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Temperance in the Home

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · May 21, 1908

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 85, No. 21.

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Temperance in the Home

By AUGUSTA C. BAINBRIDGE

AUGUSTA C. BAINBRIDGE
OUR life contains a thousand springs, And dies if one be gone; Strange that a harp of many strings Should keep in tune so long.
“Mama, may we make white sugar candy to-day?”
“I think so. It’s a long time since we have had candy,—what brought it to your mind?”
“Miss Manning told us about nerves to-day, and said they were fine, glistening, silvery threads, and looked very much like white sugar candy when you pull it. I thought I’d like to make some.”
“Well, when you get your weeds all pulled, and Pearl has finished hemming her towel, you may.”
So Nathan ran to the garden, stopping on his way to whisper to Pearl, as she sat on the porch, industriously hemming the towel that must be finished before play-time.
“Yes, children, it is all ready to pull, be quick, now,” said Mrs. Neal, as Nathan and Pearl were helped generously.
“Now, Nathan, let’s see the nerves,” said Pearl.
“It is not white, yet. There! now it begins to look right. Hold the strings up to the light, and see how they shine.”
“Do you suppose our nerves are as large as these strings, mama?”
“Your spinal cord is about the size of that little string Boy has. Here, dear, pull it out long, and see these. Here are several sizes that are about right. That outside one near your thumb is about the size of your optic nerve, and these finer ones could well represent the sensory nerves.”
“Those are the nerves that carry messages to the brain, aren’t they, mama?”
“Yes, my son. Do you notice how firm they are as they cool? That is like a healthy nerve. Lay this one back in the pan, and put it on the back part of the stove. Now watch it.”
“It gets soft. Now it is all melting again,” said Pearl.
“Yes, and that well represents a weak or diseased nerve. When healthy, they are like cord; when diseased, more like ravelings.”
“What would disease a nerve?” asked Nathan.
“Many things. Principally intemperance in any form. Overwork, worry, overeating, despondency, and the use of narcotics, are other causes. The most common cause to-day is the use of intoxicants.”
“What effect do they have, mama?”
“Since alcohol is a narcotic, Pearl, what harm would it do to the sensory nerves?” asked mama.
“It would put them to sleep, and they could not report properly to the brain. You might be cold and not feel cold, or warm and not feel warm.”
“Could you have a pain, and not know it?” asked Nathan.
“Yes, indeed,” said mama.
“Then isn’t alcohol a good pain-killer?”
“Pain is the sentinel that tells us when an enemy is at work. It is the natural outcry of the body against injury. Would you think it wise to put the watchman to sleep, in order to save the city?”
“Not for a minute!” said Nathan. “He must never be found ‘sleeping on guard’ if the city would be safe.”
“That is the action of alcohol, and many whose nerves are like that half-melted string of candy, imagine they are well because they do not feel any pain.”
“Well, I would rather feel a pain, if it is there; then I could do something to cure it,” said Nathan.
“You would be in a queer fix to do anything, brother, if alcohol affects the motor nerves the same way. Does it, mama?”
“Yes, it paralyzes them also. Can you tell me how you would act if your motor nerves were under the influence of a narcotic?”
“If I were drinking liquor, my sensory nerves would be partly paralyzed, and I would not know when I had enough, and would keep on until my motor nerves refused to act, and I was helpless. I suppose this helplessness comes on gradually,” answered Pearl.
“Indeed it does, and that is one of its chief deceptions. Truly ‘Whosoever is deceived thereby is not wise.’”
“Just look at Boy! What a mess he has made of himself with that candy, mama.”
“Never mind, he has enjoyed it,” answered mama, “and there is more outside of him than inside.”
“You precious baby, I am sure your sensory nerves are carrying a very sticky message of sweetness to your brain,” said Pearl, catching the happy little fellow up in her arms.
“And I think your motor nerves had better use a basin of water and a wash-rag, or a certain little brother I know will not be ready to meet papa,” said Nathan, as he helped mama clear away the things.
San Francisco, Cal.