Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-28
INTEMPERANCE.

Although it was for some time considered
recognized fact, among the leading medical au-
thorltics Of the day. that intemperance varies
with education and external condition, and, IN
these days, works its greatest evil among the
adiecly poor and ignorant classes, it appears
that of late, there has been reason TO believe
that the opinion was not thoroughly we'll found
ed. For year past the London Saturday
Rcyiew has been denouucing the vice Of over
use of stimulants as one which was Shocklngly
prejudical to society; and quite recently dec
laration has been published in England, sign
ed by two hundred and fifty physicians and
surgeons calling attention to the Injurious et-
tycts attendant upon too frequent indulgence
in, and even too liberal prescription of alcoholic
stimulants The Saturday Review again de-
cIares that an increasing passion for spirituous
liquors is observable in modern society, not
only among the humber classes, but among
educated aud cultivated people, men and wo-
men alike, and that it is to be noticed not only
in the clubs Of Pail Mall, but in the palacial
residences of the West Eud and in the count
ing houses of the city. Heavy drinking, to
be sure is no longer thing to be proud Of,
of society shut upon him This the Saturday
Review asserts, is by no means proof
that we are more sober than our grand
fathers. 1t only proves that we do
not get drunk in the same way. Five bot.
ties under the belt, at one sitting, would
put many men now under the table ; but 1t
Is quite possible to drink that much, at inter
vals throughout the day, without succumbing
to beastly intoxication. Thequestiou is wheth-
er periodical heavy drinking or steady tipping
is most injurious. One sends the victim to
bed, and he is Obliged to get sober before he
can stand good bout again, while the habit OF
taking drams may be continued from year to
year, until paralysis, or even d,llrlum inte1-
venes, unless, indeed it is put stop to by
the gout.
1t is generally conceded that alcoholic stimu-
lants are used to the greatest extent and IN
the widest variety among the nations which
are now leaders of modern progress. In old
and decaying civilizations in Greece, Turkey,
Egypt, Spain. they are much less used than IN
young and rising nations, aud just as lntem-
peIance is known to Increase IN times OF war
and great excitement, SO the use OF stlmulants,
ito a similar cause, Is most prevalent among
those people who are most active aud most ex-
cited, and who sustain unnatural mental actl
vity by unnatural means This is the reason
why every large railway station has ITS drink
ing saloon, why theatres are fitted up
with large bars; why saloons, like the
Acazar and the cafes chantants in Pal-
l. are uflnklug HILLS, anu why IesliuidulS
are furnished with bowers Of bottles and
served by the most blooming of bar
maids. This is the way the steam is
,pt up, and it is not exactlyas the Saturday
Review says, that the 'feverishness and rest
essness Of modern life, the morbid passion for
excitement and sensation, the tendency to reck-
less speculation in business and to headlong
pace in society may without much difficulty,
be traced in a great measure, to the increasing
Use of dangerous stimulants;' but rather that
the increasing use Of alcohol is consequent up
on the unnaturally excited condition of modern
life 1t is we'll known that nervous diseases
are much more general than they used to be,
that neuralgia and brain disease are much
more common, and that bran-tag is by no
means unusual among those who are most alb
stemious We live and work. as we travel, at
lightning speed, and the only wonder is that
men, nowadays, last as long as they do.
Whether or not the moderate use OF alcoholic
stimulants helps to sustain the increased strain
on the vital functions is a question not fully de-
cidcd. 1t is certain, however, that the con-
slant and excessive use of alcohol is in the end
fatal to the health and injurious to the morals,
Its effects are always debasing, and it has al
ways been found that where, intemperance is
grossest, to it are to be attributed large pro-
portion of the gross crimes Of the country
Bat. Gazette,