Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-06-15
SUMMER DRINKS.
A Word to the Wise in Season is
Sufficient.
From the New York Herald.

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 matter OF venture on one hand ana
doubt on the other AS a rule which IL
usually a good one, we follow the dictates
of our appetites. but In the matter or
| sophisticated drinks such a rule is not al
ways a safe one.
The qualification of thirst Is the most in
sistent of ali our physical needs. This is
explained when we learn that four-hrths
or the body is nothing more than LIQUID
substance. To maintain a proper equilib-
rum o. consistent working force due
equivalent of wSter pure and simple must
always be maintained. Nature provides
the material I'm prodigal abundance. and no
one need suffer who is satisfied Will II in
its pure and simple form; but man in hhss
progressive and ingenious propensity has
gone beyond this. He cultivates his appe-
tlte rather than strives to simply satisfy IL.
Hence we have all sorts of drinks hard,
SOFT medium. medicated. favored and
gaseous. which appeal to all sorts of tastes
and requirements. The public will have
them in spite of the protests of reformers.
The world betterers generally are apt To
go too far In their plea for absolute absti.
hence. To be plausible we must be reasons
able. No absolute rule can hold in all cases.
Much as ii might shock the teetotalers
even alcoholic drinks properly diluted and.
taken at proper times in decent modera-
ton by weak and old persons are by no
means always hurtful A main argument
against their use IN such cases is that they
are so often adulterated and contain fn-
gradients that are positively poisonous IN
their slow but sure way.
For mere cooling purposes however,
spirituous liquors I'm any form are mere
Illusions. When imbibed between meals
with such intent their purely stimulating
effect is very transitory, and a period OF
compromising depression is almost sure to
follow. The consequence of the act is thug
far from being continuously satisfactory
and calls for a frequent repetition OF the
dose. The temporary fare up IS mere
shavings in the fire.
The stomach also suffers I'm the long run
as the result of constant irritation especial
ly IL otherwise empty at the time; its coats
become thickened and inhamed; the appe-
lite for food is diminished. and liver and
kidney diseases follow. These are the pen
alties of the habituaI 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 recommendation is
claimed to be that it can be more easily
limited In quantity and harmfulness. Mod.
crate indulgence is not likely to hurt any
ordinarily healthy individual.
Gin, the basic constituent of some cock
tails is pronouncedly dfffusable stimu-
liant, but Is apt 10 act lD1urlOuS!y upon the
kidneys more particularly and to induce
an uncomfortable perspiration. which may
last for hours.
Mixed drinks as a rule giving the great
est opportunities for aduleratfon, are most
apt to contain dangerous toxic agents.
Absinthe. for instance is said to be COM
posed of nine poisonous essences.
Such light wines as are taken cool. be-
cause always drunk with meals, have a spe-
cial recommendation for general use in
summer The claret punch is deservedly
popular this account.
The so-called soft" or non-aicoholic.
drinks are VIGOROUSLY numerous. Soda
water, with Its almost countless favors. APP
pears to take the lead. In pure form with
fresh fruit syrups II may answer every puf-
pose. Unfortunately. however. 1t is becont-
ing the ready and salable vehicle for al
sorts OF drugs, patent tonics ana even alco-
hoIic stimulants in more or less disguised
form. 1t is a pity. however that lemon
ade the old Fashioned root beer, ginger
pop and sarsaparilla are getting out OF
vogue They are the sweet memories or
the boys of long ago and help them to real
ixe how cheap and coslfng were the prod
ucts OF old nanny In her little candy shop
bv the roadside.