in all our jails have to leave off their
drink at once, and altogether, on entering there, and no harm
ever ensues in consequence. But some say that this is because
their diet is so carefully arranged, and the hygienic condition
of the prison so perfect. Quite so. This shows us clearly that
when total abstainers become ill outside the prison, their
illness is to be attributed to some error in diet or hygiene, or
to some accidental circumstance. It is absurd to think that the
infraction of one law of health can be nullified by breaking
another; that if you eat too much, or too fast, or too often, or
what is not good for you, you can escape the consequences by
injuring yourself with alcohol."

Dr. N. S. Davis was for many years openly sneered at by many of his
professional brethren as "a cold-water fanatic." Since his views are now
being rapidly adopted by progressive medical men all over the civilized
world, it may be that soon those physicians who cling to alcohol will
deserve the soubriquet of "alcohol fanatics." Dr. Davis said:--

"If I am asked why the profession continues to prescribe these
drinks, I answer; simply from the force of habit and traditional
education, coupled with a reluctance to risk the experiment of
omitting them while the general popular notions sanction their
use. Nothing is easier than self-deception in this matter. A
patient is suddenly taken with syncope, or nervous weakness,
from which abundant experience has shown that a speedy recovery
would take place by simple rest and fresh air. But in the alarm
of friends something must be done. A little wine or brandy is
given, and as it is not sufficient to positively prevent, the
patient in due time revives just as would have been the case if
neither wine nor brandy had been used.

"Of course both doctor and friends will regard the so-called
stimulant as the cause of the recovery. So, too, when patients
are getting weak, in the advanced stage of fever, or some other
self-limited disease, an abundance of nourishment is regularly
administered, in the greater part of which is mixed some kind of
alcoholic drink. The latter will always occupy the chief
attention, and if, after a severe run, the fever, or disease,
finally disappears, it will be said that the patient was
sustained or 'kept alive' for over two or three weeks, as t