The Press., 1897-07-29
w. C. T. U.
Valuable Testimony.

In response to request from Christian churches and allied philanthropic organi- cations in the United States, committee of distinguished physicians, members of the American Medical association, was chosen to examine the textbooks used in the public schools to teach temperance physiology and endorsed by the Woman's Christian Temperance Union. Their re- port was given in full in The Union Signal of April 15, every one of these medical experts pronounoing them to be accurate. In addition to this Mrs. Hunt has secured statement from Dr. Baer, the royal sanitary commissioner in Berlin, Germany, the foremost European specialist on the subject of the effects of alcohol and other narcotics upon the human organism. We hope our readers will cut 1t out and pre- serve 1t for future use. It is most valu- able testimony to the scientific accuracy of these textbooks that are so often as- sailed.
 Berlin, N. w., May 15, ,Rathenower str.5.
 
 of Scientific Temperance Instruction in Schools and Colleges, Represented by Mrs. Mary H. Hunt, Superintendent, 23 Trull Street, Boston, Mass.
 Honored Madam By your letter of March 15 you have done me the honor to request my opinion in regard to the "ap- proved and endorsed temperance physiol- vr,Go hou hooV mo nd ap now in use in the public schools of most of the states of North America, as to whether the teachings of these school books, in regard to the value and effect of alcoholic drinks, are In harmony with the principles of modern science.
 In order to ascertain the truth of the important question at issue, have gladly undertaken the task, and have examined with strict impartiality the school books sent me (enumerating the textbooks on the endorsed list).
 On the basis of the examination have made, I can assert that the above men, tioned school textbooks, in respect to their statements regarding alcoholic drinks, contain and disseminate no teach ings which are not in harmony with the attitude of strict science.
 Ideas and facts as to the actual value of alcohol as food, as to the effect of its occasional or habitual use upon the body, upon the tissues and organs, likewise up on the brain and its activity are, through. out, represented correctly and clearly and often with remarkable felicity adapt ed to the youthful understanding.
 Though, personally, do not practice total abstinence, yet consider the dis semination of the above teachings in the way of instruction in the schools, wise and the most admirable and effective means of opposing and averting the serious evils which alcohol does both the individual and society, and of bringing about complete change in the drink habits
 Hoping for the best results of youl efforts, I am with much esteem, you obedient servant, Dr. A. Baer.
 Geheimer Sanitatsrath, Chief Physician of the Penitentiary, Pl6tzensee, bel Der lin.
 Mrs. Hunt has also received letter oi appreciation for the valuable service she rendered the state of Illinois during the recent contest for stronger temperance educational law. It bears the signatures of Hendrick V. Fisher, president of the senate, Edward c. Curtis, speaker of the house, and Charles Bogardus, chairman committee on education.
 | Mrs. Hunt is our national delegate tC the International Congress on Alcohol to be held in Brussels August 30 to Sep tember 3, 1897. An elaborate program is already in print.
 The largest meeting of the Nationa Educational association known in Its history opened at the exposition building in Milwaukee, Wis, July 6. It Is esti mated that over seventeen thousand dele gates were in attendance. Fifteen thous and people were turned away from tht first meeting.
 President Charles R. Skinner, superin tendent of public instruction of the stat, of New York, made the first address. | Mrs. Ellen M. Henrotin, president 0 the general federation of women's clubs presented 8 paper the second day. Presi dent Skinner in introducing her said ha one of the encouraging things for tn cause of education is the interest takel in schools by women. The ladies wer asked to take off their hats and severa thousand responded.
 The third day Dr. Lyman Abbott spok for religious training in the schools, no theology, but practical training il justice, mercy, truth, faith, hope, love goodness. "Man must learn to goverl himself. His motive powers must b, educated as we'll as his thinking power or he will not become good citizen..... When I read of two hundred lynchlngs il this country last year, when I see tramp increasing on the one hand and multi millionaires growing in numbers on tn other hand, when find criminals ar multiplying, feel we ought to have som of the religion of the Hebrew" Women constitute large majority o the educators of America. Women wer as much in evidence at this convention a men; they read papers, delivered ad dresses and made impromptu speeches a we'll as the masculine delegates bot sexes shared equally in the labor whlc made the gathering such 8 'feast O reason and flow of soul"-they divide the work, but what about the honors In the list of officers elected for the on