South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1922-07-02
Death Toll From
Home Made Booze
Lou, M.D'S Think
Local Physicians Say COndi-
tons Here Different from
Other Communities.
BY CHARLEs VI. BUTTERMORTH

BY CHARLES VI 81 II Inv Oh III
Despite fewer imbibers there is
said 20 be more deaths from alcohol
ism now than prior 20 prohibition.
Although this statement has been
given considerable credence
throughout the country, owing, OF
course. 10 the poor substitutes for
good whisky. IL does not hold true
In South Bend
Local physicians and authorities
disagree with the statement. When
interviewed by a News-Times rep
resentative. physicians here agreed
that the liquor in use since prOhi-
bHion has a far more dangerous
effect than the spirits that have
that the percentage OF deaths by
alcoholism - now greater.
During the days OF swinging
doors" pretzels and safe and sane
drinking. as IL was then considered,
the doctors report that deaths by
alcoholism were far more numerous
although not nearly as sudden as
those caused from white mule.
wood alcohol and various perfumes
now in vogue.
Death Rate Lower?
According TO DR.. c. l.. Crum-
packer. county coroner, less than 10
percent as many people meet death
now by drink as did before vol
stead" DR.. Crumpacker. when in
terviewed. said
The statement is preposterous.
During the time Of saloons, when
drinking was permissible. city in
s-itutions, hospitals, etc, were
usually filed with drinkers affected
by excessive use of alcohol. Today.
although I agree that the liquor now
used is far more dangerous than be-
fore, not nearly so many are in the
hospitals as the result Of liquor. l
believe that there are less than 10
percent as many deaths now from
alcohol than in the East"
Statements made by Drs. W. II.
Hillman, F. p Eastman and other
successful physicians Of this city
are Of the same view point.
DR.. Hillman declared that II an
increased number Of victims caused
by excessive use Of alcohol had de-
veloped since the adoption of the
Volstead act. tn I he h d
been unaware of IT, I'm this
city. am sure the number
OF alcohol victims has decreased
to a marked degree since prohibition
became effective" DR.. Hillman said.
such a condition might prevail in
some Of the larger cities but I am
even doubtful of that. In my prac-
tice the number Of alcoholics seems
TO be decreasing rapidly"
Alcohol Poisonous.
Following is a statement on the
same situation made by DIR. East
man:
Il do not believe that the number
of alcoholics has increased since
the adoption Of the dry laws. Prior
10 prohibition there were numerous
/ cases of hardening of the liver
caused from the use of alcohol AL
cohol whether pure grain, or wood,
IS poisonous, but Of course wood
alcohol Is the more dangerous
Before prohibition deaths caused
by alcohol were prolongated be-
cause the liquor used at that time
contained no poison other than the
rure alcohol Victims of alcohol to-
hdg arc Hb4SOAAtAsf do a bfHtldA IuAct
| by wood alcohol which makes
death practically instantaneous. In
this city 1 doubt If the number of
alcoholics has increased but rather
believe that it has not"
/ Hard 10 Handle.
Although none Of the men inter-
viewed on the subject offered the
suggestion that local drinkers have
stronger constitutions than else
/ where this should be considered.
/ If people are dying in increased
numbers from the poor liquor on
/ the market, the idea should be
given consideration.
It's a certainty that the local peo-
4 pie are drinking the stuff Police
records vouch for that. At least ave
/ or six DRINKS are arrested in this
/ city each day ard police officers
state that DRINKS these days are
harder 20 handle than they were
when drinking genuine liquor.
| II II is true that In other cities
/ an increased number OF victims mas
/ been noticed. there is a possibility
I that Indiana distillers make a bet
ter brand OF moon" than is made
elsewhere. And judges of whisky"
good or bad. declare IL rotten"