A CAREFUL FATHER?
(To the Editor). Sir,—l wonder whether your correspondent of this murning, signed "A Reader," comes under the above title. I am sure he or she is not a careful mother, who has to see baby writhing with pain and hear him yell for unnumbered hours when father is away and well out of it all, and just for the sake of a medicinal dose of a spirituous liquor. "A Reader" asks, "What doctor of to-day would prescribe brandy for an infant?" etc. I would ask in reply, "What doctor of to-day would prescribe epsom salts?" Doctors are wise and mysterious persons, and I hope "A Reader" will see the point. Your correspondent falls triumphantly back on Professor Attwood, and yet credits that authority with saying that the "nett result is damage, not advantage." The '"ne f ,t" result! Thsre is then, some good in alcohol in the "gross," and perhaps that good 'lies in the medicinal use of it, and possibly in the very mild dose prescribed for baby which "A Reader" so objects to. Does "A Reader" write feelingly when he or she quotes so solemnly Dr. Truby King's words—"Minute quantities dwarf and stunt the growth of brain cells?" The statistical matter quoted by your correspondent are, as is not unusaal, quite useless. It shows that of 81 children treated with alcohol half died. What of, I wonder? An insufficient dose or some dread disease? No one but an insane person would administer an overdose. My chief point is that I have reared without loss several bouncing children of both sexes. They seem to be of quite normal intelligence, and quite abnormally healthy in physique. Yet up to the time they were about six or eight months old, I never hesitated to administer a dose of diluted brandy twice the newspaper strength when all other ordinary nostrums failed. Arguments against the use of alcohol as a medicine are about as absurd and suggestive of fanaticism as arguments against the legitimate use of opium, one of humanities greatest friends, and yet a deeply developed curse to at least one nation. Let us be quite rational even though myelf and "A Reader" (I presume) struck out the top line. It is a pity such a valuable addition to scientific literature as "A. Reader's" letter is modestly hidden behind anonymity. Without fear of the consequences I inscribe myself, MATER FAMILIAS. Masterton, July 2nd.
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Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9533, 3 July 1909, Page 6
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404A CAREFUL FATHER? Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9533, 3 July 1909, Page 6
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