DOCTORS AND DRINK.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 391, 30 August 1911, Page 5

DOCTORS AND DRINK.

(Published by Arrangement.)

DECLARATION OF MEDICAL MEN. By Rev. A. Armstrong. To all interested in the progress of scientific research, there can be nothing so wonderfully arresting, as the rapid develoment of hygienic knowledge, within recent years and the almost universal change of opinion and attitude which has come over the modern medical profession, towards the imbibing of alcoholic liquors. The'men who stand highest in the medical and surgical world to-day, are undoubtedly the most outspoken and inveterate enemies of strong drink and are by their forceful pronouncements, regarding the effects of alcohol on the human body speedily infusing a new spirit into medical practice throughout the world.

Not only do these physicians privately advocate the principles of total abstinence, as in the best interests of the race, but from time to time they have united their forces and publicly subscribed to "manifests" strongly condemning those drinking customs, which stand openly indicted as the "nation's greatest peril." In these medical deliverances there is very interesting food for thought, and the striking exhibition of the rapid and wonderful growth among doctors of temperance sentiment based on scientific facts.

The year 1847 was remarkable for the following declaration of opinion by upwards of 22,000 medical men of the United Kingdom and India, many of them being of the highest distinction in the profession :

"I.—That a very large portion oil human misery,, including poverty, disease and crime, is induced by use of alcoholic and fermented liquors as beverages.

"2.—That the most perfect health is compatible with total abstinence from all intoxicating beverages, whether in the form of ardent spirits or as wine, beer, ale, porter, cider, etc.

"3. —That persons accustomed to such drinks may with perfect safetydiscontinue them entirely, either at once or gradually after a short time. "4. —That total and universal abstinence from alcoholic beverages of all sorts would greatly contribute to the health, the prosperity. the morality and the happiness of the human race."

As early as 1839 the following declaration was made public, having appended to it the signatures _of seventy-eight men who occupied high positions as scientists: — "An opinion handed down from rude and ignorant times and imbibed by Englishmen from their youth has became very general, that the habitual use of some poition of alcoholic drink, as of wine, beer, or spirits is beneficial to health and even, .necessary, to those who are subjected to habitual labour.''

"Anatomy, physiology and the experience of all ages and- countries, when properly examined, must satisfy every mind well informed .in medical science that the above opinion is altogether erroneous." . At the International Medical Congress .in Washington, U'.S.A.,lSß7,tbe following statement was.subscribed to by the President of the Congress'and seventy-seven other members, including distinguished physicians from foreign countries: —

"In view of the alarming prevalence and ill-effects of intemperance, which have called forth from eminent physicians the world over, the voice of warning, we declare that we believe that the use of alcoholic liquor as a beverage is productive of a large amount of physical disease; that entails diseased appetites upon offspring, and that it is the cause of a large percentage of the crime and pauperism of our cities and country." At the close of the year ISTI,. a medical temperance memorial was published appended being 269 signatures of eminent physcians and surgeons, while in 1902 there was a similar "manifesto" published. More recently in the year 1904, a committee of medical men drafted the following Detition, which was subsequently signed by 14,718 registered medical practitioners and presented on July 11th, 1904, by a most influential medical deputation to the President of the British Board of Education:

The petitioners urged the central education authorities of the United Kingdom to consider whether it would not be possible to include in the curricula of public schools such teaching as may lead all the children to appreciate at their true value healthful bodily conditions as regards cleanliness, pure air, food, drink, etc. That the teaching be a compulsory subject, and given at much earlier age than at present. After calling attention to what is being achieved in this direction by English-speaking nations especially in regard to the nature and effects of alcohol in the army school and in some of the principal colonies, the petitioners state that a widespread ignorance revails concerning, not only the nature and properties of alcohol, but also its effects on the body and mind. They therefore urged the central education authorities to include in the hygienic teaching desired, instruction at an early age on the nature and effects of alcohol. They also urged the necessity of ensuring that the training of all teachers shall include adequate instruction in the subjects. In July, 1907, at the British Congress on Tuberculosis for the prevention of consumption, convened by the late King Edward in London, Dr P. Brouardel, a great French physician, said:—"Alcoholism is, in fact, the most powerful factor in the propagation of tuberculosis.

Thus the evidence of the most up to ate and seentilfic experts of Ihe medical world to-day, not only sanctions and supports, but most wonderfully stimulates and strengthens the efforts of all engaged in the great movement for national temperance reform.