The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1897-06-25
w. C.. T. u. COLUMN,
CONDUCTED BY MRS. NJ. L. HOBBS.
The Curse of Curses.
". Jennings Demore-t.

As our whole civilization, includ-
ing our moral and material interests,
is so largely dependent on the hab
its and customs of the community,
il is of the greatest possible impor-
tance that the people understand
the nature, and fully realize the ef-
fects of alcohol on the human body.
Statistics and undeniable facts of
every days occurrence 60 TO prove
that all other evils that now curse
the world, and ieopardize society,
bear but a small comparison To the
disease, misery, crime and general
Injury that alcohol is producing.
But the new developments of
science, experience and enlightened
reason is fast dissipating the noun
tains of prejudice, interest and pas
sion that have so long tolerated and
sanctioned the use of alcoholic bev-
erages, and the future is all aglow
with encouragement for the entire
prohibition of these poisonous
Liquids by the enactment of law for
that purpose.
Contrary to all preconceived
ideas, and contrary to the claims Of
interested parties, nearly all scien-
fists now agree in placing alcohol
among the most destructive, viru-
lent and deadly poisons.
1t is found that small quantity
of pure alcohol by paralyzing the
nerves will kill almost Instantly.
When taken in the form OF whis-
ky, brandy, beer, wines, etc, its
poisonous effects are not so aDpar-
ent, on the contrary it seems to
brighten while dulling; to strength
en- while weakening, and to stimu-
late while narcotizing.
This fascinatingly deceptive ma
ture of alcoholic liquors makes them
all the more dangerous, the drinker
being always deceived by his sensa-
tions.
He even thinks he is warmed when
he has less animal heat, and some
times thinds his mental faculties
frightened when most confused.
Alcohol, whether produced from
the refuse decomposition of fermen-
tation of grape-juice, grain, malt, or
the decay of other vegetable sub
stances, always acts as general
caustic poison, and attacks the en-
tire system, not, like most other
poisons, special parts only.
1t always produces a more or less
general injury and degeneration Of
all the vital forces of the body.
Therefore, there cannot be any
such thing as moderation" in the
use of alcoholic liquors.
Alcohol being always true to its
poisonous nature, paralyzes the
nerves or produces a corrosive in
hammation, even when taken in,
small quantities, or however much
it may be diluted.
As it is positive poison, and is
not assimilated when it enters the
system, all the natural energies Of
the body are aroused, and taxed TO
their utmost to expel the poisonous
intruder.
This process of elimination takes
place, partly through the breath,
by the lungs, through the kidneys,
and also through the innumerahle
pores of the skin, while the caustic
action OF alcohol on the mucous
membranes and the tissue always
produces congestive inflammation,
with more or less paralysis Of the
entire system.
This assault not only compels
extra work from these various or
gans of the body, but they are more
or less weakened, and therefore suf-
fer according to their tendency to
disease; thus, weak lungs with con
sumption; weak kidneys with
Bright's disease; liver with ulcers,
the heart with paralysis, and the
skin with redness or inflamed veins,
sometimes accompanied with erup-
tions, and in cases OF pneumonia,
and other dangerous or
contagious diseases, the result is
nearly always fatal.
Having strong affinity for water,
alcohol disorganizes all these nor
NAL functions which free and cleanse
the organism, by absorbing the oxy-
gen necessary for the huidiiy and
purity OF the blood, producing
bloated, fatty degeneration, and
causing the system to become
clogged with impurities.
Alcohol's caustic effects also de-
teriorates the saliva, Injuries and
wastes the juices of the stomach,
toughens the food, whereby digcs-
ton becomes disturbed and imped-
ed, and above all it iniures and
A.