New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-09-21
ZEAL VERSUS TRUTH.

Referring to the expected report of a commit
tee of teachers and principals of New-York City
on the so-calIed temperance teaching in the pub
lie schools American Medicine takes occasion
to renew its protests against what it terms ''the
fanatical ignorance of this propaganda" 1t
does not at this time cite such statements about
alcohol as these, which are contained in the
textbooks of physiology and hygiene used in
this State because of the arbitrary require
ments of the law:
If the roots of a plant are placed IN a vessel
containing water. the plant will remain fresh
for some time; but If the water contains even a
small amount of alcohol the plant soon dies.
Plants the roots of which were piaced III cloer
or beer were dead In less than three DAYS
DR.. Percy administered two ana one-naiI
ounces of alcohol to a full grown dog The ami
NAL uttered loud cry and fell lfeess to the
ground.
NAV he both food and poison at the same time.
Alcohol cannot be assimilated, ana hehce
does not replenish the tissues
Is it strange that when boy learns TO esu-
mate at their real value such arguments as
these his respect for Temperance teachihg van
ishes? AS matter of fact, overstatement has
its usual effect Says one teacher: "A cigarette
.fiend won the last Woman's Christian Tenn
"nerance Union prize in our school for an essay
showing the effects Of tobacco. He still keeps
ION using cigarettes" Another reports that to
the question How many can trace their aver
'sion TO the use of alcoholic drinks, or their dis
approval of the same, TO the teachings of the
''physioIogiesY none responded, the inquiry
causing much merriment' in the class.
Sensible recommendations made in the prelim-
mary report Of the committee previously re
ferred to are that the spirit or the la" pe iul-
filled by teaching that in excess aicohoi lnpairs
certain cerebral functions; that what is e&-
cess will differ with different individuals; that
in health and under ordinary circumstances al
cohol is not an economic food: that spirits used
as beverages should be largely diluted, and
taken only at meals or after the work OF the
day is over and that youths under twenty-one
should abstain altogether from alcohol, except
under specific medical advice Finally:
So long as the existing statute remains IN
force, If truthful instruction is to be given IN
the subject, the possible benefits or alcono "nei
prescribed by physicians should be conceoea.
The difference in the effects on the human oooy
of fermented beverages Cbeer and light wnes)
and distilled liquors should also be noted Eli
phasis should be laid, too, on the greater sus-
jury from the of alcohol in any form ana 10
the danger of forming undesira bic habits- fu-
IS wide disagreement among authorizes as 10
The physiologic effects of a strictly moderate
use of liquors by adults. On the other hand, at
tention should called TO the fact that the
moderate of alcohol very commonly leads TO
excess. and the teacher should emphasize the
fact that an immoderate use of liquors Weakens
the tissues so that they made more susceptl-
bic TO disease.
Among the works on physiology whose titles
cover four pages in the New-York Board of
Education's catalogue there doubtless some
whose teachings on alcohol and tobacco are
honest and wise, and teachers are permitted we
believe, TO their discretion in selecting from
TINS list; but certainly such manuals as those TO
which We have referred should be placed on