The Portland daily press., 1884-12-09
TEMPERANCE TEACHINGS OF scr.
ENCE.
A Ten Minnie Essay by DIR. Charles H.
CrandaIl of this City.

Grandau OF this City.
A large meeting of the Longfellow Chan
tnuqua Circle was held at Chestnut street YES
try last evening. The roll-call was responded
to on the part OF some By quotations from Mil
ton. Mr.. Strout presented paper on Cyrus,
Mrs. Hinckley and Miss Eoses presented pa
pers on oats, rice, buckwheat and barley; II.
H. Turner presented paper on Milton. The
recess was followed by some fine chemical ex.
psriments By Mr.. Holden, and an address by
Dr. Q. 4. Crsndsll,. on the Temperance
Teachings OF Science" DIR. Crandall's paper
is so valuable and authoritative that We here
with present it to the larger circle OF the
Press:
In regard to the sabjsct essigned to me,
will say that at the present time science is
teachlog temperance in an unqualified and
powerful manner. Inspired by the belief that
there are fundamental facts underlying every
condition, che has resolutey searched for
those which underlie the most gigantic and
perplexing problem OF the age. She brings, as
the final verdict Of patient research the ap-
paliing truth, that alcohol, viewed from what
ever standpoint, is poison Of the most pro-
gressiVe and aggressive action in the physical
economy OF man, By demonstrations, at oncs
suggestive and resistless, she is promulgating
great truths, which are shaping personal and
public opinion into determined opposition to
the use OF this dangerous substance.
LIN the first place chemistry has come
from the seclusion OF the laboratory, present.
ing to the world the analysis of alcohol, and
showing that it is q composition which entities
IL TO classification under the general head OF
narcotic Doisons. It proves moreover, that
this original poison is adultsrated and render
cd still more deieterlous by the addition of vet
vller poisons, such as fusel oil, Juniper Oil,
pruSsio acid, nitric acid, sulphuric acid, caus-
tic potash, and snch like drugs, fit only for
ierming aqua nlortts, or the water OF death.
AND then, along with such facts, CONS the
personal opinions OF eminent workers in this
branch OF science, saying that "The sedative
action OF alcohol on tue brain constitutes Il a
powerful narcotic poison" Another declares
tnat Alcohol is poison. Iu chemistry and
physiology this is its proper place" And still
another of great eminence adds, "AIeohol is
universally ranked among poisous By physiolo-
glsts, chemists, physicians, toxicologists, and
all who have experimental, studied and writ
ten upon the subject, and who therefore, hest
understand it," Thus does the science Of
chemistry tsach the masses that alcohol is q
rule of life.
2.-Now, all that is asserted by chemistry re-
gardtng the poisonous action of alcohol is con-
nrmed by the science OF pathology. A pathoIc-
gist is one who studies and treats Of diseased
structures, or teaches the changes worked by
disease; This branch Of science haa been
evolved from the dead-house where the
raVages of disease are studied by the aid of
chemistry and the microscope. This class OF
men hnd that those who have been users OF
alcohol, even in a moderate degrees for any
length OF time, show its injurious effects upon
the stomach, heart and liver; while those who
have died from alcoholic excesses show a
diseased condition of the lnngs, heart, stomach,
liver and kidneys. And now, in proof, will
give you the words Of q scientist emiusnt for
his learning, veracity and manhood Drunk
ards suffer from functional disease, as in
digestion with vomiting and purging from ir.
fltation of the stomach and bowels; from
organic disease, induced By prolonged use of
spirituous liquors, such as fatty degeneration
ot the heart, liver and kidney" Auother of
no less reputs announces to the world that
"the brain and spinal cord, and all the nervous
matter, ike other parts, become subject, un-
Ger the infiaenoe OF alcohol, to organic dete-
rloraIlon. These deteriorations OF cerebral and
spinal matter give rise to series OF deranpe-
ments, which show themselves in the worst
forms OF nervous disease" Aud Sir Ashley
Cooper, one OF the grandest names in medical
literature, said, ~ never suffer ardent spirits
in my house, thinking them evil spirits; and IL
the poor could wituess the white livers the
dropsies, the shattered nervous systems which
L have ssen as the consequences of drinking,
they would be aware that spirits and posons
are synonymous terms" In such manner
les the science OF pathology teach temperance
Dy declaring aud demonstrating that this
wretched stuff called "spirits," called "poi-
son" called devil" called monster" pene-
ttates every remote and mysterious portion of
the body, and iDjures or destroys every struc-
ture it touches.
3.-And am proud to say to you Tonight
that medical science proper is beginning to
teach temperance. There is an Awakening to
the grand truth that alcohol is . dangerous
remedy, and one that can be- very largely dis
pensed with. few years ago the medical
profession in England took an immense step in
favor OF temperance education By declaring
through the public press against the practice
OF inconsiderate prescribing Of alcoholic
liquids. 1t was declared, moreover that il
Was their conviction that the great amount Of
drinking OF alcoholic liquors was one VI the
greatest evils OF the day, destrOying-more
than anything else-heSlth, happiness and
general welfare. This document was signed
Oy nuudreds OF members OF the profession,
including many OF the most eminent aud re-
Specialize, as DR.. Parkes, Sir Thomas Watson,
biz james Paget and Sir Astley Cooper This
declaration, bigned by such honOred names
excited discussion ana controversy, lasting
through months, aud which did more to edu-
cate the masses on this subject than any ono
thing that ever occurred. In the wear 1872 six
hundred physicians Of Holland issued sirui-
lar declaration, in which were these words:
The moderate use OF strong drinks is always
unhealthy, even when the body is ia a healthy
condition. Regarded as the usual drink OF
all classes, they are not only improper on sc-
count OF the above reasons, but also against
moral Development and material prosperity in
such measure as TO be considered and TO be-
stamped as the greatest underminers of the
In America, as a rule, the most eminent
and respectable physicians and surgeons are
advocates OF temperance and educators OF tie
people by practice and example. In proof let
let me add that in the year 1872 the American
Medical Association, composed of q thousand
OF the Loading physicians in America, passed a
resolution disconraging the use OF alcohol In
medical practice.
Aud thus is the science Of practical medieine
teaching temperance to the masses 1t is de-
ciariDg to the world that alcohol ia a poison.
tnatI except as medicine in dire emergency
It ID unnecessary, and that its habitual pss
leads TO disease, disgrace aud uutimelv death.
"Slo~ly, gradually, beautifully, these truths
are daWnlDg upon mankind"
Ms friend, am going to repeat To von tc-
nigAt what have said before. For nv mart 7
Claim tnat education regarding the 1ss ana
dangers OF alcohol must precede reform. Edn-
cate the masses up to the conviction that in
temperance inevitably leads to disease. poverty.
Ignorance and sorrow, and they will shun II az
plague ana pestilsnce. Into this grand
WORK yoo and must enter, guided by the
molly hight OF science and reason. We must
dedicate our lives to The sublime principle Thai
man can be reformed by the power of truth
ana right. We must incarnste in example and
precept the splendid doctrine that reason.
right and moderation are the basis Of healthy
and useful life"