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

56 Thze PlJysiolo,'ical LEffcc/s oXf Alcolo/.
brain, the centre of nervous sensibility, should be dis turbed by alcohol, when used in any quantity, is a sign of
the ficility with which injury is done to the seat of
thought. The action of the heart is injuriously increased
by the alcohol used, and in proportion to the amount.
The very interesting experiments made by Dr. Parkes
and Dr. Wollowicz (" Proceedings of the Royal Society,"
No. I20, I87o) showed in the case of a healthy young
soldier that "the heart during the alcoholic period did
daily work in excess equal to lifting I5 tons and 8-ioths
per foot; and in the last two days did extra work to the
amount of 24 tons lifted as far!" (Instead of daily work,
equal to lifting 122 tons one foot, the daily work done
was equal to lifting nearly I38 tons, and even I46 tons!)
In commenting on this fact, Dr. Richardson observes
(Poftlar Science IPeviek, April, I872): " Little wonder is it
that, after the labor imposed upon it by six ounces of
alcohol, the heart should flag. It is hard physical work
to fight against alcohol-harder than rowing, walking,
wrestling, carrying heavy weights, coal-heavinig, or the
treadwheel itself." Yet people-and educated people-.
mistake this exaction of work and loss of vital strength
for an increase of vigor!
3. It is impossible to enumerate a tenth of the MIEDICAL JUDGMENTS ADVERSE TO THE USE OF ALCOHOLIC
BEVERAGES, but a selection of some of the more striking
is furnished elsewhere;* and it ought to be remembered,
as adding peculiar force to these professional opinions,
that, in a great majority of cases, they are those of men
who might say, with Dr. Richardson, that their " prejudices in regard to alcohol are, by moderate habit, but
confessed inconsistelicy, in favor of it."
4. bo:ertence, bo-/ genera? ano coimzaralzve, declares that
the use of zlIo.ricalzg l/zio-rs is szot tsefzl4 bill jiDurz'ozs.
(I.) zTallzto,s anhd tribes who have lived without any alco * See Appendix G.
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