The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1898-11-23
Physicians Use of Alcohol.

Tho most interesting paper read at the
closing session Of the New York State Medi-
cal Associations annual meeting, In Mott
Memorial Hall, New York City, was written
by DR.. ]. NJ. Harrington, OF Broome County,
on "The Passing Of Alcohol"
DR.. harrington quoted the commenda-
ions formerly bestowed on alcohol by
standard medical authors, aud noted u great
change within forty years. He declared
that those OF the profession who believe iu
the general use OF alcohol as remedy are
now In the minority. and said that with the
light which has been thrown upon this SUBJ
lect during the past few years physician
subjects himself to adverse criticism, and
has need to apologize for using alcohol In
cases In which but few years ago he would
have been censured had he refrained from
using 1t. DR.. Harrington said further:
Life insurance companies have become
convinced beyond question that alcohol,
used even In moderate quantities, impairs
the vital powers and shortens life. Rail.
road companies have learned that even
moderate use OF alcohol affects unfavorably
the brain and muscular power, and, there
fore, require all engineers, conductors
brakemen and switchmen to be total alb.
stainers. Religious societies that formerly
made use OF alcoholic wine, in the celebra.
tion OF the Lords Supper, have discovered
that the use Of 1t at the communion SER
vice has, in many instances, aroused the
appetite for intoxlcants in reformed per.
sons, and thus have started them again ON
the decllvity to ruin. Churches have like.
wise learned that the use OF alcohol as a
beverage is the greatest barrier to the pro-
gress OF religious truth. Therefore, "a ma
jority Of the Christian societies have ban.
lshed Intoxicating wine from their com.
munion rites, aud use only the unfermented
luice OF the grape.
Public state ceremonies, such as the in.
auguration OF the President Of the United
States and Of the Governors Of States,
which were once scenes OF bacchanalian
revelry, have so far been modified In
Difference to public sentiment that In many
Instances no kind Of alcoholic beverage Is
furnished. Social gatherings and banquets,
where formerly champagne and other mild
lntoxicants flowed freely and were con.
sidered essential, are now frequently con.
Quoted without any form OF alcoholic
drink.
The attention OF the civilized world has
been called to the conspicuous fact OF the
accuracy OF the FIRE OF the gunners o: ouI
battleships In the recent war with Spain.
The contrast between the fire of the men
Of our navy and that OF Spain was chiefly
to be attributed, no doubt, to the custom
that prevails on the ships OF the latter,
where daily rations OF grog are furnished
to the men; while, since 1862, when that
custom was abolished by our Government,
no rations Of grog are allowed at any time
on board our ships. The custom just al,
luded to as followed by Spain is truo of all
the navles OF the world but ours. Yet
Great Britain has abandoned the double
rations OF grog when n fight is on, and
then no liquor is allowed.
DR.. Harrington appealed to his hearers
to assist in driving alcohol from the do.
main OF medicine.