The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-11-13
The Effects Of Strong Drink.

The Effects Of Strong Drink.
About fifteen years ago Mr.. F. G. P.
Nelson, distinguished actuary OF LON
don, investigated tho rate Of mortality
prevalent among persons addicted to the
immoderate use OF intoxicating drinks.
He confined his attention solely to we'll
marked cases OF intemperance, and in
serted in the circular which he distribu'
ted to trustworthy persons directions to
enter no case in the schedule "unless
The person alluded to was decidedly
addicted to drinking habits during n
considerable period OF life" The facts
collected by him were carefully analyzed
and tabulated, and the mortality ex-
hibited was compared with that Of the
general population Of England and Wales.
Out OF the six thousand one hundred
and eleven such persons under ohserv9-
ton, three hundred aud fiity-seven died,
whereas il the general rate Of mortality
had been observed the deaths would have
been but ore hundred and ten.
Throughout the whole range OF the
table" the author observes, "the rate
OF mortality is frightfully high, and I'M
eQunlled by the results Of any other series
of observations made on any class OF
the population Of this country. If there
be anything, he goes on to say, Gin
the usages OF society calculated TO de-
stroy life, the most powerful is certainly
the iuordinate use of strong drink.
The schedule sent out by Mr. Nelson
required also an enumeration Of the
peculiar features OF the inempennce in
respect to the favorite beverage; and
the following curious and significant
facts were observed Us to the influence
Of the different kinds Of drink on the
average duntion Of life. Such duration,
after the commencement OF the intem'
perate habits was found to be-
Among beer drinkers, 2l.7 years
Among spirit drinkers. lG7 year.
Among those who drink both spirits
and beer unfortunately" ...... l6,l year.
and The rate Of mortality
Among beer drinkers 4.597 per cent. yearly
Among spirit drinkers, d. 1896 per cent. yearly
Among mixed drinkers G.l9i per cent. yearly
It is well to remark here that the sin
temperate habit" is usually acquired al
comparatively early period, say at age
1880, for which age the average expec'
tation of life in the general community
is nearly double that given above for the
intempento drinkers Of the least hurtfu
beverage. The different effects produced
upon several enumerated classes OF per
sons he found to he very singular. The
average duration OF life after the com
mencement Of Incorporate habits was
Among mechanics, working and labor
Ing men. ................. ....:"... lsycar'
Among trades, dealers and merchants " year,
Am mnn Pi''Uss'o"D' NV" a"u IL wear,
Among females. ...............'..... ii gear
In n subsequent nort of his work the
author Investigates tho relative mortality
in thc scycs from immoderate drinking
From tbe tohle which he gives Il M,
ncors that tbe mortality of the female
sex Is on mn average, about onc.fifth oil
tbot of Tho male, Carving from % pcl
cent nj noe 81 40 to 10 per cent nj age
71.so q Rut the most curious circuin.
stances d;scln,ed by tho fgnres f" bc
soys {" IL lilo rcmortobIe similarity he.
tween tho nronortion Of crime IN The
scyca IN tld nronortion of dcotbs from
oss;gred causes nj ;ntsmneronce, M
Referring to n subsequent con.ribution
sbowing tbo inGuonco of age on tbe
develnpment of crime II will bo found
tLnt tLo tendency to crime in tho male
sex Is nearly five times ms preat MS in the
male sey mr. moro strictly. in the relation
of 33G IN bsI while the rntio Of deaths
IN tho nonnlotion from ASSIGNED intem.
nornte causes nj are d, md inward, /.
IN tbe eynct relation Of Z. OIL 10 as, 100
n most remarkable agreement the differ.
ence being under IS por cent. : 7,SlI
substituted for SOL would give Inc