drinking spirituous liquors." Dr. Carrick demonstrated by numerous experiments of includes in this list not only ardent spirits, a decisive character.

but all other strong liquors, such as wine, IV. The same fact demonstrated from exbeer, cider, &c., which, he remarks, "are periments on a large scale.-Within the last injurious in proportion to their strength, few years experiments on an extensive scale or the quantity of alcohol they contain." have demonstrated the correctness of the

Sir A. Carlysle recommends the same above views. plan. "I am firmly persuaded," he re

The following statement is made on good marks, "from extensive experience, both in authority: "In the prison of the State of my own person, and on thousands of others, Maine, North America, an important exduring a professional life of thirty years, periment has been made of cutting off hathat the most abandoned slave to drinking bitual drunkards, at once, from the use of may safely and wholly abstain, and that ardent spirits, in every form, and confining with certain benefit to his bodily health. them to water, and it has been found uniThe same experienced member of the medi-versally beneficial. Mr. Powers, the intellical profession, in answer to an inquiry, gent keeper of the prison at Auburn, New how a man desirous to refrain from fer-York, affirms, that the most besotted drunkmented liquors ought to abstain, replies, ards in that prison have never suffered in "In answer to your question, I beg leave to their health by breaking off at once from state, that the safest and best way, in every the use of ardent spirits, but that, almost as respect, is to do it abruptly and at once. uniformly, their health has been improved. Long-continued experience in my pro- They seem to be very uneasy, and somewhat fession has convinced me of the safety of a lost for a few days, and with rather a poor sudden transition from the daily employ-appetite, after which they eat heartily, and ment of strong drink to a water diet, and improve in health and appearance. It is that in the most inveterate habits. This worthy of remark, that, in all the persons method is the most sure, in as far as it re- where entire abstinence from ardent spirits moves the hankering after the accustomed is practised, the convicts enjoy a better beverage, which sipping and tasting, or average of health than is seen in the couneven seeing it, encourages. It is the best try at large."

66

way, because I am assured, from extensive Another statement informs us, that " observation, that whenever fermented li- more healthy and muscular body of men quors produce or keep up a disorder, every cannot be found in prison or out of prison small quantity of them is poisonous. than the cold-water drinking convicts who

"In

"I have known the most emaciated and work at the quarry of the Maine prison."broken down frames, both in body and A similar document, in reference to New mind, to spring up and become renovated Hampshire, America, states, "the same vaafter a total abstinence from strong liquors luable experiment has been made here, as for only a few weeks. I am certain that, in Maine, concerning the effect of cutting off in general, the opinions about habitual drunkards from the use of ardent spirits, stimuli and strength-giving liquors are and with the same results. The health of quite erroneous. The stomach is the source the prisoners exceeds that of the country at of nourishment, and its digesting powers large." At Vermont: "The experiment are usually improved directly after the dis- tried in other prisons has been made in continuance of strong liquors. Nor are ours, and with the same delightful results. there any cordials or medicines which, The subjects of such treatment renew from my experience, I should consider at their youth (as it may be said) directly." all useful in the diseases of the stomach and The subjoined statement is extracted from adjacent organs, if strong liquors are em- the report of the physician of the Connecticut ployed. In a public hospital, to which I state prison, dated April 1st, 1829: have been one of the surgeons for twenty health, no prisoner is allowed any other years, it has been my practice, in all cases drink than water. Coffee, tea, milk, and of desperate operations and dangerous acci- other proper food, and drink, are furnished dents, to debar the patient instantly from to the sick and indisposed. The opinion all strong liquors, although very often the which has so long and so extensively preprevious habits of such unhappy persons vailed, that spirituous liquors could not be were most notoriously intemperate; and I suddenly abandoned with safety, has, in the am assured of the advantage of such prac- experience of this institution,been completely tice, and in general of the consequent great refuted. Of 106 convicts, committed to this benefit to their constitutions." prison since its establishment, 90 have acThe same opinions have been equally knowledged themselves to have been intemstrongly urged by other medical men. Ob- perate, or are known to have been so.jections to this plan have been offered by Some of these were veteran drinkers, and Dr. Macnish, in a comment which he makes one, in addition to spirits, had, for seventeen on some observations of Dr. Trotter. They years, used large quantities of opium. The have, however, been ably refuted by Dr. prisoners were deprived of spirits at once, Cheyne, and require no further notice, inas-without a substitute. Those individuals in much as their fallacy has been unquestionably whom the habit was long confirmed suffered

