The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-04-02
Enects or Temperate DrlnhInr:

Effects Of Temperate Drinking
A writer says: 1.-THE ervou sys
TEN is that department of our bodlc.
which suffers most from stimulanti
and narcotics. Although tho ciroula
ton of the blood is increased, and al
the animal spirits reused by alcoholic
drink; still, the nerves are the organ,
that must finally bear the brunt ant
evil of this undue excitement. Thus
we see in the mar who has been over.
excited by these stimulants, a trem5-
ling hand, an infrm step, and impair
ed mental vIgor. Tho o~xcitability of
our system-and bythis term we mean
that property of our natures which
distinguishes all living from dead
matter-is acted upon by stimuli, eth
or external or internal and 1t is by
various stimul', applied properly, and
IN duo proportion, that the various
functions Of life are kept up. Thus q
proper portich of food, and drink, and
heat, and exercise, serves to maintain
that balance of action among all the
organs, which secures health to the
individual. Bus ifan agent is applied
to the system, exerting stimulant pow
ers exceeding those that are necessary
for carrying on the vital functions
steadily, an excitement ensues which
is always followed by a corresponding
collapse. This principle is clearly IL
Illustrated by the stimulous Of alcohol
fla person unaecustomed to its use
receives into bis stomach a given
quantity of distilled spirits, 1t will
produce symptoms of universal
excitement, The pulse increases IN
frequency the action Of all the ami
NAL functions is quickened and even
the soul, partaking of the impulse of
It's feshy tabernacle. is unduly aroused.
But this is of short duration, and q
sinking, or collapse, proportioned to
the excitement, soon takes place, with
a arrangement, moro or less, of all
tho organs Of the body. The stimulus
repeated, the same effect ensues. We
must, however, notice that the same
quantity of any unnatural stimulus,
such as opium, spirit, etc frequently
repeated, fails TO produce its specific
effect. Hence, in order 20 secure the
same OBJECT, it is necessary to increase
It's quantity. Thus, to II person in~
dulgiDg in tue frequent or stated prac-
tce of drinking, before he is aware,
the repetition becomes pleasant. As
the accustomed hour returns for his
dram, he regularly remembers it; again
and again he drinks; the dosIre in.
creases he makes himself believe 1t
is necessary from tho very fac, that
he desires It the principle, or law, Of
we have been speaking, devel-
opes itself; an increased quantity be-
necessary 10 insure u feeling Of
qualification more, and still niore be-
comes necessary, and oftener repeated,
lntil without it he is miserable; his
)vereXcited system is wretched, soul
and body, without the constant strain
which the stimulant affords. Hero is
solution Of the tactthat has astonish-
ID thousands how tho unhappy
%irunkard, with all the certain conse-
luences Of his course staring him IN
he face, and amid tho entreatics and
of distressed friends, and
he solemn denunciaiiOns of holy writ
sounding in his ears, and the sure
prospect of an untlmely grave, win
still press ON, and hold the destroyer
still irmcr to his lips. 1t is because
nature shrieks at every pore, If 1 may
DO allowed the expression. Every
nerve, every voin, ovcfy fiber pines,
and groans, and aches for its accus-
toned stimulus. Nc substitute vii.
do; no ransom IAN purchase rehef in
saiiatc as the grave, every fiber cries,
Give, givel The dictates Of reason
are drowned in the clamor Of the sens.
es. Thus the temperate drnker, by
perslsiing in the practice, throws him
self within the influence of a law Of
his system, Of which he can no more
control the development, MOI resist the
urgency, than he q that law which
cIrculates the blood through his heart,
or any other law peculiar to animal
life. That law is no law OF stimula-
ton, Which is never unduly aroused,