The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-03-31

washington. March 17.--Alcohol
practically has no therapeutic uses.
judsing from the discussions OF the
semi-annual meeting here today of
the American Society for the Study
ofAlcoholic and other Drug Narcotics.
Some OF the medical scientists con-
tend that alcohol has no therapeutic
uses. others that on the whole, Il has
few such uses. while another declared
that alcohol gradually is being ell
minsted as q drug.
Papers were read by Drs. Henry o.
Marcy. Of Boston. Mass, honorary
president OF the Society. entitled. "a
Medical Study of the Temperance
Movement In the SOUTH" Howard A.
Kelkr. Of Baltimore. on''The Alcoholic
Problem In Everyday Life" r. d.
crothers. OF Hartford. Conn. "The
Future Of the Alcoholic Problem"
anil w. b. Parks OF Atlanta. Ca,
The Effects Of Alcohol on Temper
smeat - Il Relates to Race and Ma
tlonslity."
Henry o. Marcy. M. D.. L. L. D..
of Boston. Masa. sx-prssident Of the
American Medical Association. deiiv-
srsd IN address on The Temperance
Novsment In the South from q scien-
tiAc Point OF View" He asserted
that the repid change Of public sem
simsnt favorable 10 most radical
measures for the suppression and
control Of the sale Of alcohol a. a
bey(rage was not q mere sentiment
o. iheory. but was deep feeling OF
alarm and recognition of the In
fiuence Of alcohol In intensifyint; and
Increasing the social perils OF homo
life and good government.
Medical and hysienic study. based
on statistics and mortality tables, In
dicste that alcohol an q beverage Is
q most active 'use Of degeneration
and disease among the colored and
iiliterate class Of the South.
The unrestrained use Of alcohol is
literally anarchy In which lift and
property are In constant peril. All
the leaders recognize that the alco-
holic problem has sanitary side of
tho most absorbing interest. and this
must be recognized and become a
part of the practical life of every
community.
w The unsettled conditions of home
life. the prejudices and conflicts OF
races inseparaole to the evolution OF
a new south. must have no complica-
tions from alcohol and forces that
are destructive to all healthy growth.
Industrial progress and develop
ment OF the vast resources of the
South y obstructed and retarded un-
hss alcohol and Its use as a bever-
age can be controlled or suppressed.
Dr. Howard X. Kelly, OF Baltimore,
Md. professor OF diseases Of women
ia the Johns Hopkins University, de-
ciared that THE Alcoholic Problem
in Every Day Life" Is becoming more
and more apparent In the diseases.
degenerations and injuries which are
traceable directly to the use of al
cohoi.
Every thoughtful physician must
recognize that alcohol as beverage
and even as a medicine has an un-
known danger that may come into
prominence In a great variety of dis
eases and conditions.
Every days experience brings out
this fact. and while we are not al
ways able to trace the connection,
there Is great certainty that II exists.
and that alcohol Is a dangerous and
uncerain drug. and as a beverage II
should have no place In healthy nor
NAL living.
DIR. +. ID. Crothers, of Hartford,
Conn. superintendent Walnut Lodge
Hospital. I'm a paper on THE Future
- the Alcoholic Problem" affirmed
hat at present there are positive In
~0ications OF the early solution OF this
great problem by means and meas
urss that cannot be mistaken.
4. Experience and laboratory re-
search have shown alcohol to be a
narcotic and Its effects on the sys-
tenn produce a distiass disease both
curabie and prsvsAtabie.
.. Thfs question Is one Of public
health and sanitary science. The sa-
loon for the promotion OF the sale of
spfrits is a centre of the PRONUNCIATION
OF this disease. and 10 doomed to ex.
uaction from larger and more exact
knowledge.
.sctoncn shnws that nic,,hsA 10