The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1906-06-24
SU M MER DRINKS.
All Kinds, From Real Booze to Pink
Lemonade.

From the New York Herald.
When warm weather comes. next to the
matter of thin and light clothing for cool
ing purposes is the question of proper
drinks and beverages to make suffering
mortals comfortable How to choose these
and get the most of good from them Is
often a matter of venture on one hand
and doubt on the other AS a rule, Whlch
Is usually Il good one, we follow the die
tates of our appettes, but In the matter
of sophisticated drinks such rule Is
not always a safe one.
The qualification of thirst is the most in
sistent of all our physical needs This Is
explained when we learn that four ffths
of the body Is nothing more than liquid
substance. To maintain proper eauilib-
rum of consistent working force due
equivalent OF water pure and simple must
always be maintained. Nature provides
the material in prodigal abundance. and no
one need suffer who is satisfied with 1t In
it's pure and simple form; but man in his
progressive and ingenious propensity has
gone beyond this. He cultivates his appe-
tite rather than strives to simply satisfy
1t. Hence we have all sorts of drinks
hard, soft medium, indicated, favored
and gaseous, which appeals to all sorts or
tastes and requirements. The public will
have them in spite of the protests OF re-
formers.
The world betterers generally are apt to
go too far in their plea for absolute alb
stinence. To be plausible we must be
reasonable. No absolute rule can hold
in all cases. Much as it might shock the
teetotalers, even alcoholic drinks properly
diluted and taken at proper times in
decent moderation by weak and old per-
sons are by no means always hurtful.
main argument against their use in such
cases is that they are so often adulter-
ated and contain ingredients that are
positively poisonous in their slow but sure
way
For mere cooling purposes. however
spirituous liquors in any form are mere
illusions. When imbibed between meals
with such intent their purely stimulating
effect is very transitory, and period of
compensating depression Is almost sure to
follow. The consequence OF the act Is
thus far from being continuously satis-
factory and calls for frequent repetition
of the dose. The temporary flare up Is
mere shavings to the fire.
The stomach also suffers in the long run
as the result of constant irritation. espec-
tally if otherwise empty at the time; its
coats become thickened and inf1amed; the
appetite for food is diminished, and liver
and kidney diseases follow. These are the
penalties of the habitual hard drinker
that should cause him to stop and think.
Beer is a compromise In this regard, as
it requires very much more to produce
the same effects. It's only recommended
tion is claimed to be that 1t can be more
easily Limited in quantity and harmful
ness. Moderate Indulgence is not likely
to hurt any ordinarily healthy individual.
Gin, the basic constituent of some COCK
tails. is pronouncedly diffusable stinu-
liant, but is apt to act injuriously upon
the kidneys. more particularly, and to
induce an uncomfortable perspiration'
which may last for hours
Mixed drinks as a rule, giving the
greatest opportunities for adulteration
are most apt to contain dangerous tonic
agents. Absinthe, for instance. Is said to
be composed of nine poisonous essences.
Such light wines as are taken COOL be-