EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 121, 20 February 1928, Page 6

EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL

ACTION ON HUMAN ORGANISM. At a general meeting of the newlyformed Youth Movement Against Alcoholism, held on Thursday night, the principal speaker was Mr. J. M. Murray, whose topic was "Why Alcohol j s Attacked.” Tlte speaker stated that, in spite of the great increase in general knowledge with regard to alcohol, there were still large numbers of people who do not really know what alcohol in intoxicating beverages was. Ethylic alcohol was a poison, and it was this constituent that was in beer to the extent of approximately 5 per cent., in wine from 8 to 2-1 per cent., and in bottled spirits to the extent of 45 per cent. Referring to a recent cablegram, in which Sir W. Arbuthnot I.aito was reported to have claimed that "alcohol is an infinitely better food than meat,” Mr. Murray said: "If this is true., then a cocktail is actually a concentrated form of food. But Sir W. Arbuthnot I,ane is editor of "The Practitioner,’ a leading British medical journal, and from the editorial ehair he utters much more rational statements: He has said: Cocktail drinking must rank amongst the most reprehensible forms of alcoholic abuse. . . The old belief which excused a moderate indulgence—that cocktails created an appetite for food —is entirely erroneous. Their frequent consumption has a most serious effect on health, and the habit is one which should be condemned.’ It is to be feared that in alleging that alcohol is a bettor food than meat Sir W. Arbuthnot Pane rather recklessly delivered himself of a statement that would be nnplandod by liquor trade supporters of the so-called True Temperance Association, but would be roundly challenged bv the vast mamritv of scientists and medical men. If Sir Arbuthnot bane’s ill-advised utterance is true, then parents should give their growing children alcohol instead of meat, and public houses should replace the butchers’ shoos—a proposition that stands so Ifcondemned amongst intelligent people. It was reported that a verv gratifying increase in membership had boon recorded since the comntencmenl of the movement in September last, with thirtv-seyen foundation members. The membership roll for Wellington alone now numbered I°o. and it was expected to increase this number greatly. In addition it was reported than branches had been formed nt Wanganui. Now Plymouth. Eltham and Invercargill, whilst steps were well on the wav for founding branches in Dunedin, Auckland, and other centres.