, 1879-01-26
LIQU0R-DRINKING.
Results OF English Scientific Investigation-
Alcohol Particularly Injurious to the
YounE-The Old Should Only Drink ut
Meals and in Great Moderation.

| Results OF English Scientific Investfcation.,
Alcohol Particularly Injurious to t1e
| TounE-The Old Should Only Drink a,
| Meals and in Great Moderation.
/ Landau Spectator, Jan. 4.
| The discussion on alcohol, started by the man
| ayers Of the London Contemporary Reyi<u, has
been tedious to read when published in snippcts
| through three consecutive months; but, wien
| read us whole, the papers are not lengthy, and
! they contain some valuable information. The
leading idea has not been to consider the qucs-
ton Of alcohol as whole, but to obtain the
opinions Of experts on the subject Of drinking,
as ordinarily practised by average Englishmen,
and especially its effect on health. Great ex-
perts, like Sir James Paget, Sir William Gull,
DR.. Radcliffe, DR.. Garrod, DR.. Risdon-B Bennett,
and six or seven others, have been induced to
record their opinions; and the result, when the
papers are carefully studied, is a kind of con-
census very valuable to the unnstructed pub
]ic- The great body Of professional opinion
here recorded is distinctly on the side Of the
value OF alcohol as medicine, and as luxury,
or even food, when taken in very strict modcr-
alton. Even Sir William Gull, who is apparent
" doubtful of the use of wnie or beer for auy
but the old-holding that good food, particu-
latly If taken in the form of Liebig's extract,
will supply all needful support-thtnks that the
friends OF total abstinence go too far, and docs
not believe that in recommending abstinence
'syou start with the idea that there is no use
in alcohol and no good in wine;" while Sir
James Paget puts, with great force and clear
ness, TIE argument from experience, which
shows that as between the drinking and the ab-
staining races there is, *'as to working power,
both bodily and mental, no question that the
advantage is On the side OF those who use alco-
holic drinks" He might hare added, moral
Turks, ,Afshans, and other teetotal races
to crime than Asatic races, like tbe
burmese, Jews, and Armeniaus, all OF which in-
oulee IN alcohol. :" We find similar result in
comparison OF the races Of Europe, among
"hom different proportions OF alcoholic drinks
are habitually consumed. Comparing North
and South, We certainly compare those who
drink more with those who drink less; and the
cially when re compare them in respect Of gen
eral activity and 1orce OF mind and body. in |
readiness and fitness for work, IN enterprise, in
ycntfon, production. and all the signs of the I
best mental activity and strength" Dr.. Garrod |
sums up bis opinion in the sentence, that ssthe |
majority of adults can take moderate quantity |
OF alcohol, not only with impunity, but often
with advantage; DR.. j. Risdon. Bennett says, !
81 the majority Of those who have to 20 through !
the labors Of Parliamentary session, or any |
similar continuous mental strain, will, am /
convinced, admit that they do their work |
better and with more comfort to themselves if |
theY take three or four glasses Of sherry or
claret as part Of their daily food;" Dr.. R.
Brudeucll Carter goes the length OF asserting.
NTH evidence from his own experience, that
s. there are some to whom alcohol is necessity,
Il they are to exert the full measure of their /
powers;'' while DR.. Radcliffe positively de-
aounces the total abstaine1s, and though refus-
ng to recommend spirits even when well t1i-
al ~ fhe yr0rn1 nf the moral danpnr nf |