The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1869-06-17

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REEDS MIL1s, June II, 1869.

| Edtt0F oftfNUFu'
notice in the Standard Of week letter
from D. Hoffman on the use ofalcoholic liquors
There are several points in that letter. and also
his previous one, on which differ with him; (
but for the present at least, l viii only notice |
the following "If he (Dr Gotwold, said, as
presume he intended to say, that the con tinued
use of alcohol in any shape or form, des troyed
digestion, Impaired the general system, and in
duced diseases of all kinds, and destroyed men
mentally, morally physically and eternally,
say he was correct and can sustain that position
by the best Psychologists and medical men in
the world. He can also prove by inconlroyert-
able testimony that the stomach Is injured every
time alcohol is taken into it. There is not
man living who can adduce one sound Phys
iolog ical or moral reason for the use Of wine,
beer or cider as a beverage" If Or. Hoffman
had qualified the above by say ing 'as general
rule, F" would not have differed with him But
in max ing such sweeping sta tenents he is no t,
in my opinion, sustained by respectable mi
nority of the standard medi cal writers Of the
present day. Has not Dr.. Hoffman been dealing
with egpGrte testimony, or is his opinion warped
by q theory rather than factsP
Is not the desire for food, which in the ami
mails is ins1nctve, but in man becomes more
or less guided by reason, as rule. safe ind-
cation of the kind and quantity ofnourishment
the system demands; and is not the desire for
stimulants q part of the same law? On this
point Sir Benjamin Brodle says: In all ages of
which we have any record, mankind have been
in the habit of resorting to the use of certain
, vegetable produ ctons not as contributing to
nourishment, but on account of their having
4 some peculiar influence as stimu lants or seda-
tiyes, Cor in some other way) on the nervous
system. Tobacco, alcohol, the indian hemp
the kaya of the South Sea Islanders, the Para
quay tea coffee, and even tea, belong to this
q category A disposition SO universal may al
r. most be regarded as an instinct, and there is
: sufficient reason to believe that within certain
' imi Is, the indulgence of the instinct is useful.
But we must not abuse our instincts" Dr..
~ Stlle says: "If alcohol is taken along with
n food, the food is more readily and rapidly di-
tv gested and therefore subserVes the purposes OF
ar nutrition more completely. The universal habit
of employing fcrmented and distilled liquors in
vs this manner and the more restricted custom OF
drinking glass of spirits before the principal
tn meal, testify beyond all cayi to the instructive
n and natural desire for such co ndm ents, and re-
~ fute all arguments that may be drawn from
h. false science against their utility That the
m habit is liable to abuse, and is apt to degene
n into vice, is true indeed, but such an argument
h. is valid neither against the habit ITSELF nor the
k. physiological reason for its existence"
te II,,t in oft
te may they not to q certain extent be considered
n- as food? DR.. Anstlc says; ''The support of the
organism In the absence of ordinary food by
j6, stimulants, is one of the most remarkable phe-
d, nomena which can be offered to the attention OF
cd the Psychologist. In support of this he refert
W. to the testimony which is given of the wonder
as full effects of coco and of opium, as well as tht
he sustaining effects of tobacco and alcohol unde +
n, the exhausting tendency of labor and exertion
Inc johnson says "They (alcoholic drinks direct
let warm the body by the changes they undergo il
lid the blood They so fur supply the place of foot
er, of the fat and starch for example, which
vas usually eat"
1n- l will answer the last sentence Of my text b
the following quotation from Flint, the latest
and perhaps the best physiological author
500 s'That alcohol at certain times, taken in mod
, Grafton, soothes and tranqulzes the nerVou
'"0 system, and relieves exhaustNtion dependent upo
Nv unusually severe mental or physical exertior
~ cannot be doubted. 1t is by far too material
view to take of existence, to suppose that I'll
w. highest condition Of man is that in which I'll
functions possessed In common with the lowe
animals are most perfectly performed. lna'
much as a temporary insuflleiency of food ,grea
at exhaustaion of the nervous system, and varlol
ma conditions in which alcohol seems to be usefu
the must of necessity often occur is hardly propt
rat. TINT this agent should be utterly condemned
is but il is the article par excellence, which Is lab
hey to abuse and the effects Of which on the min
and body, when taken constantly In excess, ar
most serious" Dr.. Stille says; ut must neyt
YEN be forgotten that in civilized life there is n con
will ro.o,ivoi, email rrnher of nersons in wbol
uh- the functions are performed with perfect exact
On ness aud regularity. Our whole system of pr
pairing food is q standing confession of our fe
bic lgeston there Is not eondiment, saul
au'- or change in the mode of cooking, that is NJ
va an evidence of our artificial condition. The +
WV nnements of modern society have prolonged I'll
average duration Of life but by so doing ha'
increased the number of those who require ART
Nnu fetal stlmulonts If not for their supporta lea
"'" for their extraction from dangers frequent
brought upon them by constitutional debilit
Tho Or even II the wear and tear of using IL have II
endangered the iategrity Of the economy pr
ylously to middle life, there generally comes
time when the functions fail aud the r0undne
Dpy, of the form is succeeded by the rugged outline
This of wasted muscles because the digestive orga
are no longer able as they formerly were,
,lca. convert food into nosh At this period t
,the genial stimulus of alcoholic drinks arouses t
duc. stomach and gives IL vlgOr which 1t in tu
dor. impurts to every other portion of the body
do not wish to be understood that | Gadyoca
gcr- the use OF alcoholic liquors to the extent Il
The the above extracts may Indicate. This is
own reason why give the oponins of Others ratt
er- than my own. If DR.. Hoffman desires cont
need uation of the controversy, have more of I
same sort. If he can sustain his position
,etlv "the best Psychologists and medical men In
writ world, have curiosity TO know who u
oave are. But would like To confne the DR.. to
present decade for the Investigations Of Inn
ds. in 1862, and Hammond in 1864, have mater a
changed the opinions of medical men on t
ana subject. Yours truly,
my - :. = 900
a.