Mississippi leader. (Jackson, Miss.) 1892-1895, 1893-09-05
ALCOHOL.
The Impartial Verdict Of Sci
ence Concerning 1t.
\ Scientific Aspect of the Lii
quOr Question.
A. f. T. Longhurst, NJ. d., in West
minister Review for July.l

A. r.. L. Longhurst, M. d., in West
minister Review for July.l
First, let us ask, Does alcohol
exist ready-made in nature, or is
it formed within the body as the
result of changes in the food tax
en- for nutrition The only scien-
tifc answer to these questions
must be, No.
If we look to the properties of
alcohol, we find scientists agree
ing that in large doses it is mar
cotic poison, killing by suffocation
through its paralyzing influence
on the respiratory nerve-centres;
and in smaller, but continuous,
doses, by the structural changes
which it exerts in the several or
gans and tissues of the body.
Chemically, it is hydrocarbon,
devoid of nitrogen, hence can
give no real or permanent
strength.
By its action on the blood-cells
it checks oxidation by limiting
their power of absorbing oxygen
and eliminating carbonic acid, and
by its strong affinity for water it
dries up the tissues, causing
thirst. Alcohol, therefore, in
any quantity, interferes more or
less with the puriication of the
blood and the healthy oxidation
of the tissues.
1t is common idea that alco-
hol produces Il warming effect in
cold weather. This feeling of
warmth depends, in the first place,
on the fact that the paralysis of
the central nervous system causes
an increased blood-supply to the
surface of the body; and, second
ly, in all probability, on the
bunting of the sensibility of the
central organs which are concern
ed in the sensation of cold.
The stimulating action which
alcohol appears to exert on the
physical functions is also only a
pralytic action. Again, there is
a strong belief that alcohol gives
new strength and energy after
fatigue has set in. The sensation
of fatigue is one of the safety
valves of our machine; to stife
the feeling of fatigue in order to
do more work, is like closing the
safety valve so that the boiler
may be overheated and explosion
result.
1t is commonly thought that
alcoholic drinks aid digestion, but
in reality the contrary would ap-
pear to be the case, for it it has
been proved that meal without
alcohol is more quickly fol-
lowed by hunger than a meal with
alcohol. If, then, we ask def
nitely what is the most recent tes-
timony of science as to the use of
alcohol as a food, we very prop
erly inquire what constitutes a
food! The answer is, that the
food employed for the nourish
ment of the body must have the
same, or nearly the same, chemi-
cal composition as the body itself.
The result of scientific research
mp to the present time is more
and more against assigning any
definite food-value, direct or indi-
rect, to alcohol.
In connection with the sani-
tation armies, thousands ofexper
iments upon large bodies of men
have been made, and have led to
the result, in peace or war, in
every climate, in heat, cold, or
rain, soldiers are better able to
endure the fatigue of the most ex-
hausting marches when they are
not allowed any alcohol at all. A
similar result is observed in the
case of the navies.
That mental exertions of all
kinds are better undergone with
out alcohol, is generally admitted
by most people who have made
the trial.
1t appears certain that from 20
to 80 per cent. of crime, so to so
per cent Of all poverty, and from
10 to 40 per cent. of the suicides
in most civilized countries, are to
be ascribed to alcohol. Surely
the day is past when upon dietet-
ic grounds there is any indispen-
sable ease for tho moderate or ha-
bitual uee of alcoholic beverages.
If we summarize the most recent
scientific conclusions as to alcohol
and its action on the human sys-
tenn, they will be somewhat as