_Alcohol._--A discussion of beverages would not be complete without some mention of those containing alcohol. This at once brings us face to face with the bitter controversy on this subject that has been waged so long throughout the United States, and which can only be considered here from the standpoint of the effects of alcohol on the human economy, and to draw corresponding conclusions. That alcohol, even in very small quantities, reduces the general strength and capacity for work there can be no question, and in addition we find from experiments carefully conducted on the lower animals that the liability to infection by various disease-producing germs is greatly increased by the administration of even minute amounts of the drug. A man then who is a habitual user of alcoholic drinks not only thereby diminishes his capacity to labor effectually, but at the same time renders himself more liable to disease. No more striking example of this could be brought forward than the well established fact that persons who use alcohol are exceedingly prone to consumption--so true is this, indeed, that we might almost look upon the drug as being practically the cause of this disease in most instances. Of course the bacillus of tuberculosis must be present in order for the malady to develop, but we find that the alcohol has prepared a soil for the growth of the germ which would not otherwise exist. This holds with equal force as regards other infectious diseases. Again, it is true that maladies that result from bad digestion and improper assimilation are frequently produced by the habitual use of alcoholic liquors. Gout and Bright's disease are in the vast majority of cases the indirect off-spring of habitual drinking. It should be noted--and the distinction is of importance--that the affections of a grave character most frequently produced by the alcoholic habit do not ensue as a consequence of what could be rightly called intemperate taking of the drug,--its moderate use more commonly resulting in serious disease than when it is taken in great excess.