Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1880-04-08
Medicinal Use Of Alcohol;
WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE TOWARD
ITS USE MEDICALLY?

7 WHAT SHOULD BE OUR ATTITUDE TOWARI
ITS UsEMEDICALLY?
1t is a grim satire on the old alchem
lists, that, in seeking the elixir of life
they developed deadly poison in the
: form of alcohol. Did the tempter say
to them, ''Ye shall not die; We shall bt
as GODS" in order to lead them to seek
that which should bring with it a per.
petual curse?
Alas! that the pure aqua UitR of their
dreams shouldhave turned to the seeth-
ing stream which has burned its way
through hearts and homes, till the
whole earth is SCARED like the brow OF
VesuYius! And is this name only a
mOcking contradiction, or is it an omen
that the substance itself is not wholly
evil? Shall we denounce it as worthy
of determination, or shall we deem it
the innocent victim of perversion, and
endeaVor to define its proper place and
use? If it has use, place in the hu-
man system, it is we'll proven that it
can be only as a remedy for disease.
In venturing to discuss its medical
use, our only cOurseis mOdestly to trace
the steps of those to whom the way is
better known-ot scientists, some of
whom have for more than score of
years been practically testing the ques-
ton and recording the results. It
would be most grateful to find them all
agreed in denouncing this which we
have learned to hate with a perfect
hatred, as a dangerous superfuity in
materia medica. But we are not thus
favored as yet. The results of scientific
experiment have developed opinions
somewhat conflicting, and many dis
tingushed physicians admit the efficacy
of alcohol as medicine, while some
even maintain its necessity.
In considering the question, What
shall be our attitude toward the medi-
cal use of alcohol? we find ourselves on
more familiar grounds, where we may
trace our way by principles more firm
ly established than are scientific deduc-
tions-principles that are never contra
dictory, because based on conscience
and common-sense.
While we may not presume to decide
on points of science on which "dOctors
disagree, yet having listened to the
opinions on both sides, there is prac-
tical decision which we can not waive.
And, practically, the question has
magnitude not at first apparent, since
very few at the present time are quite
exempt from some form of disease. Even
those whose ailments may be called inn
aginary, show an idiOpathic condition
exposing them to peculiar danger.
There prevails species Of mania for
devouring medicine of some kind. A
lady recently remarked to friend
"My husband can scarcely pass the
medicine case without stopping to taste
of something" Other wives could
give similar testimony, while it may be
they themselves rest under the same
condemnation.
We have seen child fretting over
some want, perhaps the want of exer-
else craved by its muscles weary of
mental diversion and we have seen
most foolish mother seek to quiet this
restlessness by putting in its hand
piece of cake. So "children of larger
growth, being restless, seek relief in
way equally foolish. Even persons
of culture-Christian men and women
whose duty it is to learn and practice
that which promotes health-are known
to be constantly SHINING against their
own bodies by self-indulgence or by
overwork. These seek relief from the
discomfort they persist in bringing up
on themselves by habitual recourse to
medicine. Some martyrize themselves
with rhubarb and calomel; some con-
stantly consult the family physician
but by far too many rely upon the Sc
dative effect Of tobacco, opium, or alco-
hol. The last-named may be in the
form of ale or wine, or it may be in
that of some favorite tineture whose
name is its real recommendation
Mothers, instead of teaching their
daughters the prudence essential to
health, allow them to become delicate
through carelessness, and than resort
to wine or brandy for relief from the
suffering they have broughtupon them
selves. Even the children whose age
is counted by months are quieted by
soothing syrups which steep them in
the stupor of opium. It is probably to
such sedative that the following ad-