In every truly reformed man, the temperance cause gains a new and valuable recruit.  The great army that is to do successful battle with the destroying enemy that is abroad in the land, will come chiefly from the ranks of those who have felt the crush of his iron heel.  So we gain strength with every prisoner that is rescued from the enemy; for every such rescued man will hate this enemy with an undying hatred, and so long as he maintains his integrity, stand fronting him in the field.

Dr. Harris, the attending physician of the “Franklin Reformatory Home,” whose long experience and careful observation enable him to speak intelligently as to the causes which lead to relapses among reformed men, has kindly furnished us with the following suggestions as to the dangers that beset their way.  The doctor has done a good service in this.  To be forewarned is to be forearmed.  We are also indebted to him for the chapter on “Tobacco as an Incitant to the Use of Alcoholic Stimulant,” which immediately follows this one, and which was especially prepared by him for the present volume.

DANGERS THAT BESET THE REFORMED INEBRIATE.

BY DR. R.P.  HARRIS.

"Come, take a drink."—­How pernicious is this treating generosity of the inebriate, and how important to the reformed to be firm in declining his invitation.  To hesitate, is, in most cases, to yield.

Old companions.—­These should be avoided, and made to understand that their company is not congenial; and new and safe ones should be selected.

Attacks of sickness.—­A quondam inebriate should never employ a physician who drinks, and should always tell his medical attendant that he cannot take any medicine containing alcohol.  It is very unsafe to resort to essence of ginger, paregoric, spirits of lavender or burnt brandy, and friends very injudiciously, sometimes, recommend remedies that are dangerous in the extreme.  We saw one man driven into insanity by his employer recommending him a preparation of rhubarb, in Jamaica spirits, which he took with many misgivings, because, six years before he had been a drunkard.  The old appetite was revived in full force at once.  Diarrhoea can be much better treated without tinctures and essences than with them, as proved by the large experience of the Franklin Home, where they are never prescribed.

Bad company of either sex.—­Remember what is said of the strange woman in Proverbs v., 3-12; and the advice given in the first Psalm.  Lust has driven to drunkenness and death many a promising case of reform.

Entering a tavern.—­It is never safe to buy a cigar, take a glass of lemonade, eat a plate of oysters or even drink water at a bar where liquors are sold.  The temptation, and revival of old associations, are too much for weak human nature to withstand.