The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1907-04-07

than III, Mnker2
The Effects Of Alcohol.
Editor Of The Timcs-D Dispatch:
Slr,-1 have read with considerable
interest the editorial In The Times
dispatch on tho ''Effccts of Az
cohol.' rejoice to SEQ Tho Times Dis
patch calling tho public's attention to
IN this subject and inviting It's discussion.
mo subject is an important one. 1t is
not local only in It's Importance; It
=, - nhtional IT Is not national merely;
II concerns the welfare of the world
William b. Carpenter, M D.. II, r,
IN tho preface to his essay "On. tho
use ana Abuse OF Alcoholic Liquors In
Health and Disease," says: ."The OK
pcricnco OF every practitioner must
bring the terrible results OF intemper-
ance frequently before his eyes. but
whilst hcis thus rendered familiar with
It's consequences as regards individuals.
few, save those who have exnreasIv
inquired into tho subject have any
idea OF the extent OF tho social cyils
resulting from It, or Of the degree in
which they press upon every member
OF tho community Tho author believes
that he Is justified In the assertion
that among those who have thus In
CURED. there Is but one opinion M
to tho fact that, OF nll3thc causes which
arc at present conspiring to degrade
the physical moral and intellectual
condition of the mass OF the people,
there Is not one to be compared In
potency with the abuse OF alcoholic
liquors; and that II this could be done
away with, the removal OF all other
causes would be immeasurably pro-
NOTED. Every ono who wishes well
to his kind. therefore, must be inter-
csted In the inquiry how this monster
evil can be eradicatcd."
III estimating the value OF opinions
upon scientific subjects. 1t Is necessary
to consider the character and capacity
OF the persons enunciat!ng them. ARD
they honest. truthful and impartial!
Have they given diligcnt and reason
able study to the subject? Are the
opinions the result OF experience. keen
observation md careful and critical
comparison OF facts? Or are they tho
impromptu assertion OF one who has
not Informed himself OF the meaning
| OF the very terms OF tho matter dis
| cussed?
There ar emen OF the highest order
| OF intellect who have devoted years
| OF patient, faithful. critical study OF
tho use and effects OF alcohol upon the
| human system. and who have been fully
| convinced that tho effects are evil
The names OF these men arc legion.
| but I Will mention only two Sir Bcnja-
| min Ward Richardson, upon whom
! Queen Victoria conferred the honor OF
! ltnlghthood for his distinguished SER.
i vices In his profession, was engaged in
the study OF alcohol and Its effects upon
| tho human system for many years be-
/ fore he became II total abstaine,; Ezra
| M. Hunt. A. NJ. M. d. In his essay on
| '-rhe Therapeutic Value OF Alcohol as
Food and as Medicine" presented to
/ the international Medical Congress.
l which met In Philadelphia In Septem-s
her, 1876, says: I'VE commenced the
1 examination OF the cietetlc and med
zeal value OF alcoholic drinks. we con-
fess. with only moderate misgivings as
1 to their availability. We have been
4 accustomed to their use under the In
struction of authors, although IN the
a line OF experience we had come to
doubt their utility in very many cases.
"Bound by no pledges OF personal
abstnancc, and feeling personal re-
q sponsiblity to use the best remedy
q which the case in hand might res
uulrc, we have conducted this study as
Il we would thta Of any article In the
. ormamentarlum OF foods or medicines,
with the one exception. that we have
confined ourselves mostly to chemists
and practitioners, and even sllghted
the evidence OF physicians who, MS tenn
perance reforners. had been accused Of
s prejudgment. Careful examination OF
scores OF testimonies from chemical
and medical exports show that from
d any such tests as tho natural sciences
institute. alcoholHhas thus Tar failed to
establish itself as a contributor to It's
? sue or to force in such way as to cntitlo
"A It to rank with foods. This has not
! been owing to the lack Of diligence on
t the pnrt Of those who would so classify
It," (P 116.)
, OF alcohol as a medicine, he says on
), mage 124: when practical medicine
! tells us that thrce-quartcrs Of oil dis
: eases In adults. who drink at all are
4 caused thereby, and when pathology
3 shows its greatly prcdominating ac-
/, ton to be that Of n neurotic even
9 where It's general effects arc not 50
!, obvious, we may we'll watch It with
Ii careful eye. The practitioner needs
: to respond with incontcstable evidence
9 of a. value which rigid science pros
t nounccs untenable. and which variable
experience has not established
: "When the wailng cry OF evil to So
$ ciety reaches US, high moral obliga-
:, lions require us to make out q clear
! necessity OF use. or else ignore the
O article. II there is q doubt, society
o in this case is entitled to the benefit Of
= the doubt"
! 1 can cite other authorities and make
= quotations which might be Valuaple
a to and should be appreciated ny ms
It reading public If Tho Dlspntcf
it will give tho opportunity.