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

AlcoZo! not an Aid to Digestion.
and opposed the fallacy here combated, for two of his
aphoristic remarks are that "water-drinkers have keen
appetites," and that "hunger is abated by a glass of wine."
4. fD is oflen urgfed that " the stirnuius to the general syste'iz
adminiistered by a moderate guant/ly of alcohol is beneficial by
the warinmt i occasions and thze strengtih i develofis." As to
warmth, it has been previously explained that, on the
theory of Liebig, alcohol is fuel, but of a very costly and
needless kind, while, on the more recent theory of its
elimination unchanged, it has no claim at all to the title
of a heat-producing substance. Indeed, Liebig's theory
did not explain the sudden sense of warmth experienced
after the imbibition of alcohol; and, to account for this,
recourse is had to the more rapid action of the heart,
thus inducing an accelerated circulation of the blood.
But unless this excessive action of the heart is sustained
by repeated doses of alcohol, it must soon subside, and be
followed by. reaction, and, in any case, habitually to drive
the heart beyond its normal beat is to incur grave risk of
diseased complications, both from the direct effect and
the consequent reaction. All experience in the severest
climates proves beyond a question that alcohol neither
warms the blood nor enables the body to resist the cold;
and scientific experiments have established the reality of
a lowering of the vital temperature from the consumption
of alcohol, however diluted or diminutive the dose. This
important point will be reintroduced further on. That
strength is evolved and used up by alcoholic drink is
true, but this is wholly different from any development
of strength in the system —as different as expending
money is from its acquisition. Nothing is gained by
eulogizing (as some have done) natural stimuli, and then
adroitly applying the eulogium to alcohol because it, too,
is a "stimulant." The language of some distinguished
men in exposure of this verbal but dangerous fallacy may
1- -re be cited, not so much because of the authority of
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