The Ottawa free trader. [volume] (Ottawa, Ill.) 1843-1916, 1877-11-17

II was suggested some years ago by Licbig
that the use of COd.livcr oil would have ten
dcncy to promote Il distaste for alcoholic stimu-
lant- According to the same authority many
people had found they could take wine with
animal food, but not with iarinacCOus or amy
laccous nutrimcnt \ wcl-known man of
science, Mr.. Charles Napier, has undertaken
to test these assertions and the results OF his
experiments are set forth in Il paper read be
fore the physiological section Of the British
Association and which has attracted much at
ten,on in England
The experience of Mr.. NapCr'S own family
had furnished seeming proof of the accuracy
of Licbig's statement They had for two years
adopted vegetarian diet, and although brought
up in the moderate use Of alcoholic liquors now
felt no inclination for them. More decisive
evidence. however, was supplied by the appli-
cation of the theory to tweny-scyen cases, the
more striking of which may be briefly cited.
The first instance is that OF Il military officer,
81 years old, of i'm ariStoCratC Scottish family,
who had contracted habits of excessive wills
Ky drinking while ON service with his rcgi-
mcnt in India. We are told that his custom
was to eat scarcely any bread fat, or vegeta-
blcs, his breakfast consisting mostly of salt
| fish. and his dinner almost wholly of roast
Imcat. During the day he consumed from Il
pint to quart of whisky, and was not sober
halt his time BY NapicrS advice he was in
duccd to return To the breakfast of oat meal
Iporridgc ON which he had been brought up,
| and TO alopt a dinner of which peas and beans
! formed important ingredients lie does no,
seem To have liked the change at first, and
made the significant complaint that he could
mot enjoy his whisky rs much asformcrly
! About this time there was panic among flesh
heaters IN England owing to the Catte plague
and. consequently, the whole family was put
lon Il vegetarian diet For some weeks the
husband grumblcd very much, but his taste
for whisky gradually disappeared, and in tive
months from the time he became IN entire
vegetarian he rclinquiShcd alcoholic Siimu
Ilanl, and, according To Mr.. NapicL has moi
since returned to either flesh or alcohol.
Another case which merits spcchl notice
was that of gentleman of sixty who had been
Iaddictcd To Incorporate habits FOR hity-tvC
years his outbreak averaging one week. His
lron>ttution was 81 shattered tina, he had great
difficulty in insuring his life After IN attacl,
of dclrium trcmens, which nearly cnled fatal
liz, lac was persuaded 10 enter upon IL farm
laCcous diet. which we are assured cured him
IComplctclV in seven months. He seems TO have
lbccn very thin at the beginning of tie expert
lmert hut by the close Of the period nlmcd had
gained iwcnty-cight pounds, being hen about
the normal weight for person of hs height
I'VE shall mention but one other Of tie twenty
b. seven eases reported by Mr. Napier. IL is that
, of an analytical chemist, - years ofage who
r is described ~ u person at some talut but OF
, Incorporate habits Upon Iiebig's statement
being recalled 10 him hc cyprc>sc, IN opin
ion that flrlnaCcous food would M suit his
[ own constitution, affirming that he lt he had
| eaten nothing unc>, hc dincd largcl, on flesh
, He consented, however to test the suggestion
: bv months trial. His trst dinncrconsisted
s principally of macaroni, was eaten With little
r appetite, but he pcrScycrcd, coniriviw 10 slim
r ula,e desire for food by vigorous outdoor eN
ercise, and before the end at >iN weeks was ;
o total ahS,aincr.