Permanent temperance documents of the American Temperance Society. Vol. I.

Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Permanent temperance documents of the American Temperance Society. Vol. I. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh. The original may be consulted at the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.

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    521] While in the use of it, I was frequently troubled with head- ache, especially in the morning. For eight or ten years past, I have wholly abstained from the use of intoxicating liquors ; I find dispensing with the use of them has been decidedly beneficial; and that 1 was entirely wrong in supposing they did me any good. The benefits most perceptible to myself, are, almost entire re- lief from'head-ache ; better rest; more refreshing sleep; greater peace and tranquility of mind ; more distinctness and satisfaction in reflection and meditation. In addition, I have a consciousness of having seen, and abandoned, a very dangerous and sinful practice.” 6. From the Rev. Henry White, pastor of Allen street Church, New York. “ In answer to the inquiries of your circular, I can say that I have received much advantage every way by a perfect adher- ance to the principle of total abstinence from all intoxicating liquor. This I have done for several years past—and I have no doubt but that in my dispeptic condition, which has been of long standing, the practice is indispensable to a moderate degree of health ; to any important and protracted mental efforts ; and to almost the lowest measure of cheerfulness and uniformity of feel- ing. From the experience that I had, before rigidly adopting the principle of total abstinence, from the very rare use of wine and beer, 1 am convinced they were a bane to me. I do not remember ever having used either, without suffering somewhat in bodily health, and I cannot apply my mind profitably, after taking even a very small quantity. It is to be presumed that in a per- son of feeble digestive powers and of nervous debility, the effects of using a small quantity of intoxicating liquor are much greater and more deleterious than in a healthy constitution. But from extreme cases the tendencies of things may perhaps best be dis- covered.” 7. From Joseph Speed, M. D., of Caroline, Tompkins County, New York. ‘“I am a physician, and have been no inattentive observer of the effects of intoxicating, and other unnatural substances, on the human system, in producing disease and death. Where mal-formation does not exist, health is the natural state of man; and disease is unnatural, and brought on us, usually, by our own imprudences. The usual imprudences are improper food and drink, and a deficiency of exercise.