is evil, and only
"evil continually" Coffee aud tea have their
uses; but they are liable to great abuse
Alcoholic stimulants, though gratifying to
some extent the same kind Of desire, serve a
much more valuable purpose.
On recently looking over the loose papers
of a medical man, eminent in the last gene
ration, we observed that he was constantly in
dread of inflammation, which induced him
continually to tap the veins to prevent mis-
chief Either this age has learned much, or
has receled, or else the constitutions of our
people have changed; for we onener have
reason 10 fear an atomic rather than tonic |
condition; and more need stimulating than
depicting. Good hearty food, and enough of
it, is the best treatment for the healthy, who !
would keep so; and tonics and stimulants are I
valuable for the feeble, to bring up to par
those who have sunk below it. If it is true
that cases of incipient phthiss require not
only nourishment, such rs is procured from
fats and oils, but also that the blood be driven
through the lungs ut more rapid rate. in
order TO accomplish more perfect oxygena-
ton, we require some trustworthy agent, OF
stimulant character, for this purpose. Under
these circumstances, good brandy and gin are
useful There is an abun lance of
sillainous, drugged, adulterated compounds,
which arc deadly counterfeits, constantly sold
under the name of the various kinds of wines
which they are intended to initiate. The
manufacture of these articles has grown into
, trade, and the adulturation commences ut
he very place where they originate. In view
IF the aduteraton of port wine i'll the very
1ats, writer familiar with this subjects
9 If you would get pure Port, you must goto |
)poro, make il yourself, and ride home on
he cask." Ii is notorious that there is more s
annually drank in Paris than the