The Catholic bulletin. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1911-1995, 1914-02-28
DOMAIN OF TEMPERANCE.
ALCOHOL, IT'S PLACE AND POWER.

D., X. G. M. G., Ottawa, in Saint
Joseph Lilies" Toronto, Ont Present
stringency in money will be rectifed
by time and common sense. With
the alcohol bill out of the question,
money would flow about much easier.
In Britain, Canada, and the Republic,
millions disappear annually, and no
practical good results. Fifteen years
ago, emigration from the British Isles
to Canada was about 5000 each year,
since then it has increased to fully
100000 annually. While our popula-
ton is small, is the time for advice
and counsel. Alcohol lessons muscu-
lar power and assuredly shortens life.
No tissue in the whole system is
strengthened by it, but lessened in
power and quality, and gradually, two
| important organs, the kidneys and
liver, break down under its use, even
in moderate quantity. Governmental
action is having powerful influ-
ence and the Minister of Militia ia
vors the withdrawal of alcohol to in
creases army efficiency.
1t is known fact that the best
marksmen avoid alcohol. Japan per-
forated the ships keels of her enc
mics with marked skill and dexterity,
and no alcohol behind the gun.
We are living in an age of general
progress and advancement and should
endeavor to keep up this high stand
ard. What Bright and Golden &C
complished for corn in Britain. Hon.
Sir James Whitney has quietly and
gradually brought about for Barley
| Corn in Ontario. Science has estab-
lished beyond doubt that those using
alcohol are more liable to disease
than those who do not, and that in
the use of alcohol, by those contracting
disease, recovery is doubtful.
The National Temperance League
invited two hundred doctors from all
parts of the world as their guests at
the Grafton Gardens, London, prior
to attending the recent Medical Con-
gress, to consider the problem of Tenn
perance. Sir Thomas Barton, Presi-
dent, said great progress had been
made in every grade of society in
England. The army and navy, through
the officers adopting the temperance
principle, at their mess, have proved
a striking example to their men. In
commercial life a marked change has
already taken place, particularly as
employers look unfavourably upon the
old habit of tipping and nipping, which
units one for commercial RESPONSE
bility. Medicated wines stabs in the
dark, and should be stamped out. Sir
Victor Horsley voiced his opinion
strongly, that the great medical con-
gress was setting up another land
mark by their united action, and who
know better than medical men the
place and power of alcohol. There
are few influences of such wide and
far-reaching effect, as arise from the
use and abuse of alcohol. Alcohol and
crime, alcohol and lunacy, alcohol and
poverty, are closely associated. In the
British Isles the total expenditure in
1909, was 161,OOO,O0O To-day
through the diversified influences at
work, most marked reduction has
taken place. Example is a powerful
factor, and common sense is working
in that direction. Educate our chill
dren in school life against it, and the
practical results will be telling. Fash
ion is a powerful factor, and our
leaders of society are doing a good
work in this direction. The struggles
of everyday life so fill the pages of
history, that silent efforts are of lit
tie account A strong and vigorous
organized effort is necessary to CO.
|
tional manner as to the serious prob
lens confronting humanity. At a re-
| cent medical congress in Milan, three
hundred doctors, university professors,
arraigned alcohol for it's terrible eff
fects of men and society generally.
Professor Marchiafava, of Rome, stat
ed the blood vessels of the system
degenerated under it's use, and partic-
ularly the heart, known as Beer
Heart" fatty degeneration. He
strongly advised all brain workers to
abstain from alcohol when under
stress of hard work, and he scouts
the idea that alcohol, even in small
doses, is a beneficial stimulant for
brain workers The problem of al
cohol is now being more than ever
investigated in a scientific, moral, and
sociological point of view, and the
general consensus of opinion is, "the
cup which cheers" in the cup which
kills"
| Sir Thomas Clauston, of Edinburgh,
states: Anything approaching ex-
cess in the use of alcohol was always
deteriorating, and dangerous to body
and mind" Mental disease and defect
would diminish, if alcoholic excess did
not exist, as the chief action of al
cohol was always on the higher and
more regulative of the mental facul-
ties. A nervous constitution of brain,
and bad nervous heredity are certain
to be followed by evil effects. Alcohol
in excess caused many forms of bodily
| disease, and lessened the prospect of
recovery. The excessive use Of al
cohol in the past hundred years is
vastly diminished, and chiefly with the
educated, and fortunately to-day, this
| is the experience of our Dominion.