concerns the members of our profession. We refer to

THE TEMPERANCE QUESTION.

Probably there is no one subject agitating the public mind at the present day so important as that of temperance. Aside from its economical, political and moral bearings, it sustains a most vital relation to medicine. In some respects it is really a physiological question, the solution of which belongs to the experts in this science; but unfortunately there is not here a general agreement of opinion. Before this reform can be carried on very successfully, the exact relations of alcohol to health and disease must be better understood and positively settled. What is the physiological action of alcohol on the human system in health and disease? Does it increase or impart force in the process of digestion? Is alcohol in any of its forms absolutely necessary as a therapeutical agent? Is there such a love of stimulants implanted by nature among our instincts, that man cannot well resist temptation? Does health require as a common beverage, at meals, or other times, the use of a mild stimulant? These and kindred questions must be settled, not by mere authority, nor by individual opinions, but by such an accumulated amount of evidence derived from the study of physiology and pathology, that it cannot be disputed or resisted. How important that the members of the profession, who are the proper expounders of these sciences,

should become safe teachers and guides in settling these grave questions! But whatever differences of opinion may here exist, there are points of view in regard to this reform upon which there should and must be entire agreement, viz., its sanitary aspects. That intemperance is productive of a vast amount of disease, all will admit; that it is one of the most powerful causes of physical degeneracy now in operation, no one will probably question. If to alcohol we add tobacco, opium and other stimulants and narcotics, no pen can describe the terrible injuries which they inflict upon the human race.

From a hygienic point of view, of what avail are the benefits of good air, pure water, wholesome food, healthy occupations and dwellings, when the laws of the physical system are being constantly violated by the poison of alcohol and tobacco? It is not alone the present or temporary effects of these agents, but the permanent, such as are incorporated into the organization itself and become a part and parcel of it-these are the seeds of evil tendencies and diseases, which are transmitted to successive generations. It is only when we take into account the power and extent of hereditary influences that we can fully appreciate the importance, the magnitude and the grandeur of the temperance reform.

This leads us to the consideration of another problem, namely, the laws of inheritance.

THE LAWS OF INHERITANCE.

In a hygienic point of view, no agency is so powerful in the prevention of disease as hereditary influences. To the experienced physician, it requires no array of facts or arguments to prove what a wonderful difference there is in the amount of disease in individuals and families, arising from the differences in original stamina or soundness of constitution. Then in the treatment of disease, it makes a surprising difference. In sound, healthy stock we have developed in a far higher degree the, recuperative powers of nature, and generally one single disease at a time to combat; whereas, in case the original constitution is feeble, and the respective parts of the body are ill-balanced, diseases of almost every kind become far more complicated, and their treatment more difficult as well as doubtful in result.

Besides, there is a large class of diseases which may be strictly considered hereditary, as the seeds or predispositions are transmitted. If these innate predisposing causes of disease could be obviated or removed, it would undoubtedly diminish the actual amount of sickness and of early mortality. But to effect any great improvement in this direction would require a favorable operation of the laws of inheritance through several generations. There are, if we mistake not, special reasons why these laws should receive more attention at the present day; and who should take the lead

in their investigation if not the members of the medical profession? Within a few years several writers have discussed points or topics bearing directly on these laws, and others have made favorable references to them. Besides, the public at large are becoming more and more disposed to seek information and instruction on this subject. The increased attention to physiology and biology seems to prepare the way, and demand that such investigations should be more vigorously and thoroughly prosecuted. When we consider, too, that it is not the mere physical properties of the body alone that are transmitted, but the dispositions, the propensities, the mental capacity, the moral sentiments, &c., these laws assume an importance, a magnitude that can scarcely be over-estimated. In fact, the character of every individual, of every family and race depends very much upon the material or elements provided by these laws. For what can family training do, what can education accomplish, without favorable material for operation, or in other words the right developments of brain? We venture the assertion, that all permanent improvement or progress in the civilization of any people or nation is more dependent on these laws than upon any other agency whatever. If one fourth the attention or one tithe of the expense was given to the improvement of the human race in this direction, that is now expended on that of domestic animals, it would result in the most surprising changes.

It is impossible to estimate the value and im

portance of the relation which these laws sustain to other improvements. Their application affords not only the most powerful assistance to all the improvements and advantages of civilization, but serves to render them more fixed and permanent. For unless the physical organization of a people or nation is kept good, or improved from generation to generation, there are bounds or limitations to all progress. In fact the whole structure of society, the advantages of education, the improvements in science, in arts, in literature-to say nothing of the foundations and advancement of morality and religion- -are all powerfully affected by these laws. The subject is too vast, too complicated to be discussed in a brief essay, but it presents two or three phases to which I wish to call particular attention.

There are certain agencies operating at the present day, which in the course of time must produce marked effects upon the organization and character of our people. The removal of so large a proportion of the population from the country and rural life to cities and large towns; the change of employment from farm work- from out-door exercise and the more laborious mechanical pursuitsto lighter kinds of business, with increased exercise of the brain; add to this the greatly increased strife, excitement and competition in every department of business and society-all these changes must serve gradually to diminish muscular power and the general vitality of the system. No truth in vital statistics is better established than the