This discussion of the effect of alcohol on the human body would not be complete without calling attention to the extraordinary fact that those peoples to whom we owe our modern civilization have from time immemorial, most of all others, consumed the greatest amount of alcohol. Explain it as we may, the fact remains that the greatest achievements of the world were brought about by a society in which a very large proportion of its members were in the habit of more or less constantly taking alcoholic beverages. Naturally, the query is forced upon us whether this drug may not have played some important part in the great results achieved. Unfortunately, no one can answer one way or another, but our very ignorance should emphasize the importance of looking at the question from every side, and not jumping at conclusions before they are warranted by facts. It is true that most of our positive knowledge on this subject would condemn alcohol as being the greatest curse of the ages, but it may be that it has played a beneficent part in the affairs of mankind through devious paths impossible to trace. Unquestionably a drug, the taking of which assists us in momentarily throwing our troubles aside, must be of a certain positive value to mankind. If only it possessed these good qualities with none of its bad ones! Having considered very briefly the general effects of alcohol on the system a few remarks may be appropriately made concerning the several beverages commonly consumed in the United States for which it serves as a basis. _Whisky._--Under the term whisky will here be included all of those stronger alcoholic beverages that are the product of distillation. In addition to those commonly designated as such we may reckon brandy, gin, and rum, and at the same time those subtle combinations called mixed-drinks, for which they serve as a basis. It will, perhaps, startle the average reader when the statement is made that whisky and its near relatives just referred to, particularly when diluted by water, are by far the least harmful of all alcoholic drinks. Their bad reputation lies in the fact that on account of their large percentage of alcohol they are usually preferred by drunkards, and that when consumed in excessive amounts by those unaccustomed to their use there often follow those frightful crimes with which these particular forms of alcohol are so odiously associated. The facts are, however, that when taken in moderation they are much less prone to produce indigestion than wines or malt liquors, and where one is determined to drink, they should unquestionably receive the preference. It should not be understood that the writer is in any way advocating their use, but the facts of experience compel him to state frankly that the least harmful of all alcoholic beverages is whisky, or its near relatives.