674 
INTRODUCTORY ADDRESS. 
utmost of my power. Alas ! how many have made ship- 
wreck on these quicksands. Their bark was fairly launched ; 
all seemed to be favorable ; hope sat smiling at the prow, 
and expectation filled the sails ; when a few clouds of disap- 
pointment appeared in the distant horizon ; the storm of 
temptation arose ; instead of resisting, compliance was 
given ; all power was at once lost at the helm ; the vessel 
soon became the sport of the winds and the waves, and at 
last sank engulphed in the mighty waters ! It may, perhaps, 
be as well for me to premise that I am not a total abstinence 
man. I think teetotalism, as it is called, a mistake, and a 
proof of moral weakness. “ Use, not abuse,” I would make 
my motto. But if so be I could not use without abusing; 
if I found my reason taken prisoner, and its controlling 
power lessened, then would I take the pledge. A glass of 
wine or of ale may not prove injurious when occasionally 
partaken of ; indeed, I can see a reason why the one or the 
other will prove of service to the veterinary surgeon. In 
his avocation, he is often long exposed to the influence of 
the atmosphere, having frequently many miles to ride when 
visiting his patients. Now we know that the oxygen of the 
air is constantly acting on the organism, and unless there be 
materials for it to burn up, it will destroy the tissues of the 
body and produce exhaustion. A glass of ale or wine par- 
taken of prevents this, as the oxygen attacks it rather than 
the animal tissues, and thus the individual is enabled both 
to endure the fatigue of a long journey and to go without food 
a longer time than otherwise he would be. 
But let not this be an excuse for the repetition again and 
again of the glass. It is in excess that the evil lies. The 
act then becomes habitual, and in the end is sure to prove 
injurious. This is shown by the changes which alcohol un- 
dergoes in the system. Having entered the blood, it becomes 
converted into aldehyde, and then by a higher degree of 
oxidation, carried on at the expense of the animal economy 
- — and the expenditure of force is necessarily accompanied 
with loss, — we have first acetic acid formed, then formic and 
oxalic acids, and lastly carbonic acid and water, by which it 
is eliminated. During the state of intoxication, it is stated 
that aldehyde is alone present in the blood. The indulgence 
in this debasing habit soon enervates and demoralizes both 
the mind and body. The excitement produced is quickly 
followed by languor and depression ; this calls for the re- 
newal of the stimulant, which being conceded the system 
after a short time becomes inured to its action, and a larger 
quantity is required to bring about the desired exhilarating 
effect than at first. 
