The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1909-11-06
DILUTED ALCOHOL
IS BAD MEDICINE.
Admission Physician Answers
Argument of the Amenders
KlLBY With AMENDERS
Says, However, That Submission of
Amendment Is Great Risk-Oefeat
May Mean Fatal Blow to Pro-
hibtion-GeneraI News.
KlLBY With ANENDERS

in reply to newspaper interview, recent
ly published from DR.. A. n. Steele, re-
garding the question as to whether di-
luted alcohol tends to serve the same pur-
pose of, and is really more beneficial In
case of sickness, than whisky or other
alcoholic stimulants. DR.. Steeles inter-
view was intended to dispel the import
ance the ants seem to place on the fact
that under the present prohibition laws
physicians cannot prescribe whisky ex-
cept under strict regulation even in cases
Of dire necessity, and attempted to show
that diluted alcohol would serve the pur-
pose. DR.. Huger's statement about the
use of white lime Is to the point and
will no doubt be indorsed by the ma
jority of physicians. The statement fol-
lows:
Admission, Ala, November 9, 1909.
capt. A. P. Agee. Chairman Anti
Amendment Committee, City.
MY Dear Captain: In reply to your
inquiry II, In my opinion. there is any
difference between a certain quantity of
whisky and an equivalent amount of a
mixture of water and alcohol, contain
ing the same percentage of alcohol, say
without a moments hesitation that there
is all the difference in the world.
And In this opinion l am substantiated
by the common experience of mankind
Things may be composed of identically
the same ingredients and yet may be en-
tirely different. Take the familiar ex-
ample of bread. Give two persons the
same -four. the same everything that is
used in the making Of bread-the same
oven, If you please. The one will hand
you next day something called bread,
but which is really brick; the other will
hand you a delicious loaf of the staff of
life. Are they the same thing? One would
make a rhinoceros think Mr.. Roosevelt
had shot him; the other would make a
young man ask If the lady was married.
The chemist would find the same things
in both, measure for measure; the stom-
ach would hand down a dissenting opin-
ion.
The only respect in which mixture
of alcohol and water can resemble whisky
or brandy is the percentage of alcohol
to bulk. The former anyone can put to-
gether in a minute; the latter requires
skill and years in their preparation. l
know of no use to which such mixture
of alcohol and water can be put unless
it be to preserve pathological specimens.
It is not strong enough for spirit lamp,
and it is too strong for sponge bath.
The wines, whisky and brandy have been
used for centuries in the treatment of
the sick, and cannot be substituted by
alcohol and water in place of the vinous.
spurious and malt liquors universally pre-
scribed.
Whisky differs from brandy in its
therapeutic effects. as does every wine
from the other-sherry having different
effect from champa gne-though both are
built on an alcoholic basis. These differ
ences are inherent and cannot be repro
duced by extemporaneous formulae. The
very thought of swallowing mixture OF
alcohol and water is enough to turn
strong stomach, and l should think would
be absolutely revolving to sick one.
As 1 never expect to make such test
In person or upon a patient, l shall be
glad to hear your experience. should your
scientific curiosity ever induce you to in
vestigate the matter in your own proper
person 1t has small prospect OF becom-
ing a popular beverage.
Good whisky or bourbon, on the other
hand Will allay gastric disturbance,
soothe a perturbed nervous system and
only run the risk, perhaps, of keeping
patient awake for fear of being asleep
when the time for the next dose comes
around-and this regardless of the fact
of his being an amendist or a conserva-
tive.
1.-THE proposed constitutional amendment
was no doubt, conceived in kindness but
in its desperate attempt TO forever pro
hibit the sale of intoxicating liquors 1t
has simply gone too far. and must work
its own destruction 1t is monstrosity
to deny to the sick the right TO use
remedies universally employed for their
recovery. and even makes criminals OF
their friends who procure stimulants for
their relief and restoration TO health. The
attorney generals obiter dictum. then, Is
not surprising that the eight ounces OF
alcohol mentioned in the Carmichael Dill
includes whisky. as he must see that the
letter of the law lSilleth, If the spirit OF
the same is supposed to give HE IL
works hardship on the sick which could
never have been contemplated and would
not stand a day but for the fact that II
is nullified and violated every day In the
wear and every hour of the day
would not hesitate an instant to
administer whisky or brandy, in the pres
ence of the sheriff and all his deputies
and constables. to a man needing the
same. and | should feel perfectly safe
In doing so No court, city, circuit or
supreme, could hold me guilty OF GRIM
inal act in an attempt to save human
life without declaring the law reductio
sd absurdum and the state uncivilized
territory. II courts could be found 80
lost to common sense I would still have
~ men good and true about whose YER
dict there could be no doubt
.erhis law works special hardship upon
the poor-the sick child and the SICK
woman. Illness or accident comes upon
them as suddenly as cyclone. Ihey
need stirnulants. How are they going TO
get them? The man of means can take
care of himself Every man in Admission
~ This class-amendist and anti-lias some
of the best brand ] doubt not, laid up
for the needful hour. A gentleman near
Iv stripped a friend Of mine of his sup
NV 7 do not blame him. He evidently
agreed with me that alcohol and water
was not a At drink for human being.
In this opinion we have behind US almost
the entire medical profession, all the text
books of which have any knowledge and
tba practice of all the great hospitals.
s.If alcohol and water furnished pure
article lust as good as old whisky and
French brandy, why do not these CHART
able institutions, always eager to cur
tail expenses, cut off thousands or dol
lars by adopting alcohol and croton water
as their stimulant? ! hardly think they
would concede SO much to simple con
venience and the palates of their pauper
patients Yours very truly
"R p. HUGER. NJ. D."
Smith Official Stenographer.
Howard L. Smith, who for the past
three years has held similar positions
Ia Tails6ega and Montgomery cou.',;-s
has been elected to the orrioe of official
court reporter for Calhoun county, which
place was created by an act of the last
legislature, and he will assure his duties
In that capacity on January l, 1910. The
election was made by the board Of county
commissioners. now In session here. 1t
embraces both the circuit and city court.
and pays salary and fees. the term Of
office lasting four years. Mr.. Smith won
the position over several applicants, he
being one of the 600 members of the Ma
tional Court Reporters association. said
to be a very select body. There has been