GENERAL CONCLUSIONS. 937 



tend to prove, that the nitrogenized portions 

 alone of vegetable food are insufficient to ac- 

 count for the renovation of their composition, and 

 the supply of waste. 



9. That a suitable variety of vegetable ali- 

 ments is better adapted to the organization, 

 health, strength, intelligence, and moral excel- 

 lence of the human race, than a diet of animal 

 food alone. 



10. That although spirits, wine, and malt 

 liquors,* when taken in moderation, elevate the 

 temperature of the body, augment the circula- 

 tion, produce a temporary flow of spirits, remove 

 the sensation of hunger, fatigue, and other disa- 

 greeable feelings, they impair the vital proper- 

 ties of the blood, and diminish its coagulating 

 power, when used to excess, derange the nutri- 

 tive process, cause a dropsical or phlegmatic 

 condition of the solids, and gradually destroy 

 the vis medicatrix naturce, as shown by the slow- 

 ness with which wounds and ulcers heal in 

 intemperate drinkers. 



* It is important that every one should know there is about 

 three times more solid and nutritive matter in a pint of milk than 

 in the same measure of porter, and 20 times more in a pound of 

 good bread. Yet 35 million bushels of barley are wasted annu- 

 ally in England in making malt liquors, (which vitiate the breath 

 and gradually destroy health,) or enough to nourish 3| millions 

 of human beings. Nor is there a more palpable error than the 

 general opinion that malt liquors are essential to support the 

 strength of a labouring man. But it is in vain to reason with 

 men whose appetites and reasoning faculties have been perverted 

 by artificial customs. 



