The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1900-04-11
w. CT. u. DEPARTMENT..
Conducted by tho ladies of the w. c..
L. o. of Anderson, S. C.
Some Of the Effects Of Alcohol.

| Unless the truth about the use OF
alcoholic drinks can be impressed up
on the minds of the people, we can
not hope to see the day when the sale
OF it will be universally prohibited.
In order to accomplish such an end,
we must begin right, and in order to
root out the traffic of the abominablc
stuff we must get at the very bottom of
it.
1t is claimed by many of those who
use it that it's food and nourishes
the whole body and valuable medicine
that cures when all others have failed;
and it is also claimed that the 'smcre
triAe" which it costs does not amount
to much, and, therefore. does not af-
feet the finances Of the people but
very little. All of these claims We
wish to consider in the light of facts
brought out by one of the best author
ities that the world knows, by the
president of one Of the finest medical
institutes in the United States.
TO the claim that the use of whis-
key is of food value, we must wish to
say that "the aristocratic topper who
wishes to give an sir Of respectability
to his vice, will claim that alcohol is
q food. Ii. will cite. in proof, instan-
ces in which persons have lived for
weeks by tho aid of no other nutri-
ment, taking nothing but alcohol and
and water" This semblancee Of ar
gument scarcely needs exposure; for
the most that it proves merely that
persons have lived several weeks while
taking only alcohol and water. The
fact that individuals have in several
instances been known to live from
thirty to sixty days while taking only
water, shows conclusively that these
persons who lived shorter time on
brandy and water, lived in spite of
the alcohol, instead of by the aid of
it. Of course, the whiskey that is
used in this and every other country
is not all pure alcohol. If it was, the
first "dram" that a poor fellow swal-
lowed would kill him almost instantly.
Brandy, whiskey, gin, and rum are
from two thirds to -fifths alcohol.
and alcohol is SO poisonous that tad
pole dropped into a vessel of it, will
die in minute. LeechesOand other
small animals succumb in like man
ner.
Alcohol is not a stimulant in a true
sense. The popular idea that it is
stimulant is, doubtless, the occasion
for its use as remedy by physicians.
But modern researches have shown
that alcohol cannot in any proper
sense De regarded as stimulant. It
lessons vital activity in all diseases.
The giving of alcohol to weak and
fainting persons is most pernicious
aud injurious practice, as .ha drug
serves to still further depress and
weaken the vital forces. The feeling
of increased strength impaired by alco-
hol is deceptive. This is true in both
mental and muscular effect. Prof.
Baron Liebig, a German chemist of
great renown, says: "We can prove
with mathematical certainty that as
much flour or meal as would lie on the
point of table-knife is more nutri-
tious than five measures (ten quarts)
of the best Bavarian beer. Powerful
nutriment, indeed!
| During the cold winter mouths the
drinker gets it into his head that che
muat have drink 60 warm him up.
but, psos fellow, how badly, badly de-
ceiyee he is destined to be. Shortly
after he has taken his dram feeling
of warmth is experienced. This SEN
sation is not, however, due to any in
crease in the body temperature, but
rather to a decrease, due to the fact
that the peripheral blood vessels be-
como diIated, more blood flowing to
the surface, where it rapidly cools,
thereby causing a diminution Of the
body temperature. This dilation of
the blood vessels is due to the par
alyzing effect Of the alcohol upon the
nerves supplying these vessels. There
is also a diminution, of mental activity
due to the alcohol which is brought to
the brain by the dilated arteriolcs, and
weakens the action of the brain cells.
A similar effect is produced upon the
spinal cord. The reflex action of the
cord is reduced, and the power OF CO.
ordination impaired, which accounts
for the staggering gait noticed in those
who have taken an Intoxicating draft.
The idea that alcohol gives strength is
deceptive. While any form Of alcohol