The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1897-01-28

REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE
The Committee on the Abuse of Alec
holic drinks from u Sanitary Standpoint
submitted q most elaborate report The
committee admitted that alcoholism exists
everywhere, aud it Is quite right that all
should combine 10 restrict IT.
Alcoholism must not be contounded
with the moderate use OF alcoholic bevcr'
ages. Taking glass of wine at dinner
and taking II glass of whisky do not con
stItutr alcoholism. Some benefit may
even he derived from taking IL small
quantity of beer or wine at meals. They
are clements OF Dutrition aud stimulate
the digestive func ions; they strengthen
without Undertaking. Ii is the immoderate
and continued use OF n'cnhOlic beverages
which constitutes alcoholism, and that is
what must be condemned 10 alcoholism
the majority OF deaths AMI diseases are
due; it ILLS our hospitals, II fosters crime,
suicide and poverty.
Tho COMMITTEES declared Itself opposed
to prohibition; although prCbibitlonists
are animated by the best Of motives. they
fail to attain their obj c., in as much rs
they propose an impractichbie remedy the
severity Of which is not Justified by OK
prricuce. One OF the members OF tho
Committee, who resided six years in
Italy could not say that he ever met n
really intoxicated man; they perhaps got
little too lively but that is all, and that
Is Ihn experience of the countries or dis
tricls where vinc' arc cultivated. 1t has
been observed that in the South of
France, where wine is chiefly maui
faciurgd, there is less drunkenness than
in the north where wine IS made
Amtrca is the only country in The
world where rich and Door alike drink
standing without being thirsty. There
al, NptIhnuL trpuIlpntpu
by all ranks Of society. Many OF our
creates statesmen, professional men and
others are victims Of alcoholism. For
this We must chiefly blame that deplorable
custom of Offering o sand treat on the
slightest prctcxt and AS the proper thing
to b. done. The fair sex does not always
escape he danger and many of our fash
iunnhlc women do not consider IL beneath
their dignity to take II small quantity OF
rum or whisky punch with rather too
much regularity.
TuN committee concluded by recon-
munding amongst other things
That governments should control the
manufacture Of alcoholic liquors.
2 That the duties on these be consider
ably raised
5 That the duties on wine beer and
coffee be removed In Turkey, whore
much coffee is consumed, drunkenness Is
unknown
A. That the penalties for adulteraton be
increased
g. That the cost of licences be increas-
ed in order to reduce the number of
saloons
g. That there be sanitary inspection of
liquors sold for consumption.
/ That the cultivation OF the vine BE-
! encouraged.
s. That the penalty for selling liquor to
| minors be increased
0 That habitual drllnkards be sent to
| prison and be made to work while detain'
| ed lhorc,
10 That the condition of the working
| man be improved, that he be provided
| with the mems OF amusing himself; re-
spectlvciy; That he be diverted from
saloons by opening temperance coffee
houses to which he can resort with the
members of his family.
Tn, American Public Health Associn'
ton is composed of several hundred dis
tingui,hud physicians Of the United States
Mexico and Canada. President, Dr.
Henry B Horlbeck, Charleston, ). q
secretary, DR.. Irving A. Watson, Concord
| n. Fl. T. b. FRAZER,
Wilmington, Del, Jan. %, 1891.