Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-02-26
The Medical View Of the Use Of Slim
ulants.

The agitation against alcohol in many parts
OF the United States, taking definite shape i'm
'crusadrs" and in every variety of temper
anee movement, has been the occasion of the
expression of widely differing opinions on the
subject OF stimulantS. Some regard them as
the especial devices of Satan designed to rem
der Lin valuable assistance in dragging down
the unwary to his alleged abode. Others look
upon them as wise provisions of nature, of
great value and Importance for producing,
under given conditions, certain definite eff
fectS, but liable To- fearful abuse. Representa-
tiyeS of both these classes may teach to-
tai abstinence, the one through pure hatred
of alcohol as DEVILS snare. the other through
concession to the weakness of human nature,
which appears unable to control itself Suffi-
GENTLY to cOnfine the Use of anything within
its proper limits. Most physicians belong to
the latter class As a rule. they only go so far
as to advocate temperance on the principle
that it is wise to be temperate in all things,
holding that over indulgence in drink does not
differ from gluttOny or intemperance in the
use of food except in the degree of blame
which the results in the two cases faSten to
each. The medical opinion in this matter is
important as forming basis for intelligent
operations in checking intemperance.
If those who attack it on moral grounds and
those who condemn it for its physical eff
feets can agree on a plan of operations against
it the battle will be half won. DR.. Dyce Duck
worth, +. K. G. p, an eminent English phySi-
clan, may perhaps be taken in his writings on
this subject rs representative medical man.
In an article in the British Medical JOurnalhe
gives what he holds to be the true and legiti-
mate position of his profession in respect to
the use OF StimulantS. As far as the treatment
of diseases is concerned he ranks alcohol with
quinine, calOmel, the lancet and the cupping
glass. I'VE cannot do without it or any of these
things, but we employ them or not as our bed
ice inOwledge indicates" He is satisfied of
the nutrient power of wine and alcohol, eS-
pecialy in connection with other food. He is
not prepared to say tina ia little good beer is
not very valuable addition to the often Scant
fare and coarse food of working people, or
that it may not fairly be taken to counterfeit,
as il will the many sources of depression to
which such people are inevitably exposed in
Great Britain. Whether alcohol is beneficial
in promoting digestion depends on the con-
stitutOn of the individuals persons suffering
chiefly from dyspepsia or insomnia are, he
thinks, better without StimuantS of any kind.
StimulantS should be taken only at meal times.
In this connection the learned doctor justly
condemns peculiar practice of this country.
"I am confident" he says. that as body our
profession is unanimous in condemning the
of Stimulants at all hours, and lamentS the
grieyOuS multiplication of the means of graft
flying this miSchievous custom, for truly the
conduct of masses of young business men in
our cities and large towns in this respect is
becoming disgraceful, and the practice is fast
gaining in other circles and communities Our
cOuntrymen of these classes have no excuse
for this, for they are wellfed and have liquors
with their meals in addition to their hourly
drains, while Americans, who are VIGOROUSLY
the worst dietitianS in the civilized world, are
water drinkers at mealtimes." In his Opin-
ion teetOtaliSm should be urged upon the
nervous class Of drunkards, and upon persons
who are selfindulgent or whose lives and Oc-
equations bring them much in the way of
drink. He also praises the noble example OF
total abstention from strong drink, set by the
clergy and others in conspicuous positions and
points out that their principles alone in many
cases enable them to reclaim drunkards and
achieve results that would otherwise be i'm
possible.