The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1892-04-22

JeCUeQ IN the stomach OF any OJ0er PdrC
of the body. And from the brain alco-
hol has been taken so pure that upon
applying lighted match, it would burn
readily. 1t acts then primarily, upon
this organ.
The celebrated DR.. Carpenter of Lon
don, in his great work on alcoholic
liquors, says, ''Its special power of ex-
citing the nervous centres, the brain
and spinal cord, to augmented activity,
can only be accounted for by the idea of
some special relation between alcohol
and nervous matter-the alcohol being
drawn out of the circulating current
by the nervous matter, and incorporated
with its substance in such manner as
even to change its physical as well as its
chemical properties; for alcohol will seek
out the nervous matter and fasten upon
it, just as we see that other poisOns,
whose results become more obvious to
our senses, will lOcalize themselves in
particular organs" All medical au-
thorities confederate these statements of
DR.. Carpenter.
But while the deleterious effects of
alcohol are produced primarily and
chiefly upon the brain; yet it does not
act at the same time, and equally upon
all parts of the brain. 1t is an admitted
fact that different parts of this organ
are devoted to different uses. The high
er or frontal portion is the seat of the
intellectual or moral faculties. And it
is here that the disturbance commences.
A small quantity of alcohol is sufficient
to effect this part of the brain. When a
greater quantity is taken the hinder and
lower pOrtion-that part which controls
the nerves of mOtion-is affected; and
then the person loses the power of di-
recting his bodily movements. Hence
the staggering and other unnatural and
uncontrolled movements of the body.
When still greater quantity is taken
the action of that part of the brain devot-
ed to the higher faculties is entirely sus-
pended. Stupidity follows. The power
of voluntary motion islOst The man is
dead drunk. He will now unconsciOusly
fall into the ditch, or sleep on the railroad
track, or freeze to death at the road
side. The alcoholic poison has now
passed down to the extreme lower por-
ton of the brain, and the breathing has
become heavy and difficult, This part
OF Une brain controls the organs of res
piration, and when it is deeply poisoned
the lungs cease to oct, and qeatn is the
result Many single debauch would
end in death were it not for the fact
that, usually, stupidity occurs before a
sufficient quantity is taken to destroy
life,
The brain is unquestionably the seat
of the mind. The mind acts upon the
physical organism through this me-
dunn. Here the mysterious, incompre-
hensible union between the material and
immaterial takes place. Here the spirit
and matter come in contact and mutual
ly influence each other. Now as the
action of alcohol upon the substance of
the brain is unequal-this organ of the
mind not being affected in all parts alike
and simultaneously-so the effect upon
the mind itself corresponds exactly with
its influence on the brain. Consequent
ly the noblest qualities of the mind are
affected first. The power of voluntary
choice, or the ability to govern it's own
action is, in our opinion, the highest at
tribute of mind. We notice that under
the influence of alcoholic stimulants the
imagination and fancy are aroused to
unwonted activity. This, however, is
no proof of the beneficial effect of these
stimulants. On the contrary it shows
that the mental equilibrium has been
destroyed. 1t is a sad evidence that the
great controlling principle of the mind is,
at least measurably, suspended. But
whilethe higher intellectual attributes
are thus invaded and weakened, 1.-THE baser
passions are awakened'to increased ac-
tivity. When the mind is in a healthy
condition. the lower passions and pro-
pensities are held in check by the will
the governing principle of the mind.
They are allowed to act only under such
as reason approves. But
the work of alcohol upon the mind,
through its effect upon the brain, is
to rob it of its highest attribute: to des-
troy its self-controlling power. Reason
no longer reigns. An enemy has en-
shaved her. The will issues it mandates
feebly or not at all. The lower passions
and propensities usurp authority. The
animal predOminates. And now, like a
vessel at sea without compass or pilot,
the man is driven and tossed upon the
bolsterous waves of depraved passion.
And how many are wrecked here! How
many noble craft, some of them the adj
miration of the world, have foundered in
this storm, and have sunken in the dark
waters of drunkenness to be seen no more!
laden with moral and mental wealth,
with sails set and streamers flying, has
entered these turbulent waters from the
pleasant and alluring inlet of occasional
indulgence, with little or no thought of
danger, until suddenly the wild hurri-
cane has swept down upon them. The
fierce tempest that few Outlide has
driven them on, unmanaged, uncon-
trollan tn ctrau1 I1nnn tho loo cbora Of
confirmed drunkenness. And all along
this dismal coast lie the wrecked, dis
mantled hulks of noble manhood.
Wondering and rOtting under the per-
petual and relentless storms of uncon-
querable appetite.
| repeat, the effect of the use of alco-
holic stimulants is to rob the mind of its
self-controlling power, and place it
under the dominion of the lower pas
siOns. This accounts for the frequent
commission of crimes of all grades by
persons while under the influence of
alcohol. Men prepare themselves for
deeds of villainy by cOpious draughts'of
liquor. The murderer
nerves himself for the work of death in
this way. John Wilkes Booth, fearing
that his determination to murder the
President would fail, rushed to the near
est bar and shrieked brandy, brandy.
After hastily swallowing two or three
glasses he returned sufficiently brutal
lied for the assassin's work.
The effect of alcohol upon the better
part of mans nature is seen in the fact,
that nearly three -fourths of all the
crimes committed, are committed by
nersOnS ad1icta1 tn tic usa and ,pdar