The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1898-01-08
EXPERTS ON WATER.
A Little Scientific Temperance
Sermon

A Little Scientific Temperance
Sermon.
Mr.. EDITOR:-'Ignoran is the
curse of God: knowledge the wing
with which we fly to heaven. Shakes
peare.
In your issue Of the 1st inst, you
say, Eve notice that it is the unwritten
law of medical men not to suggest or
enlarge upon the dreadful evils of in
temperance in the use of alcohol or
ice water. 1t is a cunning profession"
Let me, sir, call attention to the
fact that touching alcohol there have
been many notable exceptions to your
statement, and that those who openly
teach that its use as beverage in
any Of its forms is not only unneces-
sary, but injurious, are yearly increas-
ing in number, and are happily, be it
said, amongst the foremost minds in
the profession.
The learned William B. Carpenter,
NJ. D., F. r. S., examiner in physiolo-
gy in the University of London, Prof.
of Medical Jurisprudence in University
College. received one hundred guineas
for the best essay on the use of al
cOholic beverages in health and dis
ease" In the preface thereto he says
he believes it to be in the power of
the Clerical and Medical professions
. combined, so to influence the opinion
and practice of the educated classes,
as to promote the spread of this prin-
ciple total abstinence, to a degree
which no other agency can effect. The
learned physician further states that,
upwards of two thousand of his profess
sional brethren of ali grades and de-
grees, from the court physicians and
leading metropolitan surgeons to the
humble country practitioner, signed
the following certificate:
1--WE, the undersigned, are of Opin-
ion:
4. That a very large proportion of
human misery, including poverty, dis
ease and crime is induced by the use
of alcoholic or fermented liquors as
/ beverages.
90 That the most perfect health is
compatible with total abstinence from
/ all such intoxicating beverages, wheth-
| er in the form of ardent spirits, or as
wine. beer, ale. porter, cider, etc.
So That persons accustomed to such
| drinks may, with perfect safety, dis
continue them entirely, either at once
or gradually.
a That total and universal absti-
! oil hnvnT1 cync IF a
sorts would greatly contribute to the
health, the prosperity, the morality and
the happiness of the human race"
! In the fourth of the Cantor lectures
on alcohol. the learned Sir Benjamin
! Ward Richardson. F. R. s., says al
! page rs: Here. however, | leave the
| theoretical point to revert to the prac-
/ teal. and the practical is this: that
alcohol cannot by any ingenuity OF
/ excuse be classified amongst the foods
of man. 1t neither supplies matter fol-
construction nor heat. On the contra
~. it Injuries construction and it re-
duces temperature"
At the close of lecture the sixth, the
same thoughtful scientist says: Ell
this agent (aIcOhOD does really for the
| moment cheer the weary, and impart
a flush of transient pleasure to the
enwearied who crave for mirth, its in
fuence. doubtful even in these modes
and moderate degrees. is an infinite
sinai advantage, by the side of al
ifinity of evil for which there is Nc
compensation. and no human cure"
IF thou sayest. Behold, we knew no
this: Doth not He that weigheth the
heart consider it? And he that keep
eth thy soul doth not He know it
l am, sir. yours obedientIy,
LAYMAN.
! December. 1897.