ALCOHOL AND INFLUENZA

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 64, 10 December 1918, Page 6

ALCOHOL AND INFLUENZA

Sir,—lt is a Teraarkable fact that all over the world wherever this influenza has broken out, one of the specific remedies effectively applied has been alcohol. Even in America, where Prohibition reigns, - certificates for whisky in bond have had to be issued by the Government. A small paper, called the "Marietta Times," which I have, just Kceived from the United States, ss.ys: "Whisky is being used as medicine by the United States Health Department to cope with the Spanish influenza epidemic." Jlayor George Warren was notified by Sydney Peter, Prohibition Commissioner for the Stale of Virginia, "that SO <allons of whisky had been shipped to .Bristol to be used for the relief of influenza sufferers." We. have had no end of applications for whisky, and the Application of vhisky for the nuruose of allaying the ravages of this disease. Dr. Sharpe, of Auckland, pave his testimony as to the effectiveness of alcohol iu allayirs the epidemic in connection with the Niagara. The London "Times" of November' 1, in dealing with the influenza epidemic in England, said this: "Tho public would benefit by the modorate use of alcohol, port or burgundy," and the same paper advised its readers to drink half a bottle of wine or a glass of port for dinner as a preventative. The London "Times" ten davs afterwards, under tho heading of "Influenza and Food," quoted the advice <,f the Royal College of Physicians, v.hich runs as follows: "Each p?n.-nn will bo vise to rur.intain tho use of alcohol within the limits of moderation to the "stent of whatever [ hnbit has proved to be -post agreeable to his own health." Thousands upon thousands of people in tin's country have rscaped (he influenza epidemic by perhaps unknowingly nctiDT unon the advice of the Royal College of Phvsieians, and mnintaininir unaltered tho daily use of alcohol which has tiroved most, agreeable to their own health. Of conrsn. if people are 'neptical about the use of any drug or stimulant, that drug or stimulant will be to them of littlo value, but prejudice, iirnoranee, and hatred not to ho allowed to warp our judgment*: in nnlnit o'' now, effico or workroom.' as to t]i» beneficial ofiYefe; of alcoholic liquors either in ImiH-li nv dis-ease.-I am, etc., MODERATE.