The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1914-07-23
by him Therefore. with all proper courtesy and

FOLlA FA1h LILLIAN AMI "a
by him Therefore. with all proper courtesy and
! fairness, let us
Test the Testimony
of DR.. Stuart MCGUIRE witness against the
adoption of Statewide prohibition in Virginia
DIR. Mcclure begins his declaration with some
sweeping statements. He says:
II 4 believed that Statewide prohibition would
prob rbit, then / would be for prohibition Ii l
believed that Statewide prohibition would d.
minish drunkenness and crime. or would IN
crease the prosperity. peace and happiness OF
this state. than would be for prohtbltion; out
study and observation Of prohibition IN opera
lion in other States has convinced me that 1t
does no good and on the contrary is a teurce OF
great harm.
Here Dr. Mcclure presents himself as an ex.
pert witness who has made study and observa-
ton of prohibition in operation in other States,
and he gives it as his expert testimony that pro-
hibition does no good and on the contrary is a
source of great harm" The writer gives to DR..
Mcclure full credit for entire sincerity In his
statement bur absolutely rejects those state
ments as accurate testimony because they
contrary to the facts as they have been observed
and recorded by other observers who have made
such work a matter of careful study and have
specialized therein,
Testimony Surgeon.
The Importance of Dr. McGuire's testimony
on this subject arises from the fact that ne Is
unusually fine surgeon, and his testimony is be-
ing quoted throughout the State as the testimony
Of a surgeon who is competent to speak concern
ing the physical effects of alcohol, DR.. McGures
testimony this point is follows:
am opposed to prohibition for physical rea-
sons Wine, beer and whiskey not, in them
selves. bad. THEIR MODERATE AND IT,
DlCIOUS I SE is OFTEN BENEFICIAL cap
plause) The demand for stimulant is uni
versal. In all ages and in all nations people
have used stmuants artificial means TO
/ AISE THE CONDITION OF THEIR PHYSI-
| CAL AND MENTAL ACTIVITY. The only
/ countries in the world where alcohol il not
employed are the yellow countries-Tur<ey, In
dia and Chna-and in those opium Is used as a
substitute. This tendency. this demand for a
stlmulant, is shown today in certain sections Of
/ the southern States where the negroes, unable
to secure alcohol. take to the use of opium.
/ caine and other more harmful poisons and IN
furious drugs Capitals Mine).
Did Or. Mcclure claim to be a scientist or
regular practitioner the statements above made
would destroy his reputation with scientists and
physicians. for no scientist of any note can be
placed on the witness stand to corroborate his
testimony. He declares that wine. beer and
~hisley are not in themselves bad Their
moderate and iudicia1 use is often heAeaeial
/ tApplause). The demand for a stimulant Is uni
versal." Let call some witnesses on this
point:
DIR. Mcclure Sir Frederick 7rreveS
i The noted physician of King Edward VII, sir
/ Frederick Treves. testihes that ALCOHOL is
I DISTINCTLY A POISON AND THE LIMITA-
i TON or IT'S Use SHOULD BE AS STRICT
( IS THAT OF ANY OTHER KIND OF POISON
lit is NOT AN APPETIZER, AND EVEN IN
I SMALL QUANTITIES 1T HINDERs DIGEs-
/ TION"
Certainly this witness directly contradicts DR..
Mcclure, and this witness is not simply sur
eeon. he is one OF the greatest physicians of
England. His testimony is that wine beer and
whskey' are bad in themselves they are poisons
and even in small quantities hinder digestion.
How can they be beneficial, therefore as DR. Nc
IGuire testifes? These two witnesses do not
agree
pr. Mcclure Professor C7httenden. OF Yale
i University
4 Professor Chittenden is one Of the greatest
4 physiological chemists in America He says
Alcohol presents dangerous side wholly want
ing in carbo- hydrates and fats The latter are
! simply burned up to carhonic acid and water
or are transformed into glycogen o. fat but al
cohol, though more easily burned. is at all times
!t2hie to 2hstruct in some measure at least the
nNdauHe processes of the liver ard probably
other processes too. thereby throwing into crcu
ia'lon bodies, such uric acid which are
inimical TO health; fact that at once tends to
draw distinct line of demarkation between al
1ohol and the too nom heterogeneous foods"
: According to this celebrated scientist, alcohol
even in small amounts seriously interferes with
the other bodily processes. 1t so interferes with
the liver that 1t cannot perform its duties ac-
} eeptably. How alcohol he beneficial. there
fore, as DR.. Mcclure has asserted These two
witnesses do not agree
DIR. Mcclure Professor Nepdel of vale
University.
Professor Mendel testfes as follows. "A1coboI
Is a heart depressant; 1t lowers ones resistance
| to contagious disease" This testimony h,, pro.
fessor Mendel is reinforced bv The tas,;nor,