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alcohol is given off from the body in combination with any 

 of the secretions, and from the respiration being accelerated, 

 and the amount of oxygen absorhed by the lungs being 

 increased by fermented and spirituous liquors. 



The first effect of alcohol upon the nervous system is to 

 excite the brain and increase the energy of its functions. 

 The spirits are raised — the imagination becomes brighter — 

 the recollection of events that had long been forgotten some- 

 times returns — and, in some individuals, a disposition to 

 muscular exertion is produced. A greater degree of excite- 

 ment, however, causes the opposite effects : the brain becomes 

 oppressed and the perception blunted. The action of 

 stimulants, as well as narcotics, seems to be exerted in a 

 peculiar manner upon the brain ; and it is not improbable 

 that its capillary structure may have some power of arresting 

 the alcoholic fluid in its passage through the vessels. That 

 the brain is more affected by spirituous liquors than any 

 other organ, is proved by the greater disorder which it suffers 

 in its functions, by the congestion of its blood vessels, and 

 by the fact of alcohol having been distilled from the brain 

 of persons who have died in a state of intoxication. In 

 fermented liquors, such as wine, the alcohol is in more 

 intimate combination with the water and other ingredients 

 than in spirituous liquors ; and hence, the former are less 

 heating, and produce a less rapid and powerful excitement 

 than the latter. Malt liquors produce a more stupifying 

 action than wine or spirits, owing to the narcotic property 

 of the hop ; they contain, also, a large quantity of mucila- 

 ginous extractive matter, which is very nutritive, and hence 

 they oftener induce plethora and apoplexy. Ardent spirits 

 are more apt than fermented liquors to cause disease of the 

 stomach, and in proportion as their stimulating effect is 

 rapid and powerful the subsequent depression is great, 

 lasting, and painful to endure. 



I cannot pass from the consideration of this subject 

 without endeavouring to make some brief reply to the 

 much- agitated question, whether alcoholic stimulants are 

 beneficial or injurious to mankind ? The arguments 

 which have been used to show that they are injurious have 

 been drawn chiefly from their abuse ; and no one hesitates 

 to admit that they show abundantly the injurious effects of 

 intemperance. In stating, however, the following reasons 

 which have led me to form the opinion that the moderate 

 use of alcoholic stimulants, at seasonable times, is beneficial, 

 I would observe, that we must, in discussing the question 

 in this form, reject every argument drawn from their abuse. 



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