DRINK AND THE DEATH RATE.

Feilding Star, Volume XVI, Issue 216, 13 March 1895, Page 2

DRINK AND THE DEATH RATE.

TO THE EDITOR 01' THE STAU. Sik, — In your Saturday's issue there appeared au extract from a report presented to the British Medical Association dealing with the average age of the different categories of drinkers. The report pointed out that those who live longest are those who drink in moderation, next come those who drink to excess, while those who live the shortest lives are those who drink no alcohol whatever. You did well, sir, to print this under the heading "An Eye Opener." Such indeed it must have been to many of the leading members of the above Association, who have repeatedly declared to the contrary. Not many years ago two hundred and sixtynine medical men; including such names as Sir J. Clarke, Sir A. Munro, Dr Carpenter, etc., signed a manifesto, published in the London Times, affirming " that even in the most moderate doses alcoholic drinks would sooner or later prove injurious to the human constitution, without any exception." As to the relative healthfulness of abstainers and non-abstainers, take the following, afforded by the United Kingdom Mutual Life Insurance Society : — Out of 2644 expected claims in the Temperance section there were only 1861 — a little over 70 per cent. Out of 4408 in the General section there were 4339— a little over 96 per cent. Thus the man who does not drink has 26 per cent better chance of life than the man who drinks. In a paper on " The value of life being increased by taking no intoxicating drinks," read before ttie British Association for the advancement of science, it was stated that in the year 1883, the Sceptre Life Association had only fifty-one deaths reported, and only seven of them total abstainers, whereas to be equal with non -abstainers there j should have been nineteen. If the use : of alcoholic liquors assures greater longevity, how is it that so many of our Life Assurance Offices absolutely refuse to insure the life of a publican upon any terms whatever ? Because, where one workman dies, two publicans die. Can you account for that in any way ? The publican, on the whole, has an easier life, is better clothed, better fed, and exposed to less danger, but he is mixed up with alcoholic liquors, and that is the reason he dies sooner. Again, in other Offices the assumed superior lives of abstainers is recognised by a charge of 20 per cent less to teetotal than to moderate drinkers. Surely, if alcohol be the elixir vitte it is stated to be, our Life Insurance Companies must be sadly astray in their calculations. Is it likely ? Thanking you in anticipation, I am, etc., W. Dawsox. Feilding, March Hth, 1895.