ON THE USE OF ALCOHOL. 
37 
SOME FACTS AND OPINIONS RESPECTING THE 
USE OF ALCOHOL. 
ABSTRACT OF PAPER BY THE REV. HARRY OXLAND. 
(Read October 10th, 1878.) 
The lecturer in his introduction gave a definition of the term 
" alcohol," referring to the scientific and popular uses of the word, 
and indicated the presence and proportion of alcohol in various 
drinks. Alcohol was a natural growth, as well as an artificial 
distillation. It had a twofold action on human organism — (a) 
stimulant, (b) narcotic — and it was important that this distinction 
should he noticed. Passing to consider the antiquity of the use of 
stimulants, the lecturer noticed the drinking propensities of the 
earliest races of mankind, including the ancient Chinese, the earlier 
inhabitants of India, the ancient Hebrews, the ancient Egyptians, 
Greeks, and Romans. 
The general question was treated under three heads : I. The 
scientific aspect, or what physiology, chemistry, pathology, and the 
general experience of the medical profession teach us respecting the 
legitimate use of alcohol. II. The social aspect — (a) How far the 
facts connected with the drinking habits of the people demand 
the attention of the social reformer ; (b) What society (as distinct 
from the legislature) can do to ensure the legitimate use of alcohol. 
III. The legislative aspect — To what extent the State should inter- 
fere to enforce sobriety among the people : (a) Legislation as regards 
the sale of drink ; (b) Legislation as regards the consumer. 
