The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1896-07-29
According to these results of ex-
,aotancv 2644 were exnected in the

less, or go per CeuL. vi Iue IOldl eNptc-
tancy saved. Under the same rules,
and for the same period Of time, the
number of deaths expected in the non
abstainers' section was A. ,40S, and ,339
actually accured, being only SO less, or
is per cent. of the total expectancy
saved. The difference in favor of the
abstaners is % per cent.
"In the Sceptor Life Association the
deaths in the non-abstainers' section
during seven years ending with 1882
were 335 of the 43S expected, or "a per
cent, below expectancy, while in the to-
tai abstainers' section the deaths were
only 73 out Of 165 expected, or Sc per
cent. in favor of the total abstainers. So
uniform have been these results, where
in the data have been furnished for COM
parison, that the Britain Life Associa-
tion issues policies to total abstainers at
a reduction of 10 per cen.
''In 1882 DR.. Thornley, read paper
in Bolton, England, in which he made
a careful comparison of the health and
death-rate of the Independent Order of
Rechabites and the Independent Order
of Odd Fellows. The former com posed
of the most rigid total abstainers from
all alcoholic drinks, and the latter OF
the most respectable and orderly citi-
zens. but for the most part non-abstain-
ers."
"Dr. Thornley, states that in 1876
there were in Blackburn, Bolton, and
Manchester 3,400 Rechabites. Their
deaths that year were 46. In Black.
burn, the same year, there were $500
Odd Fellows, and their deaths were 76.
OF cases of sickness the Rechabitas had
1872 per cent, while the Odd Fellows
had 2053 per cent. Ofevery 100 Rech-
abites l6 were sick of every 100 Odd
Fellows 20 were sick. During the prev.
alence oftyphoid fever, in the same dis
trict, 1S per 1000 of the Rechabites
died, and 81 per 1000 of the Odd Eel.
lows. At the same time, and in the
same district, $50 per 1000 of the
liquor-dealers died, beings of the latter
to l of the Rechabites."
1t will be remembered that there
were no drunkards included among
those insured, as no insurance company
will grant policy to a man of that
class.
We notice in the mortality statistics
of Maine, State wherein prohibition
has existed many years. that in 1892
eleven men and women died who were
over one hundred years old; and the
census shows there are twentY-one CEN
tenarians still living. 1t is question
able whether any other State of equal
population can show as favorable re-
port as to longevity.
If a given number of young men
commence a dissipated life at twenty
years of age, their average longevity
will not extend beyond over thirty-five
years and six months, while continuing
steady, abstemious life they will at
tain to the average of sixty-four years
and two months.
When we, as medical men, take into
consideration the many diseases pro-
duced by the use of alcohol which tend
to destroy life, we feel astonished that
any member of the profession should
for moment doubt its effects in short
ening longevity.
It will be seen by reference to the
British Registrar-General's tables OF
"comparitive mortality of those en-
gagged in the different industries" in
which it was shown that the death.rate
of men between twenty-five and sixty
five years, engaged as brewers CONNER
cial travellers, inn-keepers, publicans,
wine, spirit, and beer dealers was SIX
times greater from diseases Of the liver
and two times greater from diseases OF
the urinary organs and the cireulatory
system than in farmers and graZlers,
drapers and warehousemen, gardens
and nurserymen.
The estimated mortality due to the
effects of alcohol in this country is
about 100000 annually.
Besides those who die from the varl-
GUS diseases produced by alcohol, a
great many lose their lives in brawls
and fights, and by suffering capital
punishment for the commission of
crime, while some commit suicide.
These, added to those who die from
disease produced by drink, futher shor-
ten the average life of the intemperate
man.
The simple shortening of oflongevity is
small matter compared to the pauper-
ism, criminality, demoralizations, and
wretched homes resulting from intem-
perance.
DIR. Crothers, of Hartford, who has
bad long experiencein the management
of institutions for the inebriate and in
sane, says that "inebriety is the active
cause of from ID. to 80 per cent. of all
insanity from 30 to 80 per cent. of all
idiocy from 60 to 80 per cent. of all
pauperism, and from so to SIS per cent.
of all crime" then asks the question,
'Who can estimate the relief of the tax
payers by the removal of the perils to
both property and life from drunken
ness ?" u.