Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-11-09
Grmprruntr Rsuhin9.
For the Spirit Of the Age.
Does Ardent Spirits Ever Kill Any
Body ?"

OOeS ARGENT spirits Ever Kill ANY
Body3"
Mr.. EDIToR Passing, the other day,
where two men were conversing, | over
heard ono remark to the other, that cer-
tain man who had died few days pre-
vious, was said TO have killed himself drink
ing. His friend rejoined-"I do not be-
lieyc hat-in fact | have often heard of
men killing themselves in this way, but
have never yetseen casc-indeed doubt
very much il good hqaor will kill any one
at all n
This latter remark-made seemingly in
good earnest--auested my attention. Is
it a fact 7 mentally inquired, that in the
face of SO many evidences to the contrary,
there are yet men who disbelieve what has
so long il might have been supposed, "bcen
seen and read Of all men," j. c. that ar
dent spirits is a poison and will most GER
tsinly destroy life 7 After revolving this
remark over in my mind, and comparing it
with the acts Of men, came to the con-
clusion that this mans opinion was proba-
bly, entertained by a much larger portion
OF mankind than we are aware of That
many, very many persons regard all this
warning and eutreaty which Physicians
and Temperance men have heralded over
our land, touching the poisonous and des-
tructiyc nature Of ardent spirits, as fanata-
cism and nonscnse-and as really untrue.
Now, Mr.. Editor, it occurred to me that
probably our profession, as a whole, had
not spoken out as they ought, and as they
D'ight on this subject. 1t is true some Of
tho great and shining h5ht0 of oar Profea--
sion have not failed to warn every man
concerning this thing. Their testimony,
while so satisfactory, authoritative and con-
elusive to US, does not receive equal weight
and credit from mankind in general, hence
if Physicians as a body, were to catch up
and send forth TO the world the sad history
of every case they meet with confrmato-
ry Of the opinions of these great men, ii
might not only give force to their warn
ings, but might also rescue some poor in.
fatuated fellow-mortal from an untimely
and awful death. Prompted by this re-
Election, propose to answer the interrog
atory propounded at the head of this ar
ticle-not by quoting the opinions of grea
men in medicine or divinity, or by inqui
ring into the effects of the use of alcoho
upon mans physical system-but by re
porting faithfully some Of the results O
drinking ardent spirits, as they have com
under my own personal care and observa
tion, in brief professional career of som
eight or ten years. confess, Mr. Editor
my heart grows sad in view of the tas
before me, and nothing but the hope ths
some erring, infatuated fe!low-creature ma
be turned aside from q drunkard's grav
and drunkard's reward, would induce m
to call up the sad and terrible reminiscer
ces.
VICTIM /.
Shortly after | first commenced th
practice of Medicine, was consulted
Squire G. N. for O certain vague class {
complaints which he avowed were the r,
suit Of oyer.labor, exposure, dyspepsia, &
After examining his case, / very soon dias
noscd that intemperance was the one di
case, and his other ailments its concom
tants. / prescribed course of medic
ton, in which cut off the.use of stim,
lants. He seemed at once to compreheu
what | was driving at and with a goc
deal Of yexation observed that, ait vi
strange every physician with whom he hs
conversed, seemed to think he was KILN
= himself drinking-(up to this time, / hs
not directly intimsted such thing) whcr
as he knew better. The few drains |
drank would hurt no man. lie scorne
drunkenness as much as any man." &C.
informed him that | would not unde
take his case, unless he would promise
leave off kis dram, for | felt it my duty
admonish him that this was the great pl
mary cause of all his infrmities, and u
less abandoned must inevitably shorten i
days. lie left the Office in disgust al
made straight tracks for the grog- she
muttering curses upon Doctors as he wei
II was not long before this man becar
physically incapacitated for any work
business, and mentally brutal, idiotic {
mon, and died in a comatose state,
mainly TO "soilening of the BRAIN" caus
by his habits. lie left son-a you
man going to bigh school, who mourn
over bis fathers course and gave gr
promise Of usefulness TO society and
church. Alas lie is now proprietor o
grog gsaop, sunl; far below thelowest dep
of degradation, and his sufuscd eye, bic
ed face and unsteady gait are the feal
premonitors of the end that is Just ahC
A second younger son, just emerging !
manhood, is hopelessly gone in intemY
ate habits; and a still younger son--a J
boy-was reeling through the streets Il
ly,babbIing oaths and profanity as if he W
just fresh from the Gottomlcss pit. ]
was the end Of Victim first. These
some Of the influences he left behind hi