Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-07-17
Temperance Amonr Soldiers

1t was at one tim, generally believed that
the use Of alcoholic liqIorS was positively
necessary and oenefici Al To all men and espec-
tally soldiers and sailors on active duty
Physicians recommended such beverages and
regular daily rdtlons of rum were provided
in all armies and navies. These notions are
still entertained by many persons and Very
generally there is want OF correct informa-
tion OIL ths subject Ii is very commen for
soldiers of all classes TO inlulge in the use Of
alcoholic beverages an we witness daily,
their prevalent AMI injusi5u; use among the
volunteers Ia or city. y few words of ad-
vice Oh this topic may be oi great benefit to
them
BY c.ose ObsssyItlOl an1 mlny experiments,
il has been found that tie tissues and the
blood OF dranklrds, as well as those who
continuity tlpple in beer and whiskey, but
do not get drLnh, are generally in state OF
degeneration. Alcohol passes into the blood
and retardS the elimination of waste and in
furious matter from the body, and thus il tends
to produce disease, especially fever French
physicians have determined that the blood of
man who drinks pini Of brandy per day,
Is never free from alcohol, and they assert its
prestnct in the blood eXerts a most preiudi-
cial elf CT upon nutrition. a man in ordiua-
ry health, taey assert, reguireS,no alcohol; it
moderate doses.
1t was long supposed by the British phys.
lanS that spsrituouS liI3ors imp ar ted to SOL
dlers in India power to resist tue depress-
ins nd1eace oi tropical climate; hence it
was regular practice to provide each soldier
with ration Of spirituous liquor beior par
taking Of breakfast.
Th,s custom led to the Generalization Of
the army, by affordinga temptation to geneF-
al drunkenness, which led 10 the increase of
crime ana disease.
This has resulted in the abolition Of the
spirit rations in the entire Indian army with
a manifest improvement il the health and
morals OF the solder. An experienced Indi.
an medical officer states that the use of spir-
It's In warm climates tsn'is 10 make men furi-
Gus and produce de if.um tremens, and he
recommends the total ab>chce of wines and
spirits in the army. Colonel Dawes, of the
Bengal Artillery, states that his experience
! in India has led him 10 see in the terrible
evils of the use OF spiriiuouS liquors among
soldiers, even iii moderate quantities. Lie
has Witnessed the best men become useless
from an indulgence III liquor, while on. tho
other hand, he has seen men of bad charac-
tiers converted into able-bodied, hard working
courageous sold ers, by abstaning from.drink
ing spirits. Wnen the Thirteenth Regimen
Of Light lniAntry was belle elgucred in JeIlala
bad, for five months, during which they could
obtain No spirituous Hq .ors, they were ro-
liarkably healthy and cheerful, and behavet
with great courage AMI good temper. Aftel
the garrison was relieved, they then obtAine-
plenty Of liquor. and the result was mucl
Naturalization anl disease. Maj n Geaer
, al Wyie, of the Bombay army, testifies tina
i when the soldiers were quartcrei in district
where no spiri Gus liquor could be obtained
no crimes were Committed, their health wa
good, and discipline admirable but wheI
ever they OBJ aimed ana were supplied with
great deal of soiritS, i'll conauct and diseas
prevailed to frightful extent.
: This Information, We trust, will exert
salutary influence upoa the officers and sol
dlers OF our army.