The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1911-03-23

ALCOHOL IS NOT A FOOD. But A POISON;
NOT sTIMCLANT, BUT AN NAEsTIiETIC
IT IMPAIRS MENTAL AND MUSCULAR EP
FlOIENCY IT sHORTENs LIFE
elements that control the emotions. the
play instinct. the tendency to mix with
ones kind In relaxing good fellowship =.
Something might be said for alcohol
as an agent for suppressing That part
of the brain which is overwOrked in
the daily struggle for existence and
thereby affording opportunity for the
nervous balance to be restored by exer.
else of the simpler faculties
That some influence Is necessary to
preserve proper nervous and mental
poise is evidenced by the example Of
philosophers and scientists who have
become mentally ''lopsided." as II were.
by overuse OF one portion Of the brain
wins loss of the aesthetic faculties and
the power of appreciation of music and
poetry Is a familiar instance His
weird taste in literature. which enabled
him to enjoy the lightest and trashiest
novels. was merely the call of his sim
pier brain elements. neglected and sup
pressed by The constant exercise Of the
higher reasoning powers. tSut Is It nee.
essary to employ poisonous drug fOt
such purpose: 1t would appear not.
Is Alcohol food2
Atwater showed that alcohol III
small quantities was utilized by the
body as a food 1t hns long been
known that alcohol is burned in the
body with the production OF energy
but poisonous mushrooms also furnish
nQurishment Likewise. as Atwater
states. human flesh is digestibie and
nourishing. but that is no reason for
using IL as food
Experience Of Life Insurance.
Life Insurance companies are quite
particular to exclude not only heavy
drinkers. but those. whose habits show
| a trend in this direction They are tax
| ing no chances with alcohol. and the!
do not want to insure people who
feed on IL This Is Il business mat
| ter with life insurance company. and
the moral phase is not considered
which means that its action Is based
upon the facts developed by expert
| ence.
The most comprehensive experienc.
tha, has been published Is that Of tll'
United Kingdom Temperance and Gen
erai I'rovitlent institution In tina
company the total abstainers were sep
arated from the temperate drinkers II
the mortality experience. with the re
suit that difference of 32 per cen
was shown in favor OF the abstainers
j Alcohol is no longer used in metlicin
MS direct heart stiinniant. II is o
some value rs rapidly available ten
porary food in the crises of severe i'll
ness, fever. etc. when ii supplies enei
gy to carry on the body work. but eve
here ii mus, be used with caution be
1 cause of its toxic effect on the hear
muscle and the fact that II lowers I'll
resistance OF the body to the poisons q
disease
Exciud!n. the moral phase of thi
question. Therefore. medical judgnien
considering solely the scientific ev
dence avnilable. nnst pronnulle
against the daily use Of alcohol
Whether the occasiana! use nf :,lt''
hoi as relaxing beverage or ana"'
,ln.i for overatiive brain renisrs
permissible each m:ii, must de'hl.' Il
, linself II Is right however. thu! ~
grave risks Of even occasional india
,enrt siHlild lie kiinWn and re,.seil
.,ared Cpri;llnly no man ut feel.