Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1881-05-26
Drunkenness Among Women..

In the summer of 1878 the New Yorl
Tribune published an article. containing
many indications of "the alarming
growth of the vice, of iptemperance in
fashionable, circles. 'is.i One gentleman
whose interview was reported in the ar
ticle asserted that In fashionable sum.
mer resorts he had frequently noticed
young ladies and matrons visibly under
the influence of liquor. The habit Of
drinking was INDUCED in by ladies at
restaurants after entertainments, balls
ETC., and though it generally began in
light wines or beer. it soon indicated a
taste for something stronger Their ap-
petite increased as the moral self-control
weakened. Sometimes the appetite owed
its origin to an elixir, or to some kind OF
bitters recommended as a stimulant and
represented as necessary ito tone up"
the system. 1t is an opinion of many
physicians that women become the
slaves of liquor more easily than men,
One authority states that "if women
generally had liquor as easily within
their reach as men have, there would be
a much larger proportion of drunkards
among them" DR.. Stephen Smith, of
New York City, is-reported to have spo-
ken as follows on this subject:
Thoughtful medical men. frequently
express much apprehension at the pre-
vaIling tendency of women, and espe-
cially young women, to indulge in the
use of alcoholic liquors. The causes of
of Incorporate habits among the better
class are twofold.~ The first is social
wine-drinking customs. These exert an
an especially strong influence upon
young women. At the period of bud
ding wOmanhOod the nervous system is
peculiarly impressible, and anything
which produces 4 state of nervous exal-
tation will, if repeated, readily become
a fixed want. No one, except physi-
clan, can fully appreciate the suscepti-
bly, of young ladies at the age when
they are conventiOnally introduced to
fashionable society. There is scarcely
anything so liable to impress the ner-
vOus system at this time as mild but ex-
hilarating wines. Confirmed habits of
drunkenness may not now be formed,
but impressions are made which will
never be lost, and which too often revive
at. some later period and make sad hay-
oc Of personal character and domestic
happiness. A second exciting cause is
prescription of alcoholic stimulants by
physicians. Reference is not made to
scientific uses of alcohol in medicine, but
to the reckless habit of recommending
stimulants for all the trifling ailments
of women. The physician, wearied with
the opportunities of his patients, re-
commends wine or beer. brandy or
whisky; prescription easily made and
generously complied with"
"The effects of ,intemperance," he add
ed, upon the constitution of women are
of the most decisive character. Intem-
perance tends to shorten life more in
woman than in man. Competent au-
thOrity gives the average duration of
life of the incorporate, after the habit
is formed, as follows;
Among mechanics, working and
labOring men ........... Is years.
Among traders, dealers and mer-
chants ..--....-.. IL. years.
Among professional men and
gentlemen .......-........ Is years.
Among women. ........ 49,. IA years.
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