When Doctors Differ

Feilding Star, Volume XIV, Issue 40, 20 September 1892, Page 4

When Doctors Differ

The vexed question oi alcoholism is (says a scientific paper) as fiercely disputed to-day as ever, not alone by laymen, but it is one of those matters over which even doctors differ. One day we hear of some eminent practitioner having emptied a magnificent cellar of wine into the sewers, and the next day comes an appeal from the local hospital for a fund to provide wine as nourishment for the patients. It is not at all surprising: that the public mind is a little unsettled as to the merits of the question when the opinions of the different authorities are so conflicting. We only refer to the matter here because of a most interesting canvas tiiat has been made among the physicians of New York. Every practitioner was asked to reply to the question, "Is the moderate use of wine and beer injurious to the health of grown persons?" There are 2900 physicians practising in New York city, and out of these only 675 replied. The answers are described under the following heads: — Negative 435 semi-negative 88, affirmative 152 — that is, the largest number do not believe that the moderate use of wine and beer is injurious to the health of grown persons. There is every variety of opinion and every qualification of opinion expressed. Thus one gentleman thinks that no alcohol should be allowed under any circumstances, except on the advice of at least two physicians. The same! gentleman adds : — " I would not ari-j vise with any physician that I knew was in the habit of drinking wine or beer habitually." On the other hand aphysician nearly 80 years of age has taken wine from his childhood, and sa y S : _<* I was well acquainted in Hungary with a physician 106 years old, who J was able to visit patients and give a very good lecture on materia medica. He drank wine twice daily, Boz at each time, and I have heard him say many times that without wine he would not live a minute." These opinions, diametrically opposite, are quite velueless. Men will continue the habit that suits them best until something more accordant is laid down.