Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1882-08-30
Alcohol In Sickness.

The internal use of alcohol, as a general
rule, is but the synonym of abuse. Like
all other poisons, or unnatural agents, the
use of alcohol demands some effort-a revo-
luton in the natural taste, in certain
sense, new creation - before it can be
gratefully tolerated. Such an unnatural
change in our condition, such decided de-
parture from the original state produces
marked effects, inevitably resulting in an
abnormal appetite, this appetite being far
more exacting in its demands, more potent
than any natural taste. It matters not,
therefore, whether this is taken as bever-
age or as a medicine, so far as this effect
is concerned, for nature never makes the
nice distinction of "science falsely So
called-allowing poison to produce effects
Numerically opposed when taken under
slightly varying circumstances. Nature is
always reliable. From the peculiar debility
of the body in sickness, its unusual suscep-
tibility TO take on abnormal conditions, its
marked constituencies, vitiated appetite is
far more easily induced than in the vigor Of
health. For this reason, the use of ardent
spirits in sickness is far more liable-cer-
tain, might say--to create an abnormal
condition, arelish for spirits, and tendency
which shall result in drunkenness, than when
the same amount is taken in health. Hence,
in the effort to remove some malady not
specially formidable far worse disease
may be created - that of drunkenness,
among the most incurable diseases. Again,
object to the use of alcoholic stimulants
in sickness, on the supposition that they are
"neither food nor medicine" We learn
| from science that alcohol is foreign to the
human system-that it is never appropriated
tl,o 81 ;naottnr Nd Iati Op
| like food, and, consequently, that it cannot
give strength and form tissues. When taken
into the system il produces commotion, is a
poison, an irritant. Like any metallic sub
stance, as a needle, it preserves its distinc.
tive character, is hurried through the round
of the circulation as purely alcoholic as when
imbibed, imparting no strength, adding to
no tissues. From the brain, for which il
seems to have special affinity, it may be
taken-acohol still-and used a second
time. Some parts of it pass off in the
breath, some in other channels, no part of il
leaving any evidence of having performed
the functions of food. 1t is ignored by every
organ of the body or treated as foe-a for
| eign element. On the contrary, food is
changed in the mouth, stomach, bowels, its
nutrient portions separated from the waste
and so manipulated in natures grand labor
atory as to be transformed into bone, mus
Gle, nerve-everything connected with the
body. By this means a reconstruction Of
wasted tissues is effected, strength impaired
vigor evolved, all effected that this ever
decaying frame demands. But not so with
alcohol. That produces none of these
changes. And more, it is not found any
where in nature. God never made it. II
is the result of utter destruction, the fruit
of mans skill. 1t is produced only by new
combinations of elementary principles. No
a trace of it is found in the decayed appl,
on the tree, or in the grape, in the SAINT
state. Its production necessitates the de
struction of all nutrition, the real value o.
the grains being transformed into an engine
of cruelty and death. A popular author justl,
remarks, that "any quantity of alcohol in
toxicates; intoxication is poisoning. A
little alcohol intoxicates a little; large
quantity intoxicates a great deal. Tit
moderate drinker, no matter how small hi
libiations, only differs from the gutter-tope
in degree" If these principles are correct
| am unable to see how this foe to ever,
function of the body can produce jus
its usual and natural effect on the sicl
and that be favorable. If it affords nj
strength, does not invigorate by being di
gested like food, am unable to appreciat
its favorable effect on those especially de
manding inauguration. If disease is simpl
the absence of ease, or health, cannot Sc
how the introduction of a foreign element
antagonistic to every function of the body
will, in any manner, promote health or de
stroy disease.-Dr. j. II. HdndJord.