770 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY. 



inoculate a child with the germs of the alcohol-diathesis and initiate a 

 habit which years of anguish and despair will fail to cure. By a single 

 glass of medicated brandy thousands of convalescing topers have lost 

 their hard-earned chance of recovery ; poor, struggling wretches, swim- 

 ming for their lives, and, at last approaching a saving shore, have been 

 pushed back into the surging whirlpool, and perished almost in sight 

 of the harbor ! The only chance of curing the poison-habit consists in 

 the hope of guarding its victims against all stimulants ; and I would as 

 soon snatch bread from a starving man as that last hope from a drunkard. 



Abstinence is easier, as well as safer, than temperance. "In free- 

 ing themselves from the bonds of an unworthy attachment," says Ma- 

 dame de Sevigne, " men have one great advantage they can travel." 

 If young Lochinvar's suit had been hopeless, the furtive interview with 

 his lost love might have soothed his sorrow for a moment, but for his 

 ultimate peace of mind it would have been better to stay ih the west. 

 The anchorites of old knew well why they preferred the wilderness to 

 the humblest village : they found it easier to avoid all temptations. 

 Vices, as well as virtues, are co-operative. 



In the cure of the alcohol-habit, the total renunciation of all stimu- 

 lants is, therefore, the first and most essential measure. A change of 

 diet, a change of climate, of employment, and general habits, will help to 

 shorten the distressing reaction that must jDrecede the re-establishment 

 of perfect health. The force of example may partly supply a deficiency 

 in moral principles, ambition may strengthen their influence. But the 

 effect of any secondary stimulant is more than enough to counteract 

 such tendencies. With the following precautions the total-abstinence 

 plan will prove to have the further advantage of progressive effective- 

 ness ; for, after the removal of the irritating cause has in some degree 

 allayed the morbid sensitiveness of the digestive organs, the abnormal 

 appetite will gradually disappear, like the secondary symptoms of the 

 disease, and thus lessen the influence of the subjective temptation.* 



-4~--*- 



THE AIM OF THERMO-CHEMICAL INVESTIGATIONS. 



By JULIUS TIIOMSEN.t 



THEORETICAL chemistry is based upon the molecular theory, 

 according to which all matter is made up of molecules, and these 

 molecules of atoms. The physical state of bodies depends upon the 

 arrangement and motions of the molecules ; the other physical and 

 chemical properties depend upon the kind and number of the atoms in 

 the molecule, upon their arrangement and relative motions. 



* The treatise on " The Alcohol-Habit " will be concluded in our next issue, 

 f Translated from the introduction to Thomson's " Thcrmochcmische Untersuchungen," 

 Leipeic, 1882, by W. It. Nichols. 



