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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 13

[Reply from editor]

∵The above shows what extreme opinions are held by members of the profession, and how completely the prejudice of some teetotalers overcomes their judgment. Some sinophobists seem to rival sinomaniacs in the presence of alcohol. What can be more absurd than objecting to alcohol, because, in its concentrated form, and in large quantity, it acts as a poison? Why, so does opium, belladonna, arsenic, quinine, sugar of lead, sulphuric acid, carbonate of potash, and tincture of iron; and yet what doctor would shrink from using any of these things in appropriate quantities? How many prescriptions can Mr Griffith write, in which there is not one ingredient which would act as a poison in a large quantity and a concentrated form? Scarcely one, unless he be a globulist pure and simple. Dr Inman, in none of his works, recommends alcohol as a poison: he recommends it in some diluted form, and in appropriate doses, as food and medicine; and if he finds that its effects are injurious, he withholds it as he would opium, where that is prejudicial. We are surprised that any one should be captivated by the fallacy that a small quantity of anything must be poisonous, because a large quantity produces formidable symptoms. To explode it, let us recommend Mr. Griffith to give up the use of salt in everything he takes; for unquestionably the chloride of sodium, in large doses, is poisonous, and in medium doses, produces vomiting. It is a matter of regret to see any doctor thinking more of the weight of authority than of the logic of facts. We regret

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still more to find that when quotations are used, they are not understood by him who makes them. None of the passages alluded to by Mr Griffith affect the position taken by Dr Inman. It is also a matter of regret to see a young man, as we presume that Mr Griffith is, beginning his medical career with the public declaration that he will persistently refuse to try a remedy, no matter what may be the position or experience of those who recommend it. What a pass medicine would come to, if vegetarians were to banish meat diet; teetotalers—wine, beer, and spirit; and some fanatics were to cut off opium and chloroform from the wards of our hospitals! In conclusion, we recommend Dr Griffith to "prove all things, and hold fast that which is good."—Editor of Medical Mirror.