The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1899-04-27

iants and tonics, and even at the pres
ent day this opinion is entertained
not only by the laity, but by a larg
number of the medical profession
Such an opinion, however, cannot
stand IN the light of scientific expert
mentation ard clinical experience.
is true that alcohol and alcoholic Hq
uors, even when taken in moderate
doses. increase the number of beat:
+ of the heart per minute. but this does
not mean that the circulation is accel
! Grated. So far from this, there is abun
dance of proof or all sides OF the ques
ton that alcohol retards the circula-
ton of the blood through the blood
vessels and tissues Of the body.
This paralyzing effect of alcohol
upon the vasomotor constructor nerves
is well illustrated in the congestion OF
the liver, of the lungs, of the face
and of ether parts of the body, seen
in persons who have been addicted &c
the use of alcoholic liquors for long
time.
4 man takes drink or two of liq-
uor. and thinks that he is stronger
that he can lift more, that he can en-
dure more physical exert;on than
he could before he took the
drinks. But if we test his mus.
cles carefully both before and after
taking the alcoholic liquor, We shall fine
that the alcohol has greatly diminished
his muscular strength. He feels strong
err, but he is really weaker. and this can
be demonstrated beyond a doubt by any
one who will take the pains to do SO.
Alcohol also destroys the normal
function of the blood. 1t unites with
the hemogiobin OF the blood, and tends
to break down the red blood-corpus-
Giles, and in every way interferes with
the cxygen-carryiag properties of the
red hloodcorpuscles. BY cutting off
The normal supply of oxygen that
should be carried to the tissues, it in
terferes with proper oxidation, and
consequently lowers the temperature
of the body. Interfering with the nutri-
tive processes OF he body generally.
Alcohol also interferes with the &C.
ton Of the Kidneys. It prevents the
elimination Of waste matter from the
body, and is often the cause of serious
disease in these organs.
It's effect is no less marked on the
nervous system than on other parts Of
the body. Experiments made in
physiological laboratories in different
parts of the country, and also in E,1-
rope, have established the fact that
when alcohol is given to rabbits or
other animals, even in moderate guam
titles. the effect upon the nerve cells
is seen almost Immediately.
The following is a partial list Of the
many diseases which it causes, and
which to large degree at least might
be prevented by abstaining from it's
use: Different forms Of paralysis, cpl |
iepsy, apoplexy, general paralysis Of
the insane, delirium tremens, different
forms of insanity, pneumonia, con-
sumption of the lungs, different forms
of indigestion, liberation of the stom-
ach, cancer of the stomach, Bright's |
disease of the kidneys, cirrhosis of the
liver, fatty degenerate of the heart,
diseases of the blood-vessels
Surely no one who will give this mat
ter thought, and look into it with an
mind and a desire to find
the truth, can come to any other conclu-.
sion than that alcohol always does
harm and is never needed in the body,
either in health or in the treatment of
disease, except it be as an antiseptic
or the purpose of destroying germs
The truth expressed centuries ago in
he language of the wise man: "IVine is
) mocler, strong drink is raging, and
vhosoever is deceived thereby is not
wise" holds equally true to-day-W.
4. Riley, NJ. d., in Good Health.