The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1869-01-29
AleoA., rr.~ . s.,...,se Outlook.

Il Is q natural result Of one kind Of de-
composition called fermentation; and this
fermentation, and the consequent produc-
ton of alcohol, Is not confined to the ac-
ton Of the still, nor to influences outside
the human organism. As an instance In
support OF the latter statement, We may
mention that we have repeatedly seen an
old Micma Indian get ''gloriously" drunk
on sweetened water, solution OF COM
mon brown sugar In water. In this case
the fermentation could not have taken
place In mixing and dlssolvlng In the tum'
bier, but In the Indians stomach.
Ginger pop, root beer, ale, oil fermcnt-
ed liquids, and vinegar (unless formed BY
the dlstillation Of pyrollgneous acid con-
tain more or less alcohol; and these so
called harmless beverages depend a.
much for their cxhilaratlng quality upon
the alcohol they contain, rs upon the car.
bonlc acid gas In their competition. It
may be possible for one whose stomach Is
unused to stimulants, TO feel sensibly,
after drinking these beverages, the same
effects, although In less degree, that tho
habltual drinker seeks In the rum or
whisky bottle. But It Is hardly to be
credited that the stomach would contain
enough OF these liquids to produce real
IntOxication. ..
Besides Its antlseptc qualities, alcohol
Is stimulant, aiding In the effect Of the
drugs or extracts with which Il Is com
bined. It stimulates the physical forces
of the human system, when rendered In
active by disease; Il Is a "forcs-put," n
"make.shlft," rs mechanics would say;
useful to keep the enfeebled body from
the grave, and to impart new life to
organs almost past sensation by other
means. ..
And there It's usefulness ends. II never
impaired additional strength to the ro-
bust; It never made the old young; IL
gives nothing; It only acts on what there
Is. When pure, It Is = deadly poison,
antagonlstlc to life. Its effect on the
lining of the stomach, intestlnes, and
other internal organs-the mucous men,
brane-can be produced even upon the
cpIdermls or external skin, to such an ex-
tent as to blister. Alcohol docs not as
similate-has no afilllation with the SO.
crptions of the human organism. II pass
es out of the stomach In precisely the
same condition In which II entered Il.
Il shows itself In the breath OF the hab-
ltual drinker, In his persplration, his cvao-
uations. It Is still alcohol. Part may be
retained In the blood, which II thins and
weakens. For q time It Is held In the
brain, stimulating Il to unnatural activity; (;
but It leaves the organ as II was before.
or rather enfecbled by the task It perform
ed while under the subtle influence Of the
wine spirit. ...E
But We shall not bc betrayed Into q
homIly against the use Of alcoholic stim.
ulants. We desire only to present the
facts, and to leave each to Judge for him
self. wo are aware that eminent physi-
ologists, and others, have written lsbored
defenscs Of alcohol; but those who have
experienced It's effects upon themselves on
their physical system-leavlng out Its In
fluence on their mental powers, are well
fitted to Judge Of the value Of the state
ments, arguments, and facts, produced
by these defenders Of the habltual use Of
rank poison. Plain, palpable facts, are
stronger than philosophical disqulsltions.
Il Scientific .fmsrtcdn.)