TEMPERANCE ESSAY.

White Ribbon, Volume 25, Issue 291, 18 September 1919, Page 11

TEMPERANCE ESSAY.

ALCOHOL ITS USE AND ABUSE.

(k. Symonds, District High School, Hastings.)

The oiigin of intoxicating liquor dates so far back as to be unknown, but even in the Stone Age there is

some in' l; cation that men used fermented w lice, w hich, if not such a deadly poison as the more civilised form of alcohol, probably served just as well to inflame the evil passions and dull the intellects of the savages. Even nowadays the savages have their own primitive methods of making alcohol, which, however, fortunately or unfortunately, they discard in favour of the white man s liquor. Like almost everything else in the world, alcohol has its uses as well a> abuses. Its uses are chiefly for medicinal purposes, although it is also essential in scientific experiments. As a medicine, it is invaluable for stimulating* purposes, as such may be used without giving injurious aftereffects of similar drugs. In fact, doctors have proved that alcohol has been used with success, where to use any other diug would have been fatal. That, however, is when used in moderation, and administered by skilled physicians. For the ordinary person, with only a vague idea of its powers for good or evil, it is like diinking slow poison to save ore’s life.

For scientific purposes it is chiefly used for preserving specimens. In that way it is without equality. In scientific experiments also it is a great help, and has caused many new facts beneficial to mankind, to be discovered. Here, however, its uses end, unless one w ere to consider it a necessity in sacramental rites, which is a matter concerning religious people only. The irreligious, and in this aspect, at least, the greater mass of people is included, do not express, or appear to have any interest whatever in the matter.

The abuses of alcohol are varied and many, so many, tha« a new abuse seems to be discovered every day. They can he traced back, and merged into one, and that is the effect of indulgence in alcohol. Alcohol, w hen taken indiscriminately, seems, by one giant blow, to injure every part of the nody. The limbi are loit control of, the mind is dulled, and the passions are aroused, and the

person for the time being is ruined — physical!), mentally, and morally. Then when in this stage anything may be done, even bad actions, but never good ones, and the trouble is that the evil effects do not stop directly the drink clears from a person’s brain; hut, disregarding sordid details, in one vhor t hour, that ma\ be done for which a iH’isor may suffer agonies in Ixhl\ and -.pi’ii for the rest of his or her life. It would require volumes of paper to describe a tithe of the evils drink can do, but it may be summarised that drink can ruin nations as easily as it can break iust one heart.

There is no doubt that the abolition .of drink would make this country “earthly Paradise,” and that even could it be controlled and kept down to a minimum, the country would at once feel the benefit. But human nature is so frail that men shut their c' :s to the obvious facts, in that for one hour *of “pleasure” they would sell their own happiness m life, and also the happiness of the generations that follow. Have they the right? •

(W e are pleased to receive this essay, and are glad our High School pupils can write so well and clearly on this important subject. But we wish that such bright young intellects were getting more up-to-date teaching. The time has passed when alcohol was considered of use as a medicine, all recent scientific research proves that alcohol is not a stimulant, but a narcotic poi son. The Medical Association of US. A., representing thousands of physicians, have banished alcohol from their pharmacopoea, giving it as their verdict that it is not a medicine. Its chief use is for industrial purposes. In fact, scientists tell us that we need so much alcohol in our industries that we cannot afford to waste it by drinking it. We want our boys and girls taught that the moderate use of alcohol is harmful. —Editor, “White R ibbon.”)