Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1899-10-14
WILL DO GREAT GOOD.
The international Congress AgHf1st
the Abuse of Alcohol n Most
Remarkable Catherine

The meeting of this congress in Paris
from the 4th TO the 9th of April was in
rrany respects the most remarkable |
gathering of the closing years of the |
century. In numbers over twelve hun
tdred were registered, and four or Eve
hundred more attended as interested /
spectators. Over half of this number
Nvere professional men, of which 100 |
y1were physicians, the remainder were /
lawyers, teachers and clergymen- The |
.others were government Officials re |
formers, philanthropists and interested
laymen. The topics discussed were
very general ranging all the way from
ahe most passionate appeals and terri
flying descriptions of the evils of alco-
Ehol TO the most critical analysis of their
physiological action and the most ex-
thnustive balancing of figures and re-
ports of influence Of spirits on the So
icial, economic and hygienic welfare of
She race.
A number of very eminent men pre-
sided in the general and sectional meet
ings, and the city of Paris and French
government recognized the congress in
n public reception and excursion and
other favors.
The lay press were mildly sympa-
thetic and reported the proceedings
briefly. The medical press made brief
references, and altogether the congress
and it's work seemed to have awakened
n wondering interest in the public
nrind. 1t was the impression that little
new scientifically was brought out In
this congress. but many old facts re-
ceEved new confirmation and setting,
and the anaesthetic action of alcohol
was reasserted with more emphasis
than ever, The spirit and enthusiasm
OF the congress was intense and revo-
7utionary, and IN this respect IL was
remarkable as an unmistakable indica-
:tion Of a change in the current beliefs
sof the value of alcohol. both as bever-
age and medicine. THE disease of in
,ebriety and asylums for the treatment
and cure was the subject of severa
papers of considerable interest The
dnfuence of climate on the poisonous
action OF alcohol was the theme OF ont
paper. The influence OF food in th'
.cansati0n and the relation Of tubercu
1oxis TO inebriety was discussed in sew
yeral papers. Most of the addresses anS
papers seemed to concentrate on tn
value of total abstinence and the dan
.Kerous action OF alcohol on the organ
Ism. Very little was offered IN tn
znatter OF treatment. even by the ply
Micians. But the various anti-elcoholi
societies delegates urged the value G
their work with great enthusiasm tn
devotion and contagious earnestnes
manssest in all the sections of this col
.gress, with eagerness to learn eVery
thing new, was n most significant sig
OF new spirit of inquiry which wi
change the theories of the past col
corning alcohol and its use, and d
Rnand the evidence or which they al
based This was the seventh bienni
meeting of leading men and women
Europe to discuss the evils from ale
hol. From small gathering at frs
mp to this monster international co
gress with delegates from nearly ever
country in the world, the growth h
been distinct and rapid. The scientif
spirit of inquiry has begun in Europ
and alcohol and inebriety, with all
attending evils, cannot be conceal'
longer by theory, prestige and custol
Another meeting was announced
take place at Berlin in June, 1901, al
already preparations have begun f
ahis gathering.
The awakening of the beer and wi
drinking countries of Europe to I
dangers of these drinks as beverag
and to the poisonous action of alcof
on the body is a most startling sign
revolution and evolution. This gre
gathering of the middle and upI
classes to discuss this subject is
unmistakable evidence. The few
soneers in America and England rejoi
and the new century win open w
rapidly accommodating army of
search along the frontiers OF this gr'
impending evil Of alcohol, and it's
8uence on the race.-Journal Of
isbriety. -