I

a temporary loss of appetite, and almost change of diet has presented remarkable overwhelming anguish for the want of the advantages to the health of individuals. accustomed stimulus, which seemed for the have heard a great number of them express time to supersede every other evil connected their astonishment at being accustomed so with their confinement. But, by attentive easily to such an abstinence, and being able watching, the use of coffee and nutritious to persevere in hard daily works without exand wholesome diet, the appetite was soon periencing the want or feeling the privation improved, and, after a while, greatly in- of that pretended vehicle of strength." "I creased; the craving for spirits gradually believe I can safely affirm, that the opinion subsided, and, after some time had elapsed, that a man cannot do without wine or spirits they acknowledged an improvement in their is a great error, and that more particularly feelings, increase of bodily strength, and the changes from the abuse to a sudden and vigour of mind. These facts are important, complete abstinence are followed by injury and it is hoped will have an influence in to health or to life, is an opinion without correcting a very general mistake that is any foundation, except in some very rare prevailing, that the peculiar diseases of occurrences.”

drunkards are liable to come on suddenly, That persons who have been accustomed if spirits be suddenly abandoned. With to excessive and continued habits of inethis erroneous impression many have re- briety may venture, without fear of dansorted to substitutes and preventives, which gerous consequences, to abandon at once only changed the stimulus without removing the use of intoxicating liquors, is demonthe habit. strated not only from the experiments made

A recent annual report of the board of on so large a scale in America, and on the managers of the Prison Discipline Society, continent, but from equally numerous exat Boston, in Massachusetts, contains the periments made in our own country. A following valuable and interesting statement: few cases only will be related among hun"There is another particular in which this dreds which are continually taking place establishment is worthy of notice. Like in similar public establishments. A greater other and similar institutions, it is a place part of the inmates of the gaol at Wilton, to which intemperance consigns its thousand previous to their committal, are in the victims. But, in other institutions, it has practice of using intoxicating drinks, and been customary, to a great extent, in former many of them to excess. On entering the years, to break them off from their had habits prison, however, they are reduced to water by degrees, and not suddenly, lest it should diet; and, with scarcely a single exception, produce delirium tremens and death. Not their health improves from this change of beso in the House of Correction at Boston: verage. In most cases, this improvement is they are broken off at once in all cases, and of a very decided character. A similar the danger which has been apprehended is practice is almost uniformly observed in the guarded against with a strong decoction of various prisons throughout the United wormwood. This is prepared in the form Kingdom.

of tea, and given freely. With perhaps one The following important and conclusive exception, there have been no fatal conse- testimony is yet more demonstrative of quences from delirium tremens since this these views. Mr. Thomas Purdon, in a practice was introduced in the House of document dated Nov. 19, 1840, says,— Correction at Boston. This is true, not- "After an experience of twenty years, withstanding the fact that many of the worst as governor of Richmond Penitentiary, durcases of drunkenness in the city are subject ing which period at least twenty thousand to this treatment, and the disease often as-persons were committed to the prison, a sumes a very threatening aspect. But the great proportion of whom were for drunstrong, warm wormwood tea, with scarcely kenness, I never knew of one solitary inan exception, affords relief." stance of an individual suffering from being

A communication to the same effect, from at once cut off from any thing stronger than M. C. Aubanel, director of the penitentiary milk. The contrary is the fact, that they of Geneva, dated 25th of November, 1837, invariably improve in health from being deto Dr. Fauconnet, of London, has been re-barred the use of any intoxicating liquor." cently published. The writer states as fol- The same statements, also, may be made lows: "During twelve complete years that in regard to the lunatic asylums of this I have been at the head of an establishment, country. The following brief quotation in which all the prisoners only receive wine is made from the report of the Lincoln in the very rare exceptions which I have Lunatic Asylum, for 1837, an institution just mentioned, I have constantly remarked, which has been pronounced by an eminent without any exception, that the privation writer to be "one of the best conducted of wine has occasioned no inconvenience to establishments in Europe." "A decidedly those who drank it with more or less mo- improved state of health," says the report, deration; and, that, in all cases where this" has been found to follow the total disuse of privation had been preceded by an improper fermented liquor, and the more generous consumption of wine or liquors, (without

speaking of confirmed drunkards,) the * Bristol Temperance Herald, 1839.

