The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1889-10-19

vices from which the ultimate agents,
ether and chloroform, result. Fer
mentation and distillation may be
conducted at one end and the anRs-
thetics received at the other. 1t is
true that, in chemical laboratory,
alcohol is an agent very convenient
in a thousand ways. But if it were
banished utterly what would result?
There are other methods of fabri-
eating the useful products named, and
many others, without the use OF al
cohol; but the processes would be
rather inconvenient and more costly.
The Punishment of alcohol would not
deprive Us of single one OF the in
dispensable agents which modern
! civilization demands, neither would
chemical science be retarded by its
loss.
This view is based upon familiar
acquaintance with the uses to which
alcohol is applied in the directions in
dicatrd-in pharmacy. chemistry,
medicine, and in the various industries
so essential to the welfare OF the race.
For a period of nearly half a century
we have been brought into intimate
association and participation in the
scientific and art discoveries which
have so signally distinguished our
epoch, and therefore we venture to ex-
press views upon so important topic.
Tho Ct1nctino iS NUhathar alcohol
may not sometimes be convenient, or,
perhaps, useful, but whether it is in
dispensable or necessary in medicine
and the arts.
1t must be remembered that modern
science has given US glycerine, naph-
tina, bisulphide of carbon, pyroligne-
Gus products, carbolic acid. and a
hundred other agents which are very
capable of taking the place of alcohol
in q very large number of appliances
and processes. The naturalist is no
longer dependent upon alcohol for the
pres ervation of his wonderful speci-
mems and the artisan no longer needs
alcohol to obtain convenient heat for
/ lllo DOOIS, VI w lGiClllGdlO lib ldDOII
cheaper and equally good substitutes
have been provided. Petroleum in its
refined and perfected condition has
taken the place Of mixtures of alcohol
and turpentine for obtaining artificial
illumination; and alcohol for purposes
of securing light and heat can never
again be needed. 1t is only quarter
OF a century since two million gallons
Of alcohol were consumed annually for
Illuminating purposes.
The perfumer employs alcohol in
many of his products, but the question
arises: Have we need Of the per-
fumer?" The man who fabricates one
smell to cover up another may be a
very useful artisan; but certainly he
is in no sense Indispensable. Aside
from his cologne" and odorous ex-
tracts, the perfumer can dispense with
alcohol, and, if its Punishment should
of the event from meeting with any
unsupplied wants at the perfumer's.
As regards the medicinal value OF
any of the spurious liquors which are
known In commerce, very much may
be said. If all the brandies. WHISTLES,
wines and malt liquors which now ex-
list were suddenly destroyed, and there
could be no further production, no
class but dipsomaniacs would suffer
any pain or distress for a single hour.
| If th,Sa hay-annrroc
full, they are oftener u bar to recuper-
alton, no matter what may be the all
ment.
In all cases OF disease where an al
coholic seems to be indicated, science
presents non-alcoholics that may
serve an equally useful purpose. The
| alcohol qucs zion as related to medi-
cine may be summed up in few
! words. In some cases of extreme ex-
haustion or debility it may be re-
garded as a convenient agent, if care
fully employed; but in no instance of
! disease of any form is it a medicine
! which might not be dispensed with,
! and other agents substituted.
MS view OF the chemical and
therapeutical needs and uses of alco-
| hol, as related to the human family, is
not presented from the standpoint of
the Temperance orator, but from that
of the scientific investigator.-Dr.
james Il. Nichols, in Union Signal.
TEMPERANCE ITEMS.