The New York herald., 1873-12-23
DRINKING AMONG WOMEN.

A Conference OF Friends of Temperance
DIR. stephen Smith ON Drinking Usages
of Society Among Women.
A conference OF friends OF temperance was neld
yesterday, under the auspices OF the National Tenn
perance Society," in the parlor Of the Young Mems
Christian Association.
Mr.. WILLIAM +. DODGE presided, and stated that
bill had been introduced in Congress to appoint
a commission who shall investigate the subject Of
intemperance, with view to legislation.
DR.. STEPHEN SMITH, OF the Board OF HEALTH read
a paper on "The Effects OF the Drinking Usages OF
Society Among Women" This subject was creating
a great deal Of attention in London, and the first
cry OF alarm came from the fashionable circles OF
society. Drunkenness was no longer unknown,
according 10 the Saturday Reuieac, in the most
charming circles OF society. The waiting rooms of
the Tombs in this city would show to any visitor
every morning the terribly degrading influences OF
intemperance among the lower classes of
women. In the higher classes they also
found many conditions predisposng to the use
of alchoholic drinks. The frequent use OF wine in
society was particularly reprehensible with re-
gard to girls at the age OF puberty The truly
fashionable lady lived with no reference to the
Mws OF health. Many fashionable physicians were
always willing to prescribe the use OF brandy,
whiskey, champagne, &C., when 1t might well be
The habit of secret drinking among women was
also reprehensible. The beer and wine prescrip-
tions generally created the appetite In fasniona-
BILE women, and 1t was noteworthy that both
beverages were so adulterated nowadays that only
The worst results could possibly ensue. Intemper-
ance, according to statistics, made much stronger
inroads upon the health OF women than OF men,
and 1t was proven that 1t shortened the lives OF
women more than those OF the stronger sex. In
temperance among married women was likely TO
be inherited by their children. 1t rapidly de-
str0yed all purity and virtue and love OF
truth In women; 1t made them coarse in
manners and thoughts. Alchoh0l denaturalized
women and undermined their innate sense of
modesty and virtue. Courtesans ALWAYS used
intoxicating drinks. They had Admired that they
could not keep down the Infamous memories that
rose before their minds unless they drank.
The reform must begin In home circles and
young ladies must not be taught to drink wine
and other stimuants.
Mr.. POWELL moved the following resolutions,
which were adopted -
Resolved That 1t the opinion OF this Conference that
tne use OF alcohoc beverages taken even IN moucratc
quanuues s physically and morally OCCASIONS
power, entails diseased appces upon offspring and is
the primary cause OF large percentage OF pauperism
and crime.
Resolved That we earnestly appeal to all TO conscen
ti0usy abstain The OF all alcononc beverages
and from profierng them symbol OF hospitality
0thers, especially during e honuay sensoh anu ON All
Resoycd That II is the duty Of the government State
and national 10 seek connDe the traffic in Alcoholic
liquors legitimate purposes Of medical and other
sciences, art and mechanism
The meeting then adjourned