diet which has been substituted." The fortunate inebriate to ruin, who might have patients, at this period, amounted to one been reclaimed by a different treatment.hundred and fifteen. Nay, if such corrections are applied when V. Curative means, moral and physical, the mind is ruffled with nervous and hyponecessary to be employed in the restoration to chondriacal feelings, and depressed with low health of reformed inebriates.—In the treat-spirits, which so frequently follows a last ment of persons who abandon altogether the night's debauch, the consequences may be use of inebriating liquors, several important fatal; and it is well known that suicide has considerations must be kept in view. Those sometimes been first resolved upon, after subsidiary remedial measures, which tend to these ghostly admonitions.* restore the natural state of the functions of Drunkenness is also a disease of the exhausted nature, may be considered as they body. Judicious means, must, therefore, be relate either to the mind or body. adopted to restore the functions of the sysWith regard to the mental state of the tem to their usual natural and healthy sufferer, such attentions are requisite as will tone. A brief consideration of the main tend most effectually to elevate the patient's points requisite for this purpose is absomind from that temporary anxiety and de- lutely necessary in treatises of a practical pression which usually follows the abandon- description.

ment of old and deep-rooted habits. Cheer- The medicinal treatment of reformed ineful society, rational conversation, scenes of briates ought to be as simple as consistent an attractive character, and, in particular, with the health of the patient. Derangepure fresh air, which has been correctly ments of the stomach and bowels, and their termed "the best cordial," tend in a con- consequent train of unpleasant and often siderable degree to promote this object. It harassing symptoms, are those which most is of the utmost importance that these, and commonly demand attention. Small proall similar legitimate measures, should be portions of prepared chalk, (creta preparata,) adopted, safely to carry the inebriate through or magnesia, mixed with a still smaller this critical stage of reformation. Many unfortunate individuals, for lack of necessary attention, irrecoverably fall again into their former melancholy condition.

quantity of rhubarb and powdered ginger, usually relieve those acid eructations and painful distensions of which frequent complaint is made. In cases where the stomach It must not, then, be forgotten that the exhibits unequivocal signs of weakness, the habit of drunkenness is a disease of the mind. following simple tonics, as directed by the The most vigorous efforts must be directed London Pharmacopoeia, or similar innocent to destroy, in particular, all associations cal-preparations, may be administered:— culated to revive the recollections of former Compound infusion of gentian: Take of habits. "Some men," as Dr. Rush remarks, gentian root, sliced, orange-peel, dried, of "drink only in the morning, others at each a drachm; fresh lemon-peel two noon, and some at night. Others drink only drachms; boiling water, twelve fluid ounces. on special occasions, such as on market-day, Macerate, or, in other words, let it stand at clubs, and certain convivial circles." for an hour in a lightly-covered vessel, and These associations or impressions, which by strain. habit become incorporated with our nature, Infusion of chamomile: Take of chamomust be counteracted as far as possible by mile flowers two drachms; boiling water some new and attractive engagements.— half a pint. Macerate for ten minutes in a Few persons, unaccustomed to the snares of lightly-covered vessel, and strain. Three drink and its thousand usages, can realize table spoonfuls of either of these infusions the tenacity with which old habits cling to may be taken twice or thrice every day. the reformed drunkard, and the strong phy- It will not be necessary to continue the sical cravings which often impel him to seek use of these medicines longer than a week; relief in the cup of intoxication. The man or, at the utmost, fourteen days. Tonics, who was unable to pass an inn on the road-as shown in previous sections of this work, side without entering its portals, and indul-after a time not only lose their good effects, ging in a glass, but who, on one occasion, but become injurious.

by an unusual exertion of mind, succeeded It is an oft-quoted, but correct adage, in passing the spot, and straightway returned" He that physic to a custom brings, brings to reward himself with a bumper, presents his disease too to accustoming." an amusing but instructive illustration. Dr. Trotter recommends the waters of Encouragements to perseverance should Bath as in considerable repute for their be held out in every possible way. Above efficacy in recruiting the worn-down conall, nothing should be said or done, in the stitutions of inebriates. The tonic effects sense of reproach, which can in any way of the iron contained in these waters seem tend to induce the candidate for reform to to exercise a beneficial influence. Dr. plunge himself in despair into the deep from Macnish recommends the use of chalybeates which he has but recently been extricated. where there is much debility. These reDr. Trotter remarks: "I firmly believe that the injudicious and ill-timed chastisement of officious friends has driven many an un

