CHAPTER XXIV 

 ALCOHOL 



ALCOHOL occupies a peculiar position among the con- 

 stituents of the diet of mankind. A perfectly dispassionate 

 estimate of its values and its drawbacks is arrived at with 

 difficulty. Most discussions of the subject are frankly 

 partisan and, therefore, partial. Alcohol affects the 

 human system in many ways, and it is possible to select for 

 emphasis either those aspects of its action which are detri- 

 mental or those which are favorable. In this way a writer 

 may be entirely accurate in all his affirmations and yet fail 

 to be just to a complex question because of what he leaves 

 unsaid. One cannot properly approach such an analysis 

 of the effects of alcohol without first learning the extent 

 of its use the world over. In our own environment there 

 is a feeling of hostility toward the intoxicant which would 

 excite wonder in many countries enjoying an advanced 

 civilization. Intemperance is deplored by thoughtful 

 people everywhere, but the demand for total abstinence 

 is sectional, though probably extending steadily. 



The older literature abounds in the praise of wine. The 

 Bible itself has many appreciative references to its potency 

 as a comforter. It has also eloquent passages which con- 

 demn its abuse and records of abstinence on the part of 

 certain sects or guilds among the Hebrews. No better 

 physiologic distinction has ever been drawn than in the 

 verse which places "wine which maketh glad the heart of 

 man" in comparison with "bread which strengthened 

 man's heart." To "make glad" is to minister to feeling, 

 to "strengthen" is to confer power which can be demon- 

 strated to an observer an objective instead of a subjective 



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