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

Alcohol a Caiise of Dimziisized Tctfopcrat?e. 49
serves no use in the animal economy, its introduction
there (except under very rare and exceptional circumstances) must be regarded as a blunder and abuse.
Dr. Parkes, in a letter to Dr. Anstie (Practz'ioner, Feb.,
I872), while acknowledging that the more recent experiments make the destruction of some of the alcohol taken
very probable, denies that this proposition is proved, and
pertinently adds: " Even if the complete destruction
within certain limits were quite clear, this fact alone
would not guide us to the dietetic value of alcohol. We
have first to trace the effect of that destruction, and learn
whether it is for good or for evil. You seem to think
that the destruction must give rise to useful force, but I
cannot see that this is necessarily so."
(2.) Tlze f7ll of the te;iheralitre at onzce or soon after the imzbz'bilz'o, of alcoho, ol however moderaled,, is an evzdence of injtry szs/aznzed. Dr. Prout was one of the first of modern
enquirers who noted this important fact, which has been
corroborated by most subsequent experiments. For a
time the irritant effect renders the subject unconscious
of this result, but it is soon made apparent by a chilly
feeling and an increased susceptibility to external cold.
Every Arctic voyager bears witness to the injuriousness
of spirits on this very account, when used in high latitudes to any extent. Vierordt says ("'Physiology of
Respiration"): "The expiration of carbonic acid after the
use of fermented liquors is considerably diminished, and
does not return to its normal quantity for the space of
two hours." Professor Binz, of Bonn, carried out a
course of experiments upon this point, and discovered, to
his surprise, as le confesses, that in both small and large
doses alcohol lowered the temperature. "Experiments
on man, made with small quantities of alcohol, led to
very similar results. Half a glass of light hock, or a
small glass of cognac, caused a fall of from o'4~ to o'6Q
(centigrade) in a very short time." The explanation