The San Francisco call., 1906-09-09


enness in England says:
The truth of such a statement would
probably be doubted by the casual OBJ
server of the number of intoxicated
people on the streets and OF men and
women entering public houses. But the
evidence is derived from compara-
tive study of social conditions and from
the customs returns and the report os
heer brewing companies. No doubt an
other trustworthy guide is the ten
dency of public sentiment. which is un-
GueStiOnably in the direction OF So
briety. Temperance societies in this
country are growing in numbers ana
influence. Outside of these, the abuse
of intOxicants in it's relation to mental
and physical health is receiving much
attention special committee last
year made an exhaustive Investigation
or the subject and reported to Parlia-
ment.
The substance OF this report was al
the request of temperance societies
published by the authorities OF several
London and provincial boroughs
through placards posted on biI1boards
and distributed in factories and work
shops The Nottingham placard. signed
by the chairman of the City CounciTs
health committee. the city's medical
officer and the Town Clerk. reads as
follows:
The report Of the committee pre-
sented to Parliament by command OF
his Majesty states that:
The abuse of alcoholic stimulants Is
most potent and deadly agent of ply
steal deterioration.
Alcoholic persons are specially liza
BILE to tuberculosis and all infamna-
tory disorders.
Evidence was placed before the
committee showing that in abstinence
is to be sought the source of muscular
viSor and activity.
The lunacy figures show a large and
increasing number of admissions OF
both sexes which are due TO drink
The following facts. recognized BY
the medical profession and placarded
ali over France by order of the Gov
ernment. are published in order to
carry out the recommendation of the
committee and to bring home to mer
and women the total effects of alcohol
on physical efficiency;
Il Alcoholism is a. chronic poisoning
resulting from the habitual use OF al
cohol whether as spirits. wine or
beer,. which may never so as far as
drunkenness.
-. 1t Is a mistake to say that those
doinS hard work require stimulants.
As fact no one requires alcohol as
either food or tonic.
3 Alcohol Is really a narcotic. dull
ing the nerves. like laudanum or OPT
um. but Is more dangerous that either
in that often it's first effect is to weak
en- mans self-control while his pas
sions are excited; hence the number OF
crimes which occur under it's influence.
II. Spirits. rs usually taken. rapidly
produce alcoholism, but miIder aIco-
holic drinks. beer and even cider.
drunk repeatedly every day. produce
after a time alcoholic poisoning with
equal certainty.
. The habit OF drinking leads 10
the ruin Of families. the neglect Of So
cial duties. disgust for work. misery.
theft and crime II leads also 10 the
hospital. for alcohol produces the most
various and the most fatal diseases.
including paralysis. insanity. disease OF
the stomach and liver and dropsy
's- The sins OF alcoholic parents are
visited on the children. IL these sur
vive infancy they are threatened with
idiocy or epilepsy. and many are car
ried away by tuberculosis. meningitis
or phthisis consumption.
In short, alcoholism is the most
terrible enemy to personal health. 10
family happiness and to national pros
perity."