Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-08-16
EFFECT OF STIMULANTS.
A Wide Difference Between Mode.
rSte and Excessive Indulgence.
London Telegraph

.ngrlly debated. 1t was long sup I
,osed, even by experienced chemists :
md physicians, that alchol passed J
rom the system wholly unchanged,
acting while there only as a stimu-
ant. Some valuable scientific
evidence was given a short time ago
upon this point before a committee
Of the house of lords. According
to the opinions expressed by the
eminent authorities examined, the
view that alcohol is eliminated from
the organs unchanged is now no
longer held, but is wholly refuted
by the result of experiment. Prof.
Binz, of Bonn, has concluslvely
demonstrated that, to the extent of
two ounces, pure alcohol is absorbed
into the system, and oxidizes there,
this oxidation producing the agree
able feeling of warmth and comfort
which induces many persons to
drink spirits. To this extent, too,
it may be regarded as food, produc-
ing, as it does, a definite amount Of
certain forms of force. According
to DR.. Brunton, alcohol, in small
doses, increases the gastric secre-
tions, and thus promotes and aids
digestion. AS a therapeutic agent,
incidentally used, it has powerful
and beneficial effect. In fainting
of the heart, constitutional or tenn
porary, owing to shock or other
wise, alcohol stimulates and rouses
the circulation. Contrary to ex-
pectation, it lowers the temperature
Of the body when administered to
persons suffering from fever. In
the form Of port wine it has a
valuable soothing effect upon the
patient, reducing the heat of the
blood and calming the delirium
of the brain. II has also the power
of arresting fermentation and pre-
serving animal matter, while it
seems to hinder the development Of
organic disease germs in certain zy-
motto maladies. This fact is of the
utmost possible importance, though,
as yet, but insufliciently understood
and investigated. There can be
little doubt that the use of stimu-
lants-of course, in moderation
, does, as DIR. Farr implies, act as q
preventive of infection and conta-
gion with those who temperately
indulge in good wine or even pure
spirits. On the other hand, an ex.
cessive indulgence in these power
} full and stimulating beverages pro
J duces the most disastrous effects
' Causing a rush of blood to the sur
r face of the body, it leaves the inter
e nal organs cooler, and the coldel
e the external air the greater th,
q liability of the system to be chilled
;, down. 1t further contributes,w
e taken regularly in large quantities
e to the generation of the tissue
which compose the principal organ
t of the system, such as the liver, tn
It heart, the spleen and the kidneys
n When the degeneration has alread,
commenced, owing 10 incipient dis
ease, it hastens the destructive pro
E cess, and, of course, shortens con
d siderably the life of the drunkarC
h or dispomaniac. The tendency 0
}, dram-drinking to produce diseas
d among the poor classes is addition
}, ally enhanced by the fact that tn
It spirits they drink are adulterated
IS and all the vile concootions the
a occasionally swallow are frequen
/. cause of illness, apart from the il
10 diligence itself. Even middle elias
;. people should be careful Of the win
!, they are in the habit of drinking
;. for M. PaGtepr in his work "Mala
!. dies des Vid," shows that poe
' wines undergo a peculiar change {
the nature Of a disease, and thi
lie DR.. Farr points out, accounts fC
rd many of the sad consequences
lg excessive drinking.
,g Irrespective, however, Of
lie medical and scientific testimony
to the beneficial effects of stiml
he ants when taken in moderation
be there ig one decisive test which HI
OF long ago settled the question, III
universal experience of mankil
is throughout centuries In vario
es conditions and under all circul
m stances, is concluslye as to the n
he cessity of a beverage partaking
the nature of q food and q stim
liant. 1t is only reasserting CO.
ne ,n monplace truth to say that the so
w individuals who annually kill thel
selves 0y Indulgence IN e&ceSsl
"R drinking are merely so many ca
DIS tions against intemperance, a
furnish not a single argument
~ favor Of total abstention. AS II
the sonable would it be to prohibit t
employment or use Of ehlorofol
-. as an anesthetic because, if ca,
~ 40 lessly administered, it is sometiu
". ~. fatal; or, forbid the use Of stryC
%, nine as a medicine, because, inca
lp' tiously taken, it is virulent poisC
on To abstain wholly from the use
wineand fermented liquors throu
els fear Of becoming q drunkard
ted about as logical as never going
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