Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why: What Medical Writers SayAllen, Martha Meir
Science
Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why: What Medical Writers Say
Allen, Martha Meir
Alcohol -- Physiological effect; Temperance
"Dr. Isaac Fellows was for many years a prominent physician in
Los Angeles. A temperance man, he was persuaded by an old
physician whom he loved to try for a year substituting alcohol
in drop doses in water for such patients as demanded alcoholic
stimulants. He was delighted with the result. When his patients
found they could not have wine, beer or brandy under the guise
of medicine, but must take it in drop doses in water, as they
did their other medicines, they speedily learned to do without
'a stimulant.'"--_Pacific Ensign._
ADVERTISED "CURES" FOR DRUNKENNESS.
"_Poudre Coza_, an English product, is sold at $3.00 for thirty
powders. On analysis these powders were found to contain an
impure form of sodium bicarbonate, together with a little
aromatic vegetable matter. Gloria Tonic was examined by the
Massachusetts Board of Health, and found to consist of sugar of
milk and cornstarch, with a small quantity of ground leaves
resembling those of senna. White Ribbon Remedy was found to be
made of milk sugar and ammonium chloride. Of course such things
are clearly frauds, as they can have no power to destroy a
craving for liquor. The Infallible Drink Cure was 98 per cent.
sugar and 2 per cent. common table salt. Another 'cure' was made
of chlorate of potash and sugar. Cases of poisoning by chlorate
of potash are on record. Another 'cure' contained tartar emetic,
a dangerous poison. Most of the liquid 'cures' for drunkenness
sold prior to the passage of the National Pure Food Law
contained large quantities of cheap alcohol. It is safe to say
that practically all of the secret cures for drunkenness are
fraudulent, and some are dangerous.
"If a man wants to quit drinking, he can be helped by a proper
diet, and by frequent use of the Turkish bath, or even of the
ordinary hot bath at home, with a quick cold sponge or shower
bath each morning as a tonic. The hot bath is to draw out
impurities from the system. The diet should consist of plenty of
fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables. It is better to eat no meat.
It has been fully demonstrated in Lady Henry Somerset's work
with women drunkards that a vegetarian diet is a great help in
allaying the alcohol crave. The Salvation Army, in England, have
also found by experience that a meat-free diet is a great aid in
overcoming the drink habit.
"Dr. T. D. Crothers, who has for years conducted a large
sanitarium for the cure of inebriety, at Hartford, Connecticut,
says that a valuable remedy to break up the impulsive craze for
spirits is a strong infusion of quassia given in two-ounce
doses every hour. As desire for liquor abates the quassia can be
given less frequently, until it is no longer needed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account