Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-07-27

absorbed to keep pace with the de-
mands of the system.
Water is thus what is needed to as
s1age thirst. 1t may possibly be made
more palatable in various ways. 1t is,
in fact, more wholesome if it contains
In solution moderate amount of sa-
lines and some atmospheric air, but il
is essential, the absolutely iudispens-
able basis of ali drinks. With It we
are fortified against thirst arising from
whatever cause, and any additions we
make to it must have a further and
distinct object.
The subject is an important one at
this time Of the year, as many foolish
prejudiees prevail in regard to it..
Probably the most pernioious of these
is the idea that BY the addition of
alcohol In some form or other, spirits,
wine, malt liquors, etc., an additional
cooling property is conferred upon
various beverages. As a matter of
fact, in doses consistent with sobriety,
alcohol tends rather to elevate the
bodily temperature than to reduce IL;
it sends an additional quantity OF
blood to the brain, already apt to be
surcharged; it Increases markedly the
congestive tendencies of the liver
which are evoked by tropical temper
atures; it adds to the irritation of
the kidneys, often produced by
the concentrated state of the
urine, resulting in its turn from the
excessive loss of water by he skin; it
stimulates the palate and the gastric
mucous membrane to unnatural activ-
lty, and thus tends to provoke excess
in eating quite as harmful in its way
as the alcohol itself. Ia larger doses
to be sure, in doses sufficient to pro
duce profound iutoxication or uncon
seriousness, it does lower the tempera,
ture, but it is hardly necessary to
argue against its use in this manner.
1t may be stated without reserya.
ton that in the vast majority of cases
the habitual addition of alcohol in any
shape to summer drinks is not only
unnecessary and unphilosophical.w
the object for which these drinks are
taken is considered, but also tn It it i
in many ways positively prejudicial
and inconsistent with high condition
of health.
There are, however, some admix.
lures which water may undergo with
out interfering with its value as a
beverage or which may even increase
it, Lemon juice, for instance, has
usually an excellent effect upon the
stomach and liver, facilitating gastric
digestion and tending to prevention to
overcome "biliousness." 1t should be
used with very small quantities of
sugar. Effervescing waters, such as
apolinaris or the ordinary plain soda
water of the drug store, if not kept in
loadel reservoirs, and if not taken
with the syrups and creams" now so
much In vogue, are harmless and re.
freshing. After all, water itself, soft.
clear, sparkling, without smell or
marked taste. is the safest, the most
satisfactory, the most beneficial of all
beverages, and except at meal
times, when it should be used
With some moderation, may be
taken In almost any reasonable ouan
tity with impunity or with absolute
advantage.
By furnishing the material for free
perspiration, it promotes evaporation
from the surface of the skin-the most
potent agency in summer, or indeed at
any time, in keeping down the bodily
temperature. By its laxative and
diuretic effects it favors free action of
the bowels and kidneys, one of the
essential of both comfort and health
By keeping the demands for LIQUIDS
and consequently the sensation Of
thirst in subsection. it diminishes the
inclination to frequent tipping often
felt so strongly at this season BY those
just beginning to acquire incorporate
habits, or at least by dilution lessons
the luxurious effect of such habits
For every reason, therefore, and for
all persons, honest water, which ne'er
lett man i the mire," is to be pre-
ferred to all other summer beyer-
sges.