The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1900-04-08
Anour ALCOHOL AS A FooD.

For many weeks past there has prevail
ed very acrimonious discussion on the
general subject of alcohol as a food. The
opposing schools Of thought on the physI-
illogical effects of the use of alcohol as a
beverage have given each other many
hard knocks on the subject, and. indeed
the controversy is still maintained ac-
lively in many directions.
1t is very instructive, and, indeed. quite
amusing to learn that the form taken
ton toward the immediate occasion of it.
The theory against which the advocates
OF total abstinence have directed their
heaviest artillery OF argument was
never thought of being advanced by the
author of the original disturbing state
ment. Prof. Atwater, of Wesleyan uni
versity is Immediately responsible for
the very animating discussion The
statements which gave birth to the trou-
bic were contained in an address deliv-
cred by that gentleman on the subject
of Alcoholic Physiology
The professors main object In his ad-
dress appears to have been to establish
his position as a temperance man and at
the same time protest against the policy
of teaching what is not strictly true in
the effort TO promote temperance among
the people. The immediate remarks Of
Prof. Atwater, which have acted as a
f1rebrand thrown among the contending
forces. are as follows:
So far from regarding the results of
scientific experiments as showing that
the moderate use of alcoholic liquors is
generally to be recommended. l. myself
believe that the more advisable course
is habitual abstinence. Especially do
emphasize the Importance Of abstinence
for young persons. But to teach that
alcohol, even in moderate quantities, is
always harmful and never useful, is a
SubverSion of the truth. The injury done
by such teaching is two-fold: The boy
learns later that he has been mistaught,
and loses faith. SO that the effect is to
undo much OF the good that was intend
ed. Furthermore the child gets the idea
that deception is allowable in a good
cause, and that the end justifes the
means.
All this is very simple. 1t is hard to
understand how it could have created so
much intellectual strife OF course it
has been seized on by certain advertising
fakirs in the interest of the whisky trade
to convey the idea that Prof Atwater
had declared alcoholic drink to have the
effect of brain food. This appears to
have had much influence in stirring up
the other side, not to REPUTATION of the
professors very moderate and wel-con-
sidered statements, but to disproving GER
tain propositions which they do not con-
vey, but which In the partial Judgment
of such people they tend to sustain.
Not the most ardent temperance man
believes that the advocacy of his cause
Is always maintained on a strictly. scien-
tific foundation. Indeed many of the
most ardent temperance people are will
ing to admit that in the excitement of
the temperance crusade many things are
said that few believe save the extrem-
lists who advance them These false and
they are designed to advance; and ii was
eminently timely and wise that Prof
Atwater should call attention to the in
evitabIe effect which follows In MANY
cases upon the false claims of the tenn
perance people.
Prof Hall, Of the Northwestern uni
versity, comes to the rescue and tells
his Wesleyan brother that no one thinks
OF discarding the Biographies in use in
/ the public schools because certain dis
coveries made In recent years do not sus-
tain their teachings. True. But the fact
that the discoveries In question have
been made ought to be made known The
Biographies may not suffer, but the pu-
! pills who get the later knowledge cannot
be further misled by the false infornua-
! ton which they contain.
A good deal Of the instruction which IL
afforded in the public schools on physIo,-
ogy, given with a direct view to warn,ns
pupils against the use of alcohol, is
sheer nonsense. and Is known to he sucb
by many teachers. Moreover the WAYS
and means adopted. in many cases and
especially in this state. to introduce GER
tain text books of that purpose into
the schools will not bear too close exam
ination.
The truth is that Prof Atwater has
rendered positive service to society by
MS Investigations and his statement of
the physiological effects OF the use and
abuse of alcohol as a beverage.
TO INDIAN MOUND PARK.
Ihe recent passage of the ordinance d.