Scientific teetotalism : appendices to the illustrated history of alcohol : exhibiting a view of the accordance of teetotalism with recent discoveries in organic chemistry, and explaining the modus operandi of alcohol : firstly, on the function of respiration, and, secondly, in the formation of fat.

  • Sewall, Thomas.
Date:
[©1843?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Scientific teetotalism : appendices to the illustrated history of alcohol : exhibiting a view of the accordance of teetotalism with recent discoveries in organic chemistry, and explaining the modus operandi of alcohol : firstly, on the function of respiration, and, secondly, in the formation of fat. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    mjt Illwrtrate* &i$taxn of ^UoDoU Extracts from the Medical Discussion held between Dr. Frederic R. Lees, and W. Jeaffreson, Esq., M.R.C.S., showing the harmony between Teetotalism and the theories of Professor Liebig, and the organic chemists. The Discussion originated in a conversation between Mr. Win. Jeaffreson, Surgeon, and Mr. Samuel Fruer, Architect. Mr. Jeaffreson observed, that Teetotalism had assumed such a daring, that he, as a medical man, could not put up with it, without rebuke; and presented his respects to R. D. Alexander, Esq., of Ipswich, as President of the Suffolk Temperance Society, saying, that he would feel most happy, the first fitting opportunity, publicly to meet any of the Temperance Agents or others, to discuss the Temperance Ques- tion ; or, rather, to inquire whether the Temperance Lecturers are sufficiently acquainted with the medical or physiological effects of alcohol upon the human system, or know anything of the laws, or basis, upon which nutrition is carried on. If teetotalers could remove the moral evil of drunkenness, they did well, but the physiological department they cannot know anything about—that >must be left entirely to the medical profession to decide! The challenge was readily accepted by Mr. Fruer; and Dr. Frederic R. Lees, was invited to take up the gauntlet thus thrown down. This gentleman having accepted the invitation, preparations were made for the discussion; which excited great interest in the town and neighborhood. The Town Hall was taken for the purpose, by the Teetotalers, and bills were issued, announcing that on Wednesday, the 29th March, 1843, Dr. Lees would open the discussion by a Physiological Lecture, explaining the physical effects of alcohol upon the human system, illustrated by large drawings of the stomach, in health and under alcoholic disease; to which lecture Wm. Jeaffreson, Esq., Surgeon, of Framlingham, has proposed to reply. ■ The audience consisted of about 700 persons, admitted by tickets. About seven o'clock p. m., the chairman called upon Dr. Lees to open the business of the ' meeting, who occupied nearly two hours in adducing tho evidence of experience, ■ of authority, of facts, and of direct experiment, in proof of tho position that alcoholic beverages are injurious to the human frame. Mr. Jeaffreson then addressed tho meeting for upwards of an hour, during which he was listened to with great attention by tho teetotalers, though three- fourths of his speech had no bearing whatever upon tho physiological effects of alcohol. . B 1. I had been called in, professionally, to a young person in the town, and had prescribed alcoholic liquor, which the mother refused to givo. This cir- cumstance had given rise to those statements which had issued in tho present Orrgin of tho discussion. Objections of the opponent. meeting A