PROCEEDII^GS OF THE POLYTECHNIC ASSOCIATICN. 627 



effect of alcohol on the brain was seen in the diminution of its 

 size, and in some cases the filling of the enlarged cavities with 

 that fluid. 



Mr. R. L. Pell. — Man's wants are progressive. The history of 

 intoxicating liquors is full of melancholy interest, as much so as 

 the narcotics in general use. For the necessities of man God has 

 thus provided. With the English and American nations, beef 

 and bread are the staples. And in all countries, no matter what 

 the staple commodity may be, they contain the same quantity of 

 gluten, starch and fat, and in precisely the same proportions. 

 Therefore man cannot help but adjust to his requirements such 

 food as will supply the chemical wants of his body, which is pre- 

 cisely the same among all people. 



When man desires to free himself from unpleasant reijections, 

 he makes use of fermented liquors, whether he be civilized or 

 savage. All men have discovered that intoxication will secure 

 for them present happiness, and future misery. Some use the 

 sap of the palm tree, aloes, sugar cane, and honey ; others, the 

 liquor obtained from the pear, apple, grape ; the malt from grain, 

 and the milk of the mare — all of which produce alcohol, and con- 

 sequently all have the same effect. After a time man tires of 

 these, and calls to his use the aid of narcotics, which multiply 

 his enjoyments. 



The inhabitants of South America were probably the first to 

 roll up the leaf of the tobacco plant, and enjoy the reveries of 

 smoke, ages before Columbus first saw the light. The Indian 

 natives were the first to chew the leaves of the cocoa ; the Asia- 

 tics hemp, opium and betel-nut ; the South Sea Islanders the 

 pepper ; the inhabitants of the Andes thorn-apples ; the northern 

 Europeans the hop. As from different plants intoxicating drinks 

 were obtained, so from different plants narcotic substances have 

 been extracted. The first produces precisely the same effect 

 upon all mankind. But each individual narcotic produces an 

 effect peculiar to itself, whether it be the opium, tobacco, hemp, 

 cocoa or hop, and they all hold an important position in the 

 chemico-physiology of life. 



Tobacco is used among the greatest number of people on the 

 earth ; then comes opium, followed by hemp. In 1492, Columbus 

 found tobacco generally used in Cuba, and when Cortez entered 

 Mexico, he was regaled by the cigar. In 1560, Nicot carried it 

 to France ; in 1586, Sir Francis Drake introduced it into Eng- 



