The herald., 1895-11-28
SCIENTIFIC TEMPERANCE IN
STRUCTION


STRUCTION
Something bright, spicy. witty or
wise.' So ran the instructions, but. alas
my subject involves only the plain bread
and butter that constitute the staff of
life'
When tie Woman's Christian Temper
ahce union had labored for several years
in attempts TO reform the drunkards and
had found that its work must be done
over again and again, the necessity for
preventive work pressed itself upon
thoughtful minds, and they turned to
consider the children.
AS in greet crisis in the life OF ma.
ton or a worthy enterprise, leader pre-
pared previously is found ready to lead
on to victory, so in this case; previous
study, chemical experiment and thought.
full preparation had impressed ths mind
of Mrs. Mary E. Hunt, with the idea that
a nation using such quantities of alco-
holic drinks as ours could never be saved
unless its children were taught the truth
in regard to alconol, in its effects upon
the human system. These evils mad just
been published to the world, las the results
OF researches and scientific experiments
by DR.. Benz. W. Richardson of England.
Fifteen years ago Mrs. Hunt was made
superintendent OF this department. and
entered upon the work for which she had
been 80 peculiarly fitted. What was it?
To secure to every child that enters the
public school thorough, systematic IN
strucrion as to the nature and effects of
alcoholic drinks ana of narcotics upon
the human system, as shown from o sci.
entlfic standpoint.
The difficulties in the way of such a
worker would have daunted one less earn
est and faithful.
Only as intrsnchsd in law could such
teaching bs made obligatory Or uniform,
hence she set herself to arouse public
sentiment, or rather to create it; to pro-
claim the teachings of science that it is
the nature OF q lutte alcohol to create an
appetite for more She must secure state
laws making such teaching mandatory
in public schools; must prepare suitable
text books and provide literature for dis
semin ating these new views. Nobly has
she wrought and marvellous are the re-
suits. In every state in this union save
three are the children being taught; also
in ali the territory under the control of
the United States government this in.
struction is now given, so that at least
b, 600, 900 school children ave learning the
truth as to the evil effects OF alcoholics
and narcotics in Whatever form they may
appear. The history OF these successful
efforts IN so many states and in congress
is like novel, Astounding in incidents,
many of them of thrill ng interest.
The main points to be taught,as proven
by scientific discovery. are these and four
or five series of text books, approved by
Mrs. Hunt give no uncertain SOUND.
First-(a) That alcohol Is u dangerous
| hof hna vu n n dor
tain alcohol, hence are dangerous and to
be avoided, ana they are the product OF
fermentation that changes foo. to
poison, (c) that it is the nature of any
liquor containing alcohol to create an
appetite for more, which may become
petite.
Second-They must teach the effect OF
these upon the whole being-msntal,
moral. physical.
Thrd-Ihs instruction must be we'll
graded to each class. Truth Is Just as
true and scientific if told to child in
simple, easy words as instil ed technical
tiles.
Fourth-There should be enough teach
ing OF physiology and hygiene to make
this temperance work effective, at least
below the high school.
In many OF the states penaltie, for
Noncompliance with the law are affixed.
While there is disposition upon the
part of teachers generally to obey the
law, at least as to the letter, yet We see
q great need of more faithful work in
this most important line. Upon the
earnest, energetic, conscientious teach
err rests now the solution Of the problem
whether or not the future men and wo-
men OF this land shall be free from the
thraIdom of alcohol and tobacco which
now hold captive SO many of our fairest
and hest. No school can ever rise
above its teachers.
Mrs. Hunts latest effort has been the
publication of monthly School Phys.
biological Journal giving facts, expert
ments, tests and incidents; also methods
adapted to the different grades, and
model lessons. The material is gathered
by her and her assistants from medical
journals. scientific treatises and other of
ties of our own AMI of other lands. 1t
is new. fresh, accurate and reliable as
any science can be. The latest theories
as to ferments. moulds and their results,
with lists OF authors, are given. sub
scribe for it ard read for yourself.
Not only in this countrv but in France
this subject has attracted much att ntion,
as we'll as in England. An extract from
the British Medical Journal says: 1.-The
struggle against alcoholism. If not
throughout France, is, in the capital,
Paris, certainly the question OF the day.
GOOD citizens are oalieu upon TO en-
ter On campaign against that scourge
that dishonors and ruins.
AS American citizens who boast of our
country, shall I'VE not enter upon u
campaign against that which dishonors
u.s." Or. eros senor of Buffalo read this
year bstare tte American Medical associ-
atinn paper from which we extract the
following: IAN alcoholic problem con-
fronts the people of these United States.
For the solution Of this vast amount
OF teaching must BIZ done. Taken
internally, alcohol has n usefulness for
the healthy human organism, but works