During the period of gestation such unfortunates form not only the atomic physical body, but also the atomic spiritualized soul body, and every atom of the new being has, through attraction and affinity become, so to say, imbued with a tendency toward an indulgence in so termed alcoholic or other poison. We have glanced at the effect upon the physical plane and when, sooner or later, the victim must pass to the spirit side, then, alas, the laws of attraction and of affinity impel the impregnated atoms of the spiritualized soul body to gravitate to their own kind. Truly, the child of a drunken father or of an opium-eating mother is as surely poisoned as is one who swallows prussic acid, and the father or mother who indulges in alcoholics or in narcotics commits a damnable offense against their children, against humanity and against themselves, for inevitably they and their offspring enter the spirit world clothed with bodies so atomically poisoned, so out of equilibrium that they are tortured through a constant, insatiable desire for a gratification of their abnormal propensities. A desire which personally they cannot gratify and which to a degree they must outgrow before they can advance _one step_ onward and upward. This overpowering desire for the gratification of abnormal propensities leads many spirits to strive to influence unwary ones to indulge in intoxicants, in narcotics and to commit various offences against decency and against the interests of society, and I regret to say that very frequently they succeed not only to their own, but to the detriment of their victims. Yes, certainly, in time all Spirits outgrow the evil tendencies of their physical existence, but if mortals could realize that during this process, a century aye, in many instances centuries, may elapse ere the progressed spirit can endure the white light of higher realms, surely they would strive to avoid so calamitous an experience. But I must hasten. As I have intimated, when some one quality or qualities preponderates over some other quality or qualities of an organism, non equilibrium ensues, and thus persons become ill, poisoned, so to say, through partaking of certain foods or liquids. One may become ill, poisoned, through inhaling the perfume of a flower which to another may afford exquisite enjoyment. Another may become ill, poisoned through the aura of an animal whom another will unharmed fondly caress. Thus, the fact is apparent that poisons, per se, do not exist, but that under certain conditions all qualities are inimical to physical existence. Gentola--As you are aware, doctor, many persons with impunity consume alcoholics and narcotics sufficient in quantity to kill one unaccustomed to their use. How do you account for it?