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WITTY, WISE Al\TD OTHERWISE.
alcohol and the progressive improvement that is going on
in
the drinking habits
of the people (an improvement probably due to other causes than the total–
abstinence propaganda), but they are not carried away by a windy phil–
anthropy, and canot ignore the teachings of physiology and of practical experi–
ence. Wbat they have seen they have seen of alcohol's restor ative power in
ma ny critical conditions, and they would be deeply culpable if, in deference to
clamor, they laid aside so effective a weapon.
It
is on physiological facts that the employment of alcohol in disease is
now founclecl, a nd it is by physiological facts that its employment is opposed;
but in the latter case the facts are often misunderstood or only partially pre–
sented. Let me give an instance of this. Our total abstinence devotees tell
us that alcohol does not keep out the cold and that there can be no worse
way of protecting ourselves against low temperatures than by imbibing spirits.
That is quite true, but they ought to aclcl, which they do not, that while alcohol
does not keep out the cold it is a potent remedy for some of its most hazardous
effects. When, after exposure to cold, there is staganation of the blood that
has been driven from the chilled surface to the internal organs, a judicious dose
of alcohol will re-establish the equillbrium of the circnlation and ward off
dangers both immediate and remote.
'l'he man who drinks whiskey and water,
Although he drinks early and late,
Will live to drink whiskey longor
Than be who drinks whiskey straight.
A CHUNK OF PHILOSOPHY.
Buy and the gang is with you,
Renig and the game is off;
· ·
.l!'or the boys with the thirst will all see you cursed
If
you don't proceed to cough.
Be rich and the bunch will praise you,
Be poor and they'll pass you the ice;
You're a dead game guy when you start to buy,
But you're a bum when you haven't the price.
Be flush and your friends are many,
Go broke ·and they say "Au revoir";
When your currency burns you will get great returns,
When it's gone you will get the ha, ha.
Be gay and the bunch will cheer you,
And they'll smile while your wealth endures;
Show a tearful lamp and they'll all decamp
And it's back to the woods for yours.