The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1881-09-02
ICE. ITS USE AND ABUSE.

ICE. ITS USE AND ABUSE.
Like all the other almost fabulous
crons IF our wonderful country, the
ice crou Is now said to be fabulous also,
and in spfte of tho lodges resorted 70
nv ice companies aud ice vendors, VINO
are apparently classed with plumbers
and 1ess-Atters in their Intimacy with
fniauity, the price of Ice this summer
Is very low. This Is very unfortu-
nate fact, for there is no article OF con
sumption SO directly noxious In Its
effects as ice. AS q preservative of
provisions 1t undoubtedly has its. uses;
out 1t has also its dreadful abuses.
The innocent consumer of dish of
salmon, for Instance, Is seldom aware
the fish from which the alleged succu-
lent slice is provided has been, since
he first left his native element in Ore
gon, for three months or moro, frozen
on blocks OF ice. Long after the pres
emit absurd and imperative game laws
have declared that quail and cartridges
are ont of season, broiled specimens OF
those delightful game birds are served
at hotels and restaurants, having been
preserved on leo until the last vintage
of flavor or gamey taste has lett them,
anu u OlGu " Do "uNoo ~AAoHAs~JON~ OsA
toast might as we'll be placed before
hungry Individual. It is only In this
country that ice enters 80 largely into
the apparent comfort of its inhabitants,
and q very dangerous comfort 1t Is.
Dyspepsia and number OF other evils
follow directly on the train of the con-
sumption of ice. To the great pitchers
of iced water so temptingly displayed
on hot days may be traced a number OF
maladies, for it is evident that no per-
son can without danger sudde .iy aud
violently lower the temperature of his
stomach by filling it full Of water at
80 degrees Fahrenheit. That valuable
organ will certainly resent the insult,
especially if followed up by repeated
injuries of the same kind. In the
tropics, where the use of ice has more
temptations surrounding it than in any
other part of the world, the Inhabitants
most carefully avoid 1t. You connot
get Cuban to indulge in iced water.
People who have been previously adj
dicted TO the foolish habit of using ice
will, after visiting the West Indies,
forever escheW the dangerous practice.
A party Of men who recently visited
San Domingo on business (who would
go there for any other reason?) on their
first arrival mourned greatly ut tho
absence of ice. "Ah!" said they, "when
the English steamer runs in here we
will 60 aboard and have treat in
the shape of good iced brandy and
Soda" The steamer arrived in due
course. The ardent foreigners jumped
into the boat Of the captain of the port,
a negro gorgeously arrayed in uni
form covered with gold lace, and,
barely saluting the captain, rushed to
the saloon for the coveted refreshment.
1t was duly absorbed, and the whole
party were rendered i'll in consequence.
None of them have ever touched ice
since that time. In the West Indies it
is only the colored race which patronizes
ice to the white people it is not only
no luxury, but q dangerous enemy.
Ice has its uses in the hospitals it is
invaluable; for the preservation of
provisions especially fish, it Is useful !,
although detrimental to flavor IL allow
ed 10 touch the meats to be preserved
but as an article Of human consump-
ton 1t should be avoided. There is
yet I'm essay to be written upon the
maladics and woes produced by the
careless consumption of ice. 1t is only
with as that this takes place. Abroad
ice is simply luxury resorted TO at
times. Even in California the residents
are wary of it. In short ice is very
good friend in moderation, but a bitter
enemy when the intimacy is too Alb
sorbing.-N. Y. Hour.