Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1869-01-13


may b. idiosyncrasies of blood that will
not bear even pure wine. have heard
Of such ~
Have you?" I said. little curiously
YES" he answered, after moments
thought; then added-"About a year
ago, I saw a curious statement that i'm
ressed ne strongly. It was made by
physician Of some note, and recorded in
medical journal. 1t was to the effect, as
certained by diBsscsions, that TOO free
use Of stimulating drinks tended to en-
large the blood globules, as we'll as those
of the brain and other organs, SO that
they stood open mouthed, as it were. in
famed, athirst always, and eager to drink
The physician to whom | have referred,
after clearly ascertaining the existence OF
this morbid change, had al opportunity
to dissect the brain of man who, after
being drunkard for many years, refo. m
ed, and lived soberly until he died. To
his astonishment, he found that the un-
naturally enlarged globules of the blood
and brain had not shrunk to their proper
size Though they did not exhibit the.
inflammation Of the drunkard's brain, they
were enlarged, and ready. it seemed, on
the instant to absorb the fumes Of alcohol,
and resume their old diseased condition"
4 low, half stifed sigh touched my
ears. | glanced into the face of Mrs.
Clare, and saw that her eyes had the set
look Of one who is gazing intently on some
| mental picture. It was not cheerful
picture on which her soft eyes were fix-
ed; Isneeded 10 words to tell me that
Curious" remarked, as Mr.. Glare
ceased speaking.
II was struck he resumed, after
pause, "with the impression made by
this discovery on the physicians mind.
He thought he saw in this morbid state
of the brain the physical part of the rea-
son why man who has once been a
drunkard can never again, as long as he
lives, safely take one drop of alcoholic
| liquor. He thought he saw why glass
Of wine put the man back instantly to
where he was whsn he drank al! the
time. He saw the citadel free from the
enemy but undefended, incapable of de-
/ fence, and its doors wide open SO that
there was no safety, except IN keeping
the toe at distance, away beyond the
on erm0st wall l
thought detected slight shiver in
I Vlares voice. as with some warmth Of
manner he closed the last sentence.
II never understood the pathology of
this thing before, said The physical
reason why there was safety for the drunk
ard only ID total abstinence. We NAV
have the secret here. But cannot un-
derstand why pure wine should infame
the lood, when every globuie is in its
normal state"
"There are such things as hereditary
conditions" remarked Mr. Clare "Is
not a drunkard as likely to transmit the
nlarged and thirsty blood and brain
globules to his children, as a consumptive
his tubercular diathesis 2"
was half startled by the conclusive
directneSs of his query.
The law of transmission" he went on,
'aets in no partial way Whatever we
do OF habl whether physical or mental
goes down potentially to our children.
1t is an estate OF which no one can rob
them. We bless or curse them in our
daily lives"
There was shiver in his voice now.
My ear felt it almest painfully. -,-s
| "Were you always SO abstemious 2"
[ asked, two or three days afterwards, as
my glass of claret brought back the vine
question.
j. mo-" he answered, somewhat grayely.
s'ln my younger days [ drank OCCASION
ally. But wine was always too heating
for my blood"
Perhaps" said I, fthe article was not
always pure. 1t has long been difficult
to get the genuine stuff,
''It was always pure in my fathers
house." he replied.
Then you are familiar with the best
brands" | remarked.
Entirely.
And know the favor of good wine"
"Few know it BETTER" he answered
quietly.
lifted the half ,emptied glass of claret
that stood near my plate, held it to the
lights, and then slipped a few drops, say
lug as / Glu SO, Il lRtQR GnlS IS all
right. 1t should be, for it came directly
from the importers, and, I paid him his
own price under the guarantee Of gen.
uineness. | am afraid of all doctored
stuff. Do me the favor" and I poured
claret glass half-full just to let few
drops fall over your tongue, and give me
your opinion OF its quality"
How could he refuse so slight re-
| quest? For one instant there was hesita-
ton. I looked at him, and saw quick
change in his face. His wife leaned clos.
er, and laid her hand very softly on his
arm Then he took the glass held to-
wards him, raised it to his mouth, aud
slipped few drops Of the fruity wine
Ny eyes were on his face, watching for
the connoisseur's look Of pleasure The
expression I saw was more than that 1t
had in it a quick thrill. Removing the
glass from his lips, he held it poised for
a moment, then lifting it again, he drain
ed the contents at single draught
| shall never forget the sudden pallor
and look of dispair that struck into Mrs
| Clare's face.
''Pure wine, without question: - said
Glare, in a low. changed voice, as he kept
tasting the favor on his tongue. Pure
wine, sir! You are fortunate in getting
so good an article "
| noticed that he turned himself a lit
J