One fact resultant on chronic drinking stands out so noticeably that none can call it in question. It is that of the unwavering growth of appetite. There are exceptions, as in the spirit of almost every rule; but the all but invariable result of the habit we have mentioned, is, as we have said, an unwavering growth of appetite for to take in the stimulant. Any one who has made him/herself acquainted with the various functional and organic derangements that invariably follow the continued intake of this substance into the body will, hardly question that the alcohol itself in consequence of certain unhealthy changes in the physical state produces this.

But it is to the fact itself, not the cause that we now wish to direct your attention. The man or women, who is gratified at first with a single glass of wine at dinner, finds, after awhile, that desire might want a little more; and, in time, a second glass is conceded. At this point an increase of desire may be very slow, but it can go on surely until, it might in the end, a whole bottle will hardly suffice. It doesn't matter what form of alcoholic beverage, this still can happen.

Now, there are men and women so constituted that they are able, for a long string of years, or even for a entire lifetime, to hold this appetite within a determined limit of intake. To say "So far, and no farther." These men and women with this type of drinking habits, still have a long time contact with alcoholic poison. Even if they believe they have their drinking habit under control the physical ailments brought on by their habit will still be detrimental to the body and shorten their life span. They do not become deserted drunkards; just go to the grave earlier than they should.

But no man or women who begins the use of alcohol in any form can tell what, in the end, is going to be its consequence on his or her body or mind. The topic of alcoholism, with the rational and moral causes leading thereto, has attracted a great deal of serious attention. Physicians, superintendents of inebriate and mental asylums, prison-keepers, legislators and philanthropists have been observing and studying its many sad and terrible phases, and descriptive results and opinions.

While differences are held on some points, as, for instance, whether alcoholism is a disease for which, after it has been set in, the person ceases to be answerable, and should be subject to constraint and treatment, as for lunacy or fever; a crime to be punished; or a sin to be repented of and healed by the Physician of souls, all agree that there is an inborn or obtained mental and nervous state with many, which renders any use of alcohol considerably dangerous.

Dr. D.G. Dodge, late Superintendent of the New York State Inebriate Asylum, speaking of the causes leading to recklessness, after stating his belief that it is a transmittable disease, like "scrofula, gout or consumption," says:

"There are men who have an organization, which may be termed an alcoholic aberration; with them the latent desire for stimulants, if indulged, soon leads to habits of recklessness, and ultimately to a unhealthy appetite, which has all the characteristics of a diseased condition of the system, which the patient, unassisted, is powerless to relieve since the weakness of the will that led to the disease obstructs its removal."

It is not hard to find in the class of men and women, those who have had healthy parents, well educated and have had healthy social influences, moral and social, but whose character and physical constitution are such, that, when they once indulge in the use of alcohol, which they find pleasing, they continue to typically indulge until they no longer are social drinkers but exorbitant drinkers. An unrestrained appetite is established, that leads them on slowly, but surely, to destruction.

It is important that one watches his or her appetite for drinking; in many cases it can be fatal. With this information I hope you can see where you stand and take action to insure that you have a long and happy life on this earth.