DR. BAKEWELL'S LECTURE ON ALCOHOL.

Kumara Times, Issue 1526, 18 August 1881, Page 2

DR. BAKEWELL'S LECTURE ON ALCOHOL.

There was a very large audience at the Public Hall last evening to heat Dr. Bakewell's Lecture "On the Physical Effects of Alcoholic Drinks on the Human System j" and as there were to be a few musical recitals bf lady and gentlemen amateurs (members* we presume, of the Independent Order of Good Tempi ars, under whose auspices the doctor kindly gave his lecture) there was present a goodly proportion of the fair sex\

Mr E. Barrowman presided, and iii a few words introduced the lecturer. R. H. Bakewell, Esq., M.D., then, stepped forward, and, after explaining" that he had been taken unwell that day hoped that the audience would on that account excuse any shortcomings 'that might be noticed. He introduced his remarks by a reference to the great im j portauce of" the subject to all personsj and particularly to Colonists, among whom there was a terrible propensity for "shouting" and drinking, and a lick of the power of \Vill to refuse compliments of this kind.. He alluded to many errors of medical men; which had come under his own observation,! in prescribing "just a little" of the li Verfl. best brandy—the very best" to revive' and stimulate their patients, showing that it was by this means that many of the evils of intemperance were brought about ; and named the ingredients that., were used in the manufacture arid" adulteration of various spirits. He divided his lecture into three Effects of alcoholic driuks on the circulating system—that is, the lungs, heart, and bloodvessels ) 2, Their effect on .' the nervous and muscular systems; and 3, Their operation on the digestive and excretive organs, with remarks on their effects on the children of drunk-> ards. "We cannot attempt a very lengthened notice of each part, The doctor stated his experience extended over" thirty-three years as a medi* cal student and practitioner. The long continued tind habitual use of alcoholic liquors'was the cause in many cases of diseases of the heart and bloodvessels. When the reaction of drunkenness occurs, the circulation ia feeble and irregular, and the person feels seedy. Its action on the nervous ;[ • and muscular system tends to partial : ' paralysis or arrest of functions in some'' 1 , parts of the brain and spinal system; ''■*'- and increased doses produced stupidity, drowsiness, coma, apoplexy, and a geueral shakiness, with often delirium tremens (or the horrors), resultiug in ins.inity, either in the form of a. mania or lunacy. Its exercise on the digestive and excretory organs was just as hurtful as the eating of beef or any food,taken every hour of the day would be, in- \ during congestion of the liver, inflammation of the stomach, dyspepsia, vomiting, disease of the kidneys, and dropsy* The learned lecturer concluded hi 3 remarks by stating that the constant use of alcohol, except in the most, moderate doses, made people bad subjects for recovering in surgical opera- /. cions, for acute diseases, or for theV" endurance of fatigue. He considered V there was no proper cure for drunkards - except total abstinence. ' ', The lecture was listened, to with:"'" marked attention throughout; the, doctor introduced several amusing, anecdotes of persons he had come into contact with in the course of practice, and mimicked in one or two instances the conduct of the persons alluded to, adding thereby much weight to his; plausible arguments - and amusement for the audience. He sat down amidst most enthusiastic cheers from the audience. The singing of several glees at .intervals during the lecture seemed to relieve

Ihe speaker, who, as we have before stated, Was Buffering from indisposition. A vote of thanks to the lecturer, proposed by the Rev. E. A. Scott, was 'carried with acclamation. This was Acknowledged by Dr. Bakewell • who took the opportunity of thanking the lady and gentlemen amateur singers for their services j and then another recitation fijom the choir brought a very tentertaining and iustrnctive evening's lecture to a closa