United labor bulletin., 1909-12-17
MODERATE USE VS..
TOTAL ABSTINENCE.
German Scientists Join in Notable
Symposium.

German Scientists Join in Notable
Symposium.
Almost at the same time, but wholly
Independent of each other. Professor
Fraenkel of Halle, and DR.. Theodore
Kirchhoff of Berlin, have instituted In
uuiries among the most eminent scien'
lists of Germany as to the effects of alco
holic beverages. Although the two in
uuiries differ in character and scope,
they both resolve themselves, in the last
analysis, into the question: whether the
moderate use of alcoholic beverages is
Injurious to mankind and whether the
advocacy of total abstinence is justifi-
able from scientific point of view. The
inquiries were confined to scientists of
international reputation, most of whom
are prominently connected with the high
est institutions of learning in Germany.
We present the following brief ex'
tracts from the opinions expressed by
these men on the subject in question:
The Physiological Effects of Alcohol.
Professor Fraenkel submitted to his
correspondents the following questions,
viz:
Do you consider the consumption of
alcoholic beverages under all conditions
and even in small quantities, as injur-
ious to health and dangerous?
If this is not your opinion, what guam
titative limit would you fix for their con-
sumption?
synopsis of the most interesting OF
these opinions shows that medical
science. speaking through its most emf
nent practitioners, is certainly not in
favor of unconditional abstinence, a fact
that may be commeded, as guide in
their future utterances, to advocates of
this theory.
University Professor Falkenheim, M
D., Koenigsberg: Although l am very
temperate myself. 1 believe that the con-
sumption of alcoholic beverages in mod
crate quantities by normally constituted
adults is free from danger.
Professor Franz Koenig, NJ. D.. Direc-
tor of the Surgical Clinic and Dispens-
ary, Berlin: In my family alcoholic bev-
erages (beer and wine) are not banished
from the table, and are consumed by my
self and family in moderate quantities.
would not care to eliminate from my lie
the glass of wine which has carried me
over periods of depression and sorrow.
Dr. E. Storch, of the Royal Phychiatric
Clinic for Nervous Diseases at Breslau:
l maintain that a man, sound in body and
mind. can partake-in moderation, OF
of o1c
quality, without fear of injury to his
health The total abstinence movement
must be classed with other extrava-
gances that cannot be taken seriously. l
place it in the same category with vege-
tarianism, anti-vaccination, spiritualism,
etc. It is a remarkable fact that we fire.
quently encounter all of these 'fads" in
the same individual,
The Imperial Health Bureau, Ber1n:
1t is not necessary to go to the extreme
of depriving of alcoholic beverages
grown, vigorous human being who seeks,
by their moderate use, n certain stimula-
ton. Are not stimulants, varying in
character with the times and differing
with the separate peoples. as old as hui
manity itself?
Privy Medical Councillor DR.. H. Sen
ator, Professor at the University of Ber-
lin: Except where, in cases of disease,
their use is not desirable, 1 am of your
opinion in regard to the consumption OF
alcoholic beverages, especially wine.
Professor Schrotter of the Imperial
Royal University at Vienna: Forty-three
years practice as a physician convinces
me that no injury results from the mod
crate use of alcohol.
Chief Medical Councillor Professor
Hauser, NJ. D., member of the Imperial
Health Council, Carlsruhe: l regard
total abstinence as unnecessary and un-
der certain circumstances as harmful to
the justiiable and timely temperance
movement, which is made ridiculous in
the eyes of the people by the extrava
giant demands of total adbstinence advo
Gates.
Privy Councillor Professor Schmidt, NJ.
D., member of the National Health Coun-
cil Marburg: 1 appreciate the moderate
use of alcohol, in the form of wine or
beer. from a hygienic standpoint. and re-
gard it as devoid of all danger.
Privy Councillor DIR. KONG, Munster,
director of the Agricultural Experiment
Stotion of the Chamber of Agriculture of
the Province of Westphalia: While re-
garding abuse as injurious, l consider
the moderate use of stimulants as a per.
missible indulgence.
(To be continued next week.
r + + r +
INVASION OF RIGHTS.