Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1911-06-15
Alcohol Leads to Disease.

II has long been known that the use OF
alcohol induced in man condition which
makes his system liable to disease of va
rious kinds, and also made the cure of
disease even more difficult.
AT recent medical congress OF tuber-
culosis in London, number OF declara-
tions were made concerning the effect OF
alcohol drinking in producing the disease
which were practically ignored by the
general press, and received very scant
treatment in scientific papers.
AT that gathering OF medical scientists
Prof. P. Brouardel, dean of the Faculty
of Medicine of Paris, read paper on tu-
berculosis in which he stated that, in
some countries, it was accountable for
a sixth, a fifth, and sometimes fourth OF
Ii e total mortality from all causes" He
further stated that the public house is the
purveyor OF tuberculosis, and that 'al-
coholism is the most potent factor in its
propagation"
tuberculosis is one of the most deadly
of all the physical diseases which Scourge
humanity, and we have it on very high
authority that most of it is due to drink.
II is startling statement, and ought to
have received wide publicity. But any
thing which would hinder the consump-
ton OF alcohol, that pleasant poison" to
which so many are paSsionately devoted,
is carefully concealed.
The following is the salient portion OF
Professor BrouardeTs important declara-
ton:
"In fact, alcoholism is the most potent
factor in propagating tuberculosis. The
strongest man, who has once taken TO
drink, is powerleSS against it. Time is
too short for me now TO draw compari-
sons between the laws in force in differ
ent countries, those which are proposed,
private efforts, associated afforts, and
temperance societies. But can say,
that a universal cry of despair rises from
the whole universe at the sight OF the dis
aster caused by alcoholism.
"Any measures, State or individual,
tending to limit the ravages of ofalcoholism,
will be our most precious auxiliarieS in
the crusade against tuberculosis, but the
question is too large one TO deal with
here. Still, should like to draw atten-
ton to a mistake made too easily in the
different countries by ministers who have
charge OF the financial department OF the
State. They like TO calculate the sum
the State gets from the duty on alcohol,
but they should deduct from ii the cost TO
the community OF the family Of the ruined
drunkard, his degenerateS, intirm, scroll
ulous and epiIeptic children, who must
have shelter
"ThS invasion of alcoholism ought to
be regarded by every one as a public
danger, and the principle, the truth which
Is incontestable, should be inculcated into
the masses, that the future Of the world
will be in the hands OF temperance.
The dean of the Faculty OF Medicine
in Paris was not alone in his contention
At the same congress DR.. A. T. Kelynack
of Manchester, in the course Of paper
on the same subject, said:
alcoholism and tuberculosis stand
foremost amongst the conditions hamper
ing human progress and limiting mans
happiness. Through them the evolution
of the race has long been impeded, and,
unfortunately, in spite OF numerous re-
straining and restricting efforts, Their
baneful influence is still accountable for
high degree of mortality and an immense
amount Of sickness and suffering.
"With two such morbid influences bar
ring human advance, it was but natural
that eager minds studying the one should
have been compelled TO recognize the
presence and action OF the other"