The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1908-12-16
The WARFARE AGAINST DRINK
TEMPERANCE BATTLE GATHERS
STRENGTH EVERY DAY.

Alcoholism is Declining - Facts
Which Show Il Gratifying De.
eas of Drinking and Drunken.
mes in England.
United States Consul Frank W.
Mahin. of Nottingham, in writing on
the Decrease Of Drinking and
Drunkenness in England" says:
The truth Of such a statement
would probably be doubted by the
casual. observer Of the number of
intoxicated people on the streets and
of men and women entering public
houses. But the. evidence Is derived
from a comparative study of social
conditions and from the custom re-
turns and the reports of beer-brew-
ing companies. No doubt another
trustworthy guide is the tendency Of
public sentiment, which is unques-
tionably in the direction Of sobriety.
Temperance societies in this country
are growing in numbers and infu-
ence. Outside Of these, the abuse of
~intoxicants in its relation to mental
and physical health is receiving much
attention. A special committee last
year made an exhaustive investiga-
ton Of the subject and reported to
Parliament. The substance of this
report was, at the request Of temper
ance societies, published by the au-
thorities Of several London and pro-
vincial boroughs through placards
posted or billboards and distributed
In factories and workshops. The
Nottingham placard, signed by the
chairman of the City Councils health
committee, the city's medical officer,
and the Town Clerk, reads ds follows:
The report OF the committee pre-
scented to Parliament by command OF
His Majesty states that:
The abuse OF alcoholic stimulaats
is a most potent and deadly agent OF
physical deterioration.
Alcoholic persons are, specially IL
able to tuberculosis and all in1am-
matory disorders. ~,
Evidence was placed before the
committee showing that in abstinence
is to be sought the source OF 'muscu-
lar vigor and activity.
The lunacy figures show a large
and increasing rumber OF admissions
of both sexes which are due to drink.
The following facts, recognized by
the medical profession and ~placarued
all over France by order of the Gov
eminent. are published in order to
carry out the recommendation of the
committee and to bring home to men
and women the fatal effects OF alco-
hol on physical efficiency:
% Alcoholism Is a chronic pois-
oning, resulting from the habltual
use of alcohol whether as spirits,
wine or beer) which may never go
as far as drunkenness.
" (2J% It Is a mistake to say tina
those doing hard work require stimu-
llants. AS a3fact, no one requires al
cohol as either food OF tonic.
(3) Alcohol is really a narcotic,
ldulling the nerves, like laudanum OF
opium, but Is more dangerous than
either in that often it's first effect Is
to weaken a mans se%lf-control, while
his passions are excited; hence the
number of crimes which occur un-
der its influence. ~t-
az Spirits, as these are usually
taken, rapidly produce alcoholism,
but milder alcoholic drinks, as beer,
and even cider, drunk repeatedly
every day produce, after a time, al
! coholic poisoning with equaf Ger
tainty. z
f5) The habit of drinking leads to
the ruin of families, the neglect OF
social duties. disgust for work, mis-
cry. theft and crime. 1t leads also
to the hospital, for alcohol produces
the most various and the most fatal
diseases. including paralysis, insan-
ity. diseases of the stomach and liver
and dropsy. It also paves the way 10
consumptiob and f~requenters OF pub
lie houses furnish a large proportion
Of the victims Of this disease. 1t
complicates and aggravates all acute
diseases typhoid fever. pneumonia
and e~rysipelas are rapidly fatal IN
the subject Of alcoholism. .
(6) The sins of, alcoholic parents
are visited on the children; If these
survive Infancy, they are threatened
with idiocy or epilepsy, and many
are carried away by tuberculosis,
meningitis, or phthisis (consuTp-
~
60 In short. alcoholism is the
--ost terrible enemy. to personal
health. to family happiness and to
national prosperity.
This action o. city governments,
chosen without reference to the tenn
perance question. is the strongest
possible indication of the trend OF
public sentiment. and, though in it.
self an effect. is likely to be a prime
cause in furthering the temperance
movement in this country.