Essay on Drunkenness, p. 196.

waters.

medies, however, are only accessible to the surgeon, of Nottingham, “continue the use rich. It is probable, moreover, that the of tobacco in any form, they must not expect change of scene, and cheerful and diversified the full share of health they otherwise society, which are the agreeable concomi- would have by abstaining from intoxicating tants of a visit to some watering place, drinks, as affections of the head, chest, and produce a more beneficial influence, both stomach, with low spirits, in their train, are on the mind and body, than the mineral continued and aggravated by the use of that narcotic weed. Medical experience has Appropriate diet is of vital importance in fully proved this fact." the restoration of inebriates. It is a foolish A practice prevalent among the members but too prevalent notion among reformed of the temperance societies consists in aldrunkards that abstinence from strong drink most deluging the body with hot diluents, requires a free supply of animal and other such as tea, coffee, and other like beverages. solid food. If it were correct that the greater Large quantities of these liquors debilitate the amount of food taken into the system, the stomach, and generally injure the systhe more nutriment would be afforded, some tem. These liquors, indeed, ought to be plea might be advanced in behalf of the largely diluted with milk or cream. Strong practice under consideration. Such, how-decoctions of hot tea or coffee, not only ever, is not the case. A moderate propor- weaken the digestive functions, but act intion of food, well digested, will afford more juriously on the nerves. nutriment and more invigorate the system This subject, indeed, involves almost than double the quantity less completely every consideration, physiological or mental, concocted, and consequently less in accord- that enters into the requirements of health. It ance with the wants of the system. The lat- is erroneous to suppose that abstinence from ter practice, indeed, disorders the functions, inebriating liquors alone will, in every inand occasions symptoms which too frequently stance, restore the system to health, or preinduce the inexperienced and injudicious to vent those numerous derangements which recur to alcoholic potations for immediate inevitably follow the infringement of nature's relief. The food, therefore, of reformed ine-laws. A diet proportioned to the wants of briates must be simple and plain in quality, the system and capabilities of the stomach, and taken in moderate quantities, and at exercise exactly suited to the then strength, proper periods. The labour, in short, of the pure air, cheerful society and its associastomach must not exceed its capabilities of tions, and abstinence from all the usual proaction. "I conceive," remarks Dr. Trotter, lific sources of ill health; these requirements "the frame of an habitual drunkard to have must be strictly enforced, or it is in vain to been so much exhausted by inordinate and look for a permanent reformation of the ineunnatural stimuli, that it has long been my briate. A few days', weeks', or month's practice to commit him to the regimen of perseverance, however, in this mode of children, such as a diet of milk, and other treatment, with the occasional assistance of kinds of nourishment of the mildest quality. the most simple medicines, always of course In short, instead of withdrawing the bottle attended with entire abstinence from alcoby those slow degrees, which have been long holic stimulants, will, in by far the greater recommended by physicians, my plan of number of cases, completely restore the cure is at once to take from him every thing disordered functions of nature, and bring that is highly stimulating, to put him on with it the delightful and animated sensafood in direct opposition to his former mode tion of renewed health and strength. of living, and consign him to the lap of nature, as if his existence were to pass through a second infancy. Indeed, the reformed drunkard must be considered as a regenerated being."* Dr. Rush informs us that a diet consisting wholly of vegetables cured a physician in Maryland of drunkenness, pro

SECTION III.

bably, remarks the same physician, by lessen- INDIVIDUAL TESTIMONIES IN FAVOUR OF TOTAL ing that thirst which is always more or less excited by animal food.

The use of condiments and tinctures of every description, is, on all occasions, to be deprecated.

The same observations apply to the use of tobacco, opium, and other similar pernicious drugs. It is a practice fraught with danger, and too often induces the reformed inebriate to return to his vinous indulgence. "Ifteetotalers," remarks Mr. Higginbotham,

Essay on Drunkenness, p. 211.

ABSTINENCE.

Heretofore, in our country of England, all fo

reign wines were sold in apothecaries' shops, for the relief of the sick, weak, and aged; then physicians walked on foot, for the service of God's people: but when it once came to be sold publicly in taverns, then they rode on horseback, like princes.

-HABLEIAN MISCELLANY.

In the course of forty years' experience, I have never met with an instance of injury arising from having cut at once and entirely with the baneful habit of drinking spirituous liquors.-DB. CARRICK.

