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cruciating agony, spasms of the stomach, temporary paralysis, and loss of intellect; these he attributed to some natural

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the remainder of the liquor to a person that called on him in the morning.

In about an hour that person was similarly affected. This induced inquiry; and it was ascertained, that the woman who served the liquor had mistaken the bottle, and had sold half a pint of the fluid intended to prepare the adulterations for sale. The last mentioned person who partook of the infernal mixture, died of its effects.

The evidence brought forward in this chapter indisputably proves the general practice of adulterating intoxicating liquors to a most dangerous and alarming extent. The various authors from whose works quotations have been made, are unanimous in their testimony of the existence of this nefarious practice. Many of these proofs are extracted from books actually published by direction of the adulterators, and contain specific directions for the adulteration of each liquor. This is done in the most deliberate manner, and totally regardless of the fatal consequences which must inevitably result from so injurious a practice. That the beer sold at inferior houses is

very

much drugged, is proved from the stupifying effects it has on its wretched consumers. The appearance of these poor creatures is piteous indeed. Their haggard countenances, and stupified features excite the strongest emotions of pity and disgust.

The practice of adulteration has, at various times, been defended as not being so injurious as is commonly represented. The quantity of drugs used is stated to be so small as to prove comparatively harmless. This defence is on the face of it, weak and fallacious. The facts also which have appeared before the public, indisputably decide to the contrary. Several fatal cases, resulting from the practice, have already been advanced, and no doubt, great numbers of others might be traced to the same cause. A popular writer remarks, that “it is, no doubt, to the unprincipled adulterations of food, spirits, malt liquors, &c., that a great number of sudden deaths, which are constantly happening, in and about the metropolis is assignable. The adulteration, it is true, is not sufficient to cause instant death; but it operates slowly, and silently, and imperceptibly, so as not to excite sufficient suspicion and inquiry respecting the cause. This is not an idle or a random. remark, but one founded on much observation, and on very probable grounds. It is hoped that it will awaken public attention and inquiry, respecting these nefarious transactions.*

• Oracle of Health and Long Life, p. 31.

PART IV.

CHAPTER XII.

GENERAL EFFECTS OF INTEMPERANCE ON THE HUMAN SYSTEM.

« Providence has gifted 'man with reason i to his reason, therefore, is left the choice of his food and drink, and not to instinct, as among the lower ani. mals. It thus becomes his duty to apply his reason to the regulation of his diet, to shun excess in quantity, and what is noxious in quality, to adhere in short to the simple and the natural; among which the bounty of his Maker has afforded him an ample selection; and beyond which, if he deviates, sooner or later he will suffer the penalty.”—Prout, Bridgewater Treatise.

-In our world, death deputes
Intemperance to do the work of age;
And, hanging up the quiver nature gave him,
As slow of execution, for dispatch
Sends forth licensed butchers; bids them slay
Their sheep, (the silly sheep they fleeced before,)
And toss him twice ten thousand at a meal.

O what heaps of slain
Cry out for vengeance on us."--YOUNG.

An examination of human physiology necessarily leads us to the following conclusions :

1st. The human system has been constructed with a view to perfection. All its operations are intended to harmonize with each other, and to produce that state which is denominated health.

2dly. This perfection or health depends on the proper performance of all the physical functions, which can be secured only by a careful investigation and observance of the laws of nature : and,

3dly. Every deviation from health arises from some irregular organic action or infringement of the laws in question ; for which mankind are alone responsible to both their own nature and its divine author; and they must suffer the unavoidable penalties consequent on improper indulgence.

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This interesting investigation also leads up to the conclusion that the Creator has bestowed upon man a sufficient guide for his direction in the choice of his food, and in the regulation of his physical powers.

First, By the constitution of his system, and,

Second, By the effects which invariably follow unlawful indulgence.

In the present chapter it is intended to consider some of the more prominent effects of intemperance, and, in particular, such as arise from the use of alcoholic liquors.

Intemperance destroys the healthy relations of the system. -The object of food is to supply the system with nutriment, in other words, to restore the waste of matter to which the human frame, is, under all circumstances, liable. Want of food depresses or exhausts the animal powers. A judicious supply of nutriment produces invigoration and strength. An harmonious balance of the animal powers constitutes health. Health, in a great measure, depends on a proper supply of food. In this we are principally regulated by a feeling called appetite, a term which is used simply to express the present requirements of the system. Hunger and thirst are sensations common to all. În the gratification of these feelings it is of the highest importance that the human system be not subject to false and unnatural impressions. Nature, however, instructed by the wisdom of her divine author, has provided against this danger. Solid food has been furnished us in grateful variety. Liquid food, as a necessary diluent of the former, has been given to us in one variety only. Water is the grand liquid of nature, and is universally acknowledged to be best fitted to relieve the system of that state of which thirst is the requiring symptom. No other liquid is necessary for the health of man.

In proportion as we abandon the use of this admirable gift of creation, and resort to artificial compounds, do we depart from the obvious dictates of nature, and increase the probability of injurious consequences.

It is dangerous to admit articles into dietetic use which are not distinctly beneficial in restoring the natural waste of the system, and therefore cannot be denominated otherwise than articles of luxury. Alcohol, tobacco, and substances of a similar nature, in common use, do not come under the denomination of nutritive substances. They produce more or less physical excitement, but do not add to the bulk or strength of the system, or bestow permanent vigour and refreshment.

"The great evil," remarks Dr. Oliver," of drinking wine or other diffusible stimulants, particularly to the young, is not so much in its immediate effects on health, as in the danger of creating an artificial thirst for wine or other stimulants; that is, a thirst which is not expressive of any real want of the constitution, but on the contrary, is the most decisive proof that the want does not exist.

Let every young man then beware, that he does not acquire a love for wine ; for if he should, he may be assured that his constitution has received a wound, which in its consequences may be fatal. It is true, that his health may not have sensibly suffered; but the healthy relations of his system have been deranged, and the harmony between its desires and its wants (one of the most infallible signs of a sound constitution) destroyed; and as in a great majority of cases, mankind will listen to the urgent language of their feelings, rather - than to abstract considerations, in what concerns their animal wants, a foundation is laid in the loss of this natural relation for the ruin of thousands. Scarcely any more fruitful source of ruin exists among

the human race, than the loss of the correspondence and harmony established by nature between the wants and the real necessities of the system, and its feelings and language.*

INTEMPERANCE DIMINISHES AND FINALLY DESTROYS THE VITAL POWER ; that property possessed by the human frame which may be denominated the self-preserving power of nature. The vital power is that mysterious influence which pervades all living matter, imparting life, vigour, and animation in addition to the power of sustaining existence for a limited period. It sustains man through extraordinary physical exertion, and endows his constitution with the power to resist, to a certain extent, the effects of excessive heat or cold, labour and fatigue.

Man is peculiarly subject to the vicissitudes of climate and of seasons. Business or pleasure may direct him to countries, the climates of which are either in the extremes of heat or cold. In his own or foreign lands he may be exposed to sudden impressions arising from the changes, of the seasons.

All of these vicissitudes the vital power enables him to sustain with comparative impunity, provided he has not exhausted its influence by intemperate habits. The same power, in a healthy condition, preserves him from the injurious influence of Marsh Miasma, poisonous

* Dr. Oliver, Professor of the Theory and Practice of Medicine, Dartmouth College, America.

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