Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-01-23


stomach, has pleasant, nervine and exhilar-
ating effect. and is, in fact. thus used, less
deadly poison than alcohol. But if this virus
be inserted under the skin, it proves rapidly
destructive. Alcohol inserted under the skin
produces only slight Inflammation, but if
swallowed its destructive influence over the
whole nervous system is rapid and powerful.
Now one is just as veritable poison as the
other, vet each operates in its own peculiar
way. Such is alcohol in itself considered,
and such the analysis of its ravages on man.
But drinkers should notice another thing.
The alcoholic beverages of commerce are
even worse than the alcohol itself. They do
not get the alcohol pure; but it is further
drugged with still other poisons. Read part
of the long catalogue of pernicious agents in
common use namely, Essential Oils, Cocu-
las Indicus, Logwood, Brazil Wood. Alum.
Green Vitriol, Capsicum, Opium. Tobacco,
Aloes, Bitter Orange, Henbane, Nux Vomi-
ca. Sugar of Lead, Oil of Bitter Almonds,
Indian Berry, Poke Berries, Elder Berries,
Poison Hemlock, Guinea Pepper, Laurel
Benzo;n, Red Sanders. Burnt Sugar, Salt of
Tartar, and SO on. Here are some of the
most deadly vegetable and mineral agents in
the world, with which nearly all the liquors,
wines, ales and beers in the world, and often
cider, are drugged and adulterated. A late
work GU Chemistry enumerates forty-six ar
ticles commonly used in making beer alone
The nervous system gives to organized mo-
tion all the peculiar functions of animal life.
And in its highest state of dtvelopement
renders it fit recipient of the powers of
reason and moral feeling.
The peculiar organ that manifests the mind
is the brain. Those channels through which
it receives and transmits impressions. from
and to all parts of the vital domain, are the
nerves. Now it is true among all human be-
ings, that, those persons who exhibit the
greatest mental abilitv-Other circumstances
being equal-possess the most exquisite and
perfect organization of brain and nerves and
among the different races of men, we find
those inferior in strength and variety of men,
tai, coarser also in bodily conformation, the
hard, the bOny and earthly structures pre-
vailing over the more fluid and delicate It's
sues. In one there is a natural If not a nee
essary connection between physical contami-
ination, mental imbecilty and moral deprav-
ity, and whatever contemplates human i'm
provement is closely allied to physiological
integrity.
If these views are correct, it follows de-
ductively, that whatever Injuries mans bodily
structures and deranges his organic func-
tions, will just in that ratio deteriOrate his
whole nature, whether we call it physical or
mental or moral and, conversely. whatever
improves his organic condition tends to exaIt
his whole nature, and elevate and ennoble all
his powers. feelings. thoughts. affections and
attributes.
The brain is the most exquisite arrange
ment of organic matter that exists: so fine
soft and delicate as to be almost fluid; in
deed, it is composed of nearly nine-tenths
pure water. Now whatever affects, in any
way. this brain. and those nerves which run
10 and from il. affects in corresnondiny de.
gree. not the mind. but its operation tbrougb
that brain and nervous system.
If a blow is received on the head and this
delicate organ materially disturbed, the
person is senseless and thoughtless-he
feels nothing and knows nothing Yet his
mind is not essentially altered. If this brain
is deprived of its due supply of blood, or if
that blood is thrown upon it in undue pro-
portion of force its structure is deranged and
the manifestation of mind is different The
man who has taken a large draught of intox-
icating liquor sees one object in two places at
the same time; he imagines the walk is rising
up to knock him on the head: he thinks the
lamp posts are making threatening gestures :;
he fancies his friends look insultingly awry
to provoke him to combat; he concludes
everything around him is misplaced, distort-
ed or in unwonted comm lotion, and he Judges
that moons and stars are dancing antics and
fantasies over his head. His mind operates
through distorted medium. There is no
mystery whatever in that illusion of unbal-
anced faculties which transforms wife, child
red, friends and fellow creatures into spectral
devils. demons, fiends and damned spirits
And is it strange that, in this state of per-
turbed sense, he perpetrates acts of folly,
crime and outrage?
The principles have thus far considered
demonstrate beyond all peradventure that
alcohol is, in every shape and form, chemi-
cally incompatible with every fluid or struct-
ure, and phvsiologically incompatible with
eyery function of the human economy; YES,
with every vital process of every living thing.
animal or vegetable. Things chemically in
compatible are those which maintain their
separate conditions when brought into con-
tact. They act upon. neutralize and destroy
each other. Acids and alkalies afford familiar
examples: when brought together they de-
stroy each other and form third substances.
differing from either. But acids and aka
lies are natural constituents of our bodies.
and, therefore. are rendered physiologically
compatible by forming third substances which
are also natural constituents. Alcohol is not.
and cannot become with any proximate prin-
ciple a natural constituent of the animal
organism, and hence it is wholly and unqual-
ifiedlv a chemically destructive agent. The
vital Auids counferact the Influence of the