Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-04
sAzIrAGY MEASURES.

To the Edjtor Of the Dispa'ch:
When any form OF alcoholic drinks,
such rs brandy, wbiskcy, and the like,
i taken into the stomach it enters the
circulation 10y absorption ard IS carried
10 the brain, where it excrts a special
and Characteristic influence upon that
organ. II also acts locally as m irritant
10 the mpcOas membrane Of the stomach
when undiluted Mixed drinks contain
inc portion Of water and other ingre-
dents. such as t0dd,e5 and punches, are
less injurious in that respect
IN moderate quantities alcohol acts ms
stimulus TO the faculties OF the brain,
and. as a general rule, with a pleasing
effect Of cxhi'aratioa In larger and ex-
cessive Quantities its uso IL followed Ivy
intoxicafion, coma. and death, according
to the quantity imbibed.
It's action implies waste and exhnUs-
ton Of nervous force Hence the folly
OF It's use when the vital forces are hoayl-
" taxed by severe labor, either mental
or phvsica, or when the system is sub
ieciod 60 great viclssitudcs OF heat or
cold. Under such circumstances 1t Is
Disadvantage rather than benefit, be-
cause 1t nses uD ccrtalu amount II
nervous energy which would otherwise
have been available by the system, and
would have helped it TO hear the strain
to which IT. was subjected at such times
Eor is its use IN the stronger forms,
habltual or occasional, justified upon
physiological grounds, 20 those who are
Ia good health and well supplied with
food and clothing. 10 such the
stronger alcohoi. drinks, in moderation,
may lie comparatively harmless. butthey
are neither requisite nor con nerve TO
good htaltb, and their regular use in
wolves great danger OF forming intem-
porate habits.
And vet in spite or tho appalling evils
they have inflicted upon mankind and of
the Efforts made for their suppression
the fact remains tn they are consumed
IN enormous quantities and thnt very
large number az lnllyldutispro engaged
in their sde and manufacture, showing
tdat under the pres ut conditions OF ll'e
there is a strono demand for their use.
What then. .eaylng ont tier mciici
nal use. 10 acute Ci.easn. are tine states
OF the system in which they may be
properly and beneGcilly employed?
There are many persons with feeble
digestive powers particularly the aged,
who are benefited by the moderate use
Of brandy or whi3key at meal-times.
Beer and vine may be used for 1.-THE same
purpose. the latter, when of goodquality,
being preferable. They may also enable
the stomach 10 digest better, cO'rs =. and
more unpala'able food, and thereby add
to its nutrtiye quality, although they
contain little or no nutTment IN them
selves. A French peasant will enjoy
End digest well loaf Of black bread with
vine or beer, which would 10 rspIlsiye
and n1iqeetible without such aid
The mider alcoholic drinks, such as
wine. beer. and cider, nre rarely inju
rious If used in moderation, and have a
wi L. range OF usefulness and applca-
hilitv 10 the wants OF modern society.
To the vigorous, healthy system, we'll
clad and well fed, they are certainly un-
necessary but unfortunately those who
ore in this condition represent small
portion Of mankind.
Brandy. whiskey. and drinks Of SINH
lar character have 4 much narrower range
of usefulness IN ahygienic point OF view,
aud are highly injurious 10 the delicate
tissues Of the BRAIN when taken. as they
frequently are, in quantities sufficiently
large to affect that organ. NJ. ID.