I have repeatedly seen men, who never tasted the twelfth part of the working hours of drink, perform the greatest exploits in work, both as to degree and duration.-DR. RUSH.

I. Testimonies of literary and medical men, clergymen, senators, and other eminent individuals.-II. Testimonies of agriculturists, mechanics, and other artizans engaged in arduous labour.

Yet

every day; a rate, according to which I lost, in the twenty-four years of temperate use of intoxicating liquors, two years. mine was, in general estimation, a life of unusual application and industry; and my loss was not one-third that which commonly happens from the like causes. I have never seen a person, or heard of one, THE testimonies adduced in this section who has made a reasonable trial of a course are selected from an immense mass of of entire abstinence from intoxicating similar evidence. The personal experience liquor, who denies that it is attended with of individuals in every rank and condition great advantages, or suggests any evil in life, now on record, exhibit, in the incident to it."

advocated in this work.

strongest possible light, the safety and The Hon. Judge Brewster, of Riga, Monefficacy of total abstinence. The principle roe county, New York: "I have lived for is now no longer one of doubtful character. nearly thirty years in this place-have conIt has been submitted to the test of severe verted a large quantity of wilderness into experiment. The following individual evi- a fruitful field-have employed a large numdence is submitted to the calm and un-ber of men, and have, according to the cusbiassed consideration of the candid reader, tom of the country, consumed a large amount as still further illustrative of the views of ardent spirits and observed much of the deleterious effects resulting from it to my I. Testimonies of literary and medical men. About twelve years ago, I banished men, clergymen, senators, and other eminent the article from my business and premises, individuals.-The Honourable Judge Hall, and totally refrained from it myself, and alof America: "I am now in the ninth year, though I used it (what was then thought) (and within about four months of its com- temperately, I learnt by experience, (after I pletion,) of strict total abstinence from the had left off its use,) that it had a most deleuse, either for beverage or medicine, of all terious effect on me, as well as on my men. intoxicating liquor. I have noticed my I found my men could sustain cold and experience, and contrasted it with that of heat, storm and fatigue, much better withthe twenty-four preceding years, while I out this stimulus than with it. About two temperately used these liquors. The result years ago, I commenced total abstinence of my observations isfrom all intoxicating drinks, and I am con"I. My health is much improved. I strained to believe that I have experienced never suffered much from sickness; I was a much more sensible improvement in my never dangerously ill; but I can clearly bodily and mental powers than when the reperceive, that the use of intoxicating liquor, form was but half accomplished. I am now although temperate, did impart a feverish sixty-two years old, and find, so far as I am tendency to my constitution, so that what capable of forming a judgment, that my used to end in fever of three or four days' bodily and mental powers are better than sickness, requiring active medicine, now they were twelve years ago, and that far passes off as a slight indisposition, like a the greater share of improvement has been common cold, scarcely requiring medicine, experienced since I left off the moderate use rarely confining me to the house, and then of fermented drinks. My health is next to not entirely disqualifying me from my perfect, which used to experience frequent usual employment. There is an elasticity interruptions; my mind is clear and percepin my constitution, and I have a command tive, without much fluctuation; my temperover it different from what was the case in ament, which is naturally ardent, has become the former period; so that I easily throw calm and serene; and I hope eternally to off symptoms of approaching disease that bless God that he gave me wisdom and grace used to terminate in fever; and I am con- to adopt total abstinence from all fermented vinced, that if, in 1803, I had adopted the liquors." course of entire abstinence from intoxicat- The Hon. Judge Loomis, of Montpelier, ing liquors, with the same care I otherwise Vermont: "From my youth, until over used in respect to my health, I should forty-five years of age, I was in the habit of have escaped nearly all the sickness with drinking intoxicating liquor. Through the which I have been afflicted. mercy of God, I was preserved in the class "2. I can endure without inconvenience, called 'moderate drinkers,' and supposed cold, heat, and fatigue. My power for at times, at least, that it was beneficial to continued bodily labour, and mental exer- me.

cise, is increased. I feel in a constant "Whilst in the use of it, I was frequently state of fitness for mental exertion. In troubled with headache, especially in the this respect, comparing my present and morning.

former experience, I believe, that through "For eight or ten years past, I have wholly the use of intoxicating liquors, though abstained from the use of intoxicating temperate, I sustained a loss of at least liquors; I find dispensing with the use of