The new Northwest. [volume] (Portland, Or.) 1871-1887, 1878-03-08

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among them is that of too often advis-
/ ing the use Of stimulants. l have been
laughed at for ohjecting to the use of
brandy to hasten returning strength of
invalids in my own family, and that,
too, by a physician who, believe, is a
Christian, and a very excellent man.
l But being an an. D." does not justify
one in prescribing "best brandy or some
good whisky" for every one who COM
plains Of weakness, for many have a
weakness of which you may not be
aware. An appetite at first weak, may,
by the tonic you prescribe, become
aroused so as'to overcome your patient,
body ard soul
About eighteen months ago Ameri-
Gus Savage, Of Linn county, shocked
the entire community by committing
suicide. He had contracted an appetite
for strong drink, found himself too weak
20 overcome it, therefore, as he informed
his friends by the note he wrote them
just before performing the deed which
ended his life, he had resolved to live
no longer. Knowing that he had caused
himself and family so much trouble by
the banetul habit, whose chains he could
not sever, he determined rather than
longer be its slave to break the "golden
bowl" thus vainly hoping to find peace.
While conversing with DR.. Alexander
D "a short fir,a offar Tho a,,o,,f int r.fas.H
he remarked to me, az feel very sad in
| regard to this case; have felt some COM
/ FUNCTIONS Of conscience respecting that
man for several years. Ten or twelve
years ago, while attending upon sick
family one evening, l met there Mr..
Savage and wife. Mr.. Savage remarked
70 me that lie had been feeling badly
for some time, and had sensation OF
/ weakness or distress in the chest. / re-
replied that he possibly needed a tonic,
aud advised a little Of the best brandy
Noticing Immediately the pleased ex-
/ preston Of Mr.. Savage in contrast to
the startled look Of the wife, I tried to
/ recall my words, but too late From
that day began the downward career of
that man." Then he said further, 81
have come to the conclusion that ply
sicians should be very cautious about
+ prescribing stimulants."
Aud so they ought, they cannot be
too careful, as they frequently know
nothing of the habits Of their patients
in former years-nothing Of their ante
cedents, early education, or moral SEN
timents. 1t is hazardous to advise the
use Of alcohol, except in cases of direful
need, lest by so doing they implant in
the young or revive in older persons an
appetite which cannot be subdued.
The third and last class to whom l
would refer are the druggists, who are
generally persons OF great respectability,
frequently members of the church, and
yet their establishments might properly
be styled manufactures of drunkards.
Having a right by law to sell by the
quart, which is understood to be by the
bottle, the druggist must, in addition to
AAA7f Supply hAAAENEA - EAAAEu ANI A5
being advised by the doctor. He can
Furthermore prescribe a gentle tonic,
which is frequently nsught but brandy
with little flavoring in order to give
it the name Of "medicated," which
mixture proves most palatable medi-
cine. As it seems invigorating to the
patient, be soon becomes to think he
cannot get along without it, which IA
vor is very pleasing to the druggist,
who cOngratulates himself that he is
doing Gods service, as well as lining
bis pockets, not caring to think Of the
woe that is pronounced upon him who
putteth the bottle to his neighbor's lips.
y painful history came to my knowl-
edge some years ago, happening in the
town where lived, the principal actor
being a prominent man in the State
who was a victim to the influence Of ali
three Of the classes above named, hi.
father being of the class who looked
with contempt upon "teetotlars." Tn.
der such influence it was not strang,
that the young man allowed himself tC
take a "drink' when he felt like it
which in the course of a few years be.
came pretty often. His health failed
and he came near deaths door. Hi.
physician, knowing perhaps that h'
, would have it, prescribed brandy, "bu
r it must be Of the best; he must neve
! again touch the vile stuff dealt ou
across the bar Of a saloon" He accord
, ingly, on his partial return to health
/ paid his daily visits to a cOnvenien
drug store, where be procured the arti
Gle desired at a price which was sup
p posed to insure its quality.
A strict account upon the books of th,
a number of calls made and the amour
drank by this unfortunate man, an ae
[ count which, upon being presented L
r the astonished widow a few months af
r terward, called for the payment Of owe
+ six hundred dollars! the which to pa.
!, she, through a mistaken sense OF honor
[ sacrificed her home. I say mistake
D sense Of honor, because it is plain tina
{ it was not her duty to deprive hersel
e aud child OF home to crafty those ex
D tortioners. But being a woman O
!, honor, she had faithfully kept her voy
e in being through her husbands life al
that loving wife should be; and whel
] he was lain beneath the sod, she burie
3 with him all remembrance Of coldnes
or neglect of duty upon his part, aud lie
n uolva1 70 lat fbo ,,-o-tl