The Press., 1897-12-30
w. c. 7. U.
Dr.J. w. GrOsvenor, of Buffalo, welcomes
the National Convention

DR.. j. w. GrOsvenor, of Buffalo, welcomes
the National Convention
TAs this is the first time that Nation
al w. C. T. U. convention has been form
ally welcomed by the medical fraternity,
and the fact denotes significant wide
ming of the non-alcoholic idea, we give
this address as sstenographicallyr ]
AS witnesses that we and our work are
akin, wish to call before you some OF
the great lights of our profession DIR.
Benjamin Rush, of Philadelphia, surgeon
general of the Army of the Revolution,
signer ofthe Declaration of1ndependence,
author, medical professor, accomplished
practitioner, earnest advocate of the
cause of temperance, and the non-use of
alcoholic intoxicants as a remedy in
disease; DR.. n. s. Davis, of Chicago, the
Nestor of the medical profession, member
of the American Medical Association for
fifty years, a total abstainer and a sue
cessful medical practitioner without the
use of alcohol. Crossing the Atlantic,
call to your attention the staunch DIR.
John Higinbotham, in the early days of
the present century sacrificing his popu-
larity among the wealthy and the titled,
but adhering to the principle of total
abs inence Misunderstanding large practice
among the common people without the
use of a simple drop of alcohol for thirty
years Dr. Benjamin Ward Richardson,
the brilliant and versatile author, the
keen scientist, philosopher, humanitarian,
busy practitioner-the echoes of his en-
logium have beted the world and will be
heard for scores of years to come. Cross
ing the English Channel TO Switzerland,
we come upon Professor Forell in his
laboratory, where he has demonstrated
the vicious qualities of alcohol and their
deleterious influence upon the human
organism.
AS evidence that the medical profession
is deeply interested in the alcohol ques-
tion, l wish to call your attention to sew
eral hospitals which have been founded
and superintenGed by physicians who have
no faith in alcoholic medication in the
treatment of disease.
The London Temperance hospital has
been in operation for more than twenty
| years; thousand of cases, medical and
surgical, have. been treated by its physi-
clans without the use of alcohol In the
year 1896 the death rate of that hospital
was rs per cent. The National Temper
ance Hospital of Chicago was founded
more than twelve years ago. During the
year 1896its death rate was 3. 1-8 percent.
The Red Cross Hospital in New York
city, founded four years ago, by its report
for 1896 shows that it's death rate was one
per cent. without the use of alcohol.
These figures speak eloqu emily in favor
of the non-medicinal use of alcohol in the
treatment of disease.
| AS further evidence that the medical
profession is deeply interested in the
alcohol question, note three important
utterances upon this subject. In the year
| 1889 statement was made and signed by
seventy-eight -rominent physicians OF
England which declared that In the
healthy, clean organism there was no use
| for alcohol.
In the year 1847 another declaration
was made and signed by more than 1000
eminent physicians, to the effect that per.
feet health may be compatible with total
abstinence from all Intoxicating drinks,
In 1878 similar declaration was made
and signed by 264 leading members OF
hospital staffs in England. AS further
evidence that the medical fraternity Is
deeply interested in this subject, wish to
call your attention to certain organiza-
tions that have been formed The British
Medical Temperance Association was
founded more than score of years age
and has membership of 1874 physicians
and medical students, every one of them
a total abstainer. The American Medica'
Temperance Association has nearly two
hundred members, every one of whom is
a total abstainer. Beer-dl mixing Germany
has also medical temperance association
and 180 of its members use no alcoholic
intoxicants.
During the last twenty-five years there
has been a marvellous revolution in the
sentiment OF the medical profession con
cerning. the utility of alcohol as bever
age aud as medicine. The vast majority
of the medical profession to-day do no
use it with the Same frequency as former
ly, while1he lumber of physicians VIII,
are total abstainers and who use it, moi
at all, has been increasing with commend
able rapidity.
Who can fail to take advantage Of thi