The Dolores star., 1910-02-18
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RISKS IN EXTREME MEASURES
Alcohol Problem Apt 70 Ds confuset
BY ovsr-xsaious Advoeatss-eome
Of Its Benefits.
(By Joseph Collins, M. d.

(By Joseph Collins. N. d.
Every now and then some one at
tacks the alcohol question with such
inordinate zeal and bigotry that not
only does he see red. but he radiates
the binding light.
What is the use Of denying that al.
cohol Is stimulant? That 1t Is .
rtimulant everybody who has ever
taken 1t can testify. Does II make 1t
any the less stimulant because 1t
Is followed by reaction. in which de-
preston is a most conspicuous fea-
ture? OF what service 10 1t to deny
that alcohol is a food and that the
oxidation of It can be directly used as
q source of muscular energy, just be-
cause 1t can be utilized as a food only
in very small quantities? Because
Won Helmholtz could not think SO ef-
fectively and SO crestively after he
had taken small quantities of alcohol.
II does not follow that Smith or Jones
cannot. In fact can present incon-
testable evidence to show that Smith
or Jones never have creative thoughts
except after they have taken alcoholic
stimulants.
What is all this cry about health :?
We make health a cult, sort of fe-
tish worship. Is the object Of life
health, or is the object Of life happi
ness and preparation for a more ele-
waited position In transit to immortal
ity? The chief obstacle to happiness
is no longer fear of gods and of the
hereafter. as 1t was In the days of the
Hellenic philosophers; diseases and
fear OF disease have taken their place.
Witness the success Of Quimbyites
and Eddyites and Worcesterites, and
other spurious revivalists of tainted
neoplatonism.
Suppose, then. a small quantity of
an agreeable alcoholic beverage should
contribute to that state of deep peace
and perfect contentment In which we
feel secure against the storms Of life.
and not only we feel 1t for ourselves.
but we likewise feel that we have con.
tributed materially to secure It for
others. il It not justifiable in our phil
osophy Of the object of life to take It?
Or shall we be deferred from doing so
because Mr.. Hodge proved that kit
ten that had a "hold-over" for several
days was less playful than a total alb
stainer?
No one has the opportunity of wit
Messing the baneful. pernicious. inju-
rious effects Of taking alcohol that the
physician has and probably no physi.
clan maintains that the use of alcohol
except on special occasions 10 bene-
ficial or desirable. The physician's
work soon teaches him to recognize
limitations and to see things as they
are. Consumption Of alcohol IL we'll
nigh universal and this condition of
affairs is not going to cease under the
influence Of fanatical cries from the
housetops about the injuries that tenn
perate consumers Of 1t are doing them
selves.
The way to bring about reform is
by process Of education and not
through fright. Personally l have
nothing but condemnation for alcohol,
but do not condemn 1t SO completely
as to think 1t advisable to cease tax
ing 1t occasionally whenever l am 80
disposed. for believe 1t praiseworthy
80 to comport yourself as to give
pleasure to him in whose image YOU
are made. The quality that distin-
guishes man. godlike man, above all
others IL the capacity for inhibition,
and there are few better opportunities
for him to display that quality or
more teRtinRly than that o6arod NV
John Barleycorn.
am convinced that the world
would be better place in which to
live and those who live in It would
be much better of physically, mental
ly, socially and financially II alcohol
was not consumed. but such convic-
tion does not deprive me of the capac-
ity to see the pros and cons of the
subject.