The Republican., 1899-10-12
WILL DO GREAT GOOD.
The International Congress Against
the Abuse of Alcohol Most
Remarkable Catherine

The meeting of this congress in Paris
from the 4th to the 9th of April was in
many respects the most remarkable
gathering of the closing years of the
century. In numbers over twelve hun
dred were registered, and four or five
hundred more attended as interested
spectators. Over half of this number
were professional men, of which 100
were 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 ali the way from
the most passionate appeals and terri
tying descriptions of the evils of alco-
hol to the most critical analysis of their
physiological action and the most ex-
haustive balancing of figures and re-
ports of influence of spirits on the So
cial, economic and hygienic welfare of
the 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
a public reception and excursion and
other fayors.
The lay press were mildly sympa-
thetic and reported the proceedings
briefly. The medical press made brief
references, and altogether the congress
and its work seemed to have awakened
wondering interest in the public
mind. 1t was the impression that little
new scientifically was brought out in
this congress, but many old facts re-
ceived a 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-
lutionary, and in this respect it was
remarkable as an unmistakable indica-
tion of change in the current beliefs
of 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 several
papers of considerable interest. The
influence of climate on the poisonous
paper. The influence of food in the
causation and the relation of tubercu-
losis to inebriety was discusS2L in sew
eral papers. Most of the addresses and
papers seemed to concentrate IN the
value of total abstinence and the dam
gerous action of alcohol en- the orgaES
ism. Very little was offered in the
matter of treatment, even by the ply
sicians. But the various anti-alcohoiic
societies delegates urged the value of
their work with great enthusiasm. The
devotion and contagious earnestness
manifest in all the Sc :tions of this con-
gress, with eagerness to learn every
thing new, was most significant sign
of Il new spirit of inquiry which will
change the theories of the past con-
cerning alcohol and its use, and de-
m2nd the evidence on which they are
based. This was the seventh biennial
meeting of leading men and women of
Europe to discuss the evils from alco-
hol. From a small gathering at first,
up to this monster international con-
gress with delegates from nearly every
country in the world, the growth has
been distinct and rapid. The scientific
spirit of inquiry has begun in Europe,
and alcohol and inebriety, with all its
attending evils, cannot be concealed
longer by theory, prestige and custom.
Another meeting was announced TO
take place at Berlin in June, 1901, and
already preparations have begun for
this gathering.
The awakening Of the beer and wine
drinking countries of Europe to the
dangers of these drinks as beverages
and to the poisonous action of alcohol
on the body is a most startling sign of
revolution and evolution. This great
gathering of the middle and upper
classes to discuss this subject is the
unmistakable evidence. The few pi-
oneers in America and England rejoice,
and the new century will open with
a rapidly accumulating army of re-
search along the frontiers of this great
impending evil of alcohol and its in
flnence on the race.-Jourpal Of In
ebeiety.