The bases of the temperance reform: an exposition and appeal./ With replies to numerous objections. By Rev. Dawson Burns.

Eff'cls of Izto.ricalinZ Liquzor onz the Consusmern. I7
from properties which it possesses in common with other
articles of consumption, or from properties peculiar to
itself. But good of the former kind would be no reason
for using strong drink, when the same good is so plentifully and innocently provided elsewhere; and, indeed, the
universal reason for using alcoholic liquor is its possessiDn of some special virtue not present in other articles
of consumption. But this special virtue can reside in
nothing but the alcohol, the intoxicating element, which
distinguishes fermented and distilled liquors from all
other articles of diet, whether solid or fluid.
In the investigation of the effects of alcoholic beverages it will be desirable to consider them, first of all, as
related to the individual, the family, and the nation.
(I). The z;zdididtal is affected by his ozwn itse of these drinks,
or by the use of lhenz by others.
Are the effects of intoxicating liquors on the consumers
salulary or otherwise? Here it is to be remarked that
rarely any advantage is claimed from them except of a
physical kind, and that even this advantage is invariably
restricted to their use "in the strictest moderation."
Any "excess" is confessed to be an evil-an evil also
allowed to prevail very extensively both in the form of
drunkenness and in less repulsive forms. Since, then,
any transgression of the rule of "moderation" is pernicious, it is important to know what this rule is, and how
it may be applied. It cannot be altogether a rule of
quantity, for the liquors greatly differ in alcoholic
strength, and even liquors of the same class have never
the same amount of alcoholic ingredient. To say that
there is no general rule, and that each must discover or
frame a rule for himself, " as in eating," is, in truth, no
direction at all; for (I) in eating there is, at least, an approximation to a general rule as to quantity; (2) occasional excess in food does not create a habit of gluttony;
and (3) no excess in food is followed by results like those