The Somerset reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1868-1909, 1902-05-08
Not Needed as Medicine.
Tskowhegan w. Z. T. U.l

an indispensable agent IN It's applcatlOns
In redicine and the arts. There was
more truth in this assumption fifty, or
even thirty years ago, than at present,
as science had not at those periods made
sufficient advancement to supply substi-
tutes for the alcoholic liquids. Vast
changes have occurred in medicine, phar-
macy, chemistry, and In all art processes
since the days Of the early temperance
reformers, and it Is we'll to look about
and ascertain our true position as re-
CARDS the present necessity for the use
Of alcohol.
The scope of the News is inadequate
to discuss The matter In detail, and there
fore at present we can give only brief
summary of the reasons which lead US to
conclude that alcohol subserves no indis-
pensible uses 10 the world. Its domestic
or household applications are consider
able in number, and regarded by some as
important. La this direction, however,
they are very much less SO than former
ly, before science shed upon families q
clearer light. Since 1t became known
that alcoholic solutions of camphor, par
egoric, cordials, tincture of peppermint,
etc ARTICLES once found In every house
hold ARE remedial agents OF doubtful
efficacy, or positively hurtful under in
discriminate use, they have been TO a
large extent banished from dwellings.
Camphor is drug not needed In any
family, save as an insecticide. The old
camphor bottle, containing rum and
the drug which host of exasperated
and deluded men furnished In the face
of DR.. Lyman Beecher when he COM
menced his temperance crusade fifty
II Of hn DnF
or alcohol as an embrocation was for
merly regarded as of the highest efficacy
but 1t Is now known that hot or cold
water is a much better application to in
famed surfaces.
1t Is well to remember that favorite
aromatics, like peppermint, ginger, etc.,
are now associated with sugar In elegant
forms, and are easily accessible to every
one when needed.
Since the active alkaloidat and resin
oidal principles OF roots, banks and gums
have been isolated and put into more
convenient forms, there Is no longer
need of alcoholic tinctures and elixirs.
Laudanum, which Is tincture of opium,
might be banished from the shelves of
every apothecary, as 1t Is not needed. IL
is now known that the valuable narcotic
contained in certain crystalline bodies,
which can be isolated, and used in minute
and convenient forms, and that they can
be held In aqueous solutions. Alcohol is
no longer needed TO hold the active prin-
ciples of opium, Peruvian bark or other
indispensable drugs AS regards the
vegetable tonics, so called, the best
among them Is the columbo (Rddir col
\ ID ~ 10 yto do TO
principle to water, AS do quassia, gen.
tian, SIENNA, rhubarb, and most other val
liable substances. A careful survey OF
the contents of well-appointed modern
pharmacy leads TO the conclusion that
there is no one indispensable medicinal
preparation which requires alcohol as a
free constituent.
The chemist, more particularly the
pharmaceutical chemist, may inquire
how he is to conduct his processes with.
out alcohol. 1t is from the pharmaceuti-
cal laboratory we derive some of the
most important substances used In medi
cine and the arts. Among them may be
named ether, chloroform and chloral n.y.
drate, three of the most indispensable
agents known to science; and the en-
pleyment of alcohol is essential to their
duct; 1t is chemical agent which be-
longs to the laboratory; 1t is the hand
maid of the chemist, and, so long as it
exists, should be retained within the
walls OF the labratory.
The question is not whether alcohol
may not sometimes be convenient or,
perhaps, useful, but whether 1t is indis.
pensible or necessary, IN medicine and
IL no hnr sod fh..y
modern science has given US glycerine,
naptha, bisulphide of carbon, pyroligin
Gus products, carbolie acid and hun
dred other agents, which are capable OF
taking the place of alcohol in a very
large number of appliances and processes.
The naturalist is no longer dependent
upon alcohol for the preservation of his
wonderful specimens; and the artisan no
longer needs alcohol to obtain conven-
lent heat for his tools, or to facilitate his
labor: cheaper and equally good su6stl-
tutes have been provided.
The perfumer employs alcohol in
many of his products; but the question
arises, "Have we need of the pertumer?"
The man who fabricates one smell TO
cover up another may be very useful
artisan; but certainly he is in no sense
and odorous extracts. the perfumer can
dispense with alcohol, and, If its Danish
ment should occur, our good ladies
would not know the event from meeting
with any unsupplied wants at the per.
tuners.
AS regards the medicinal value of any
of the spirituous liquors which are
known in commerce, very much may be
said. In all cases of disease where an al
coholic seems to be indicated, science
presents non-alcholics that may serve an
equally useful purpose. The alcohol
question as related to medicine may be
summed up in few words. In some
cases of extreme exhaustion or debility,
it may be regarded as convenient agent
il carefully employed; but in no in
stances Of disease of any form Is it a
medicine which might not be dispensed
with, and other agents substituted.
This view of the chemical and thera-
peutical needs and uses of alchol, as re-
lated to the human family is not present.
ed from the standpoint of the temperance
orator, but from that Of the scientific
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. Science Ne,os.