Richmond planet. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1883-1938, 1906-06-16
A PUBLIC DANGER.
How Cities in England and Scotland
Are Warning People Against
Drink.

In view OF the increasing interest
taken by municipalities in England
and Scotland in the question OF pub
lie health as affected by the use of
Intoxicating liquor, many OF the cities
and large towns have decided to Is
sue large posters in their respective
areas in order to warn the people
against the use of alcohol. Several
of the London borough councils,
Liverpool. Leeds, Tunbridge Wells in
England. Glasgow and Dundee Scot
land, are among the places that have
taken such action The trade has
raised an action in ne law courts in
order to arrest the spread of the
movement. The following is the form
of poster issued by the city of Dun
dee, which is typical of that issued
by other municipalities:
CITY OF DUNDEE.
PHYSICAL DETERIORATION AND
ALCOHOLISM.
The report of the committee, pre-
scented to Parliament by command of
His Majesty, states that:
The abuse of alcoholic stimulants
is a most potent and deadly agent OF
physical deterioration.
Alcoholic persons are specially liza
BILE to tuberculosis and all inhamma-
tory disorders.
Evidence was placed before the
committee showing that in absti-
hence is TO be sought the source Of
muscular vigOr 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 are published
in order to carry out the recommen-
dalton Of the committee and to bring
home 70 men and women the fatal
effects Of alcohol on physical eff
cheney:
(a) Alcoholism is a chronic poi
soning resulting from the habitual
abuse Of alcohol whether as spirits.
wine, or beer. which may never go
as far as drunkenness.
CD IL is a mistake to say that
stimulants are necessary for those
doing hard work
Co Alcohol is really a narcotic.
dulling the nerves. like laudanum or
opium. Its first effect is 10 weaken
a mans self-control while his pas
sions are excited; hence the number
OF crimes which occur under its in
fluence.
Cd For persons in ordinary health
the practice of drinking even the
milder alcoholic drinks apart from
meals is most injurious.
(e) The habit of drinking TO ex-
cess leads TO the ruin OF families, the
neglect OF social duties. disgust for
work, misery. theft, and crime. Il
leads also 10 the hospital. for alcohol
produces the most various and the
most fatal diseases, including paral-
ysis, insanity, diseases OF the stom-
ach and liver and dropsy. Ii also
paves the way TO consumption. and
frequenters of public houses furnish
large proportion OF the victims of
this disease. IL complexities and az
graVates all acute diseases; typhoid
fever, pneumonia and erysipelas are
much more fatal in the subject Of
alcoholism.
CD The sins Of parents who have
drunk 70 excess are visited on the
children. both morally and physically.
CD In short, alcoholism is the
most terrible enemy TO personal
health TO family happiness and 10
national prosperity. William Long
air, Lord Provost; Chas. Templeman,
M. D.. $. Sc. Medical officer of
Health; VIM. II. Blyth Martin, Town
Clerk.
Town House. Dundee, January, 1906.