The Press., 1888-06-07
TEMPERANCE COLUMN.
EConducted by the ". c. T~U.3
NoN-ALCoHoLIo MEDITATION.


 DEAR UNION SIGNAL :-So many inquir- ies have come to me lately from the w. 0. T. U, workers, asking for information on that most vital question, "Is alcohol indis- pensible as a medicine ?" that am tempt. ed to offer your readers some statements, all of them from good authority, bearing apon this subject. As I turn to medical works 1 find no end of evidence, plain and positive bearing directly on our side of the controversy.
 Take the following-and may as well begin with those authorities that are near at home ssThe medical use of alcohol has always been a sort of Gibraltar for intem- perance. The admission of the medical use of alcohol as stimulant, tonic, con- servator or generator of vital force, has been the rotten plank in the temperance plat form. * It has become evident to those who have given the matter candid thought. that either the common employ ment of alcohol as a medicine is a stupen- dous error. or teetotalism is 8 fanatical H. fusion. Which of these positions is the true one? It must certainly be that one which best agrees with facts-scientific facts-and the dictates of reason and com mon sense. * A few years ago two thousand English physicians publicly ex- pressed their lisapprovsl of the use of al- cohol as a medicine. In London alone, three hundred physicians signed petition for the supression of the liquor traffic, al. coholic drink being, in their opinion, wholly unnecessary for medical purposes. "-Dr. L H KeIlog9:1- 1 "As a result of thirty years of profession. al experience and observation, I feel assured that alcoholic stimulants aie not required as medicines ""-Dr. Greene, Boston,
 "Alcohol has been mistaken for an in , vigorating tonic; but the supposed process of inauguration is a process of stimulation or rather of irritation; and we might as well try to sinvigorate' weary traveller with gQotG fo4tis. ."-DT. 4. L. OsW0td.
 ssBy physlologicA Il inquiries, it has beer established that alcohol is poison. "-D1 Willard Parkes', NeaO York.
 ''It (alcohol) is poison of the nervon' centers. Its direct. action is to lessen her vous force "-Dr. E Sn1ith.
 "A stimulant is that which gets strength out of a man. Alcohol is poison. "-DT .Eclnaa0ads, England.
 "The eff ct of alcohol upon the nerves i to lessen tensibility. AscohO does not contribute to either heat or force k Every excretory organ of the b d. is engaged in getting rid of this poison. - b.. J 1T. keilogg.
 | "AicOholic liquors, as medicines, ar wholly unnecessary. '-Dr. Johnson, E'a9 L0nd
 "I have never known disease cured D. alcohol '-Dr. Higgia6OttOma, Brit. Aed Society.
 "Alcohol cures nothing. "-Dr. Miller ,ScottGaad.
 s'On man, the local effects of alcohol ar those of a powerful irritant, and causti poison. "-.P PerieTG.
 "Alcohol is primarily and essentially lessener of the power of the nervous sys m."-Dg'. Y. X. Chambers.
 "The temporary warmth produceI D spirituous liquors is always succeeded b chillness. rendering the body still nor liable to be affeete d by cold. ."-Dr.- Rats1
 The length of this article compels me pass over many excellent authorities, nc only in this country, but in Great Britai and Germany. will close with singl quotation from the late R. T. Trail M. D New York ''The source of this great d' Huston talcoholic m9dication) ln respect it's supposed usefulness, consists m mi taking stimulation, which is fever diseast for strength morbid action, for norm; function inflammation, for nutrition fever for food; waste for supply strengt used up in expelling the poiaon, flor strengt imparted by the poison."
 Were | allowed to express an opinion o this subject, should say, with Dr. Tral -l that the "relation which alcohol sustain to the living organism is always disease producing, and therefore anti-vital
 SUSANNA w. DoDDs, M. D..