The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-08-21
"DRINK AND LIVE long"

Nothing tends So much TO show that
Harvey's figures. used so freely and SO
vigorously it his free silver arguments.
are possibly fa1lacious as recent life in
surance table. 1t is based upon report
OF the International Medical Association.
and. unexplained by collateral conditions.
goes to prove that the total ahstainer lives
shorter life than the drinker. With all
respect 10 comparative statistics as a
branch OF science. we pause before accept
ing the conclusions.
The historical student win remember the
murrnuring regret for those good old days
OF English cheer when a chine of beef and
a pot OF beer formed the matutinal repast
Of fair maid OF honor in the time OF
Queen Elizabeth; and poets have sung of
the nut brown ale of Mcrrie England and
the tempting beverage brewed from a
"peck O. malt" The modern drinker. too,
tells Of those rare old days when beer was
made of hops and barley. affording sus-
tenance as well as temporary refreshment
But few would have been found bold
enough 70 declare that drinking induced
longevity and that abstinence was a mark
ed characteristics OF those who die at
comparatively early age.
Nevertheless. these doctors In session as
sembled. report that they have made care
fui inquiry into 5.2s4 cases of deaths Of
persons OF over Is years of age. and of all
callngs, which were divided into five
eroups--total abstainers. moderate drink
ers. drinkers who were careful not TO
drink too much. heavy drinkers and
excessive drinkers. The investigation
showed that the age reached in these five
classes was always the shortes. with the
total abstainers: that they were shorter
lived even than the excessive drinkers.
With regard to wine drinkers the results
were: Moderate drinkers, So years; heav-
Ter. but careful. drinkers, IS years; intern
perate drinkers. IS years; excessive drink
ers, So years; abstainers, 50 years.
The moderate drinker, according to this.
all other things being equal. stands a
chance to live thirteen years longer than
the total abstainer. Admitting the figures
10 be correct. as they probably are, it will
seem more reasonable to assume that deli
cate health Is a cause OF abstinence than
that drinking fosters robust health. The
proportion OF deaths among the delicate
would. OF course, be much greater.
As rule the man who drinks at all is
one OF good constitution. out and about
much among his fellow men, while the alb
stemious man liz more OF a recluse. indif-
ferent health tending to keep him out OF
the night air and 10 seek recreations In
tho quieter precincts of home.
The abstalner runs TO muffiers. turns up
his coat collar and wears rubber shoes, all
more or less aggravations of imperfect
health. The more robust bares his throat,
wears wooden socks and heavy boots, but
takes active exercise and cold baths. To
such man a moderate amount of liquor
or an occasional smoke seems TO do as
little harm as pie hot bread. strong coffee
or other notorious dyspepsia manufacture
ers.
hut wa arc not prepared to maintain
that. consequently. pie makes Gentleman
ians. or that alcohol adds 10 ones years
OF usefulness