The Chief Justice on Drink.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 1051, 3 October 1911, Page 4

The Chief Justice on Drink.

During the course of a most interesting lecture on “Memory, what is it ?” given before the Manawatu Philosophical Society on August 31st last, Sir Robert Stout made reference to the effect of drink upon the constitution and career of children. He cited a case that came under his own observation.

Both parents were normal, healthy and good living people. Two children were born after the marriage, and in all respects were normal. Then the mother became unwell, and was directed to take port wine by her doctor. She became addicted to it and at times gave way to excess.

The next son born after this became a drunkard, got the D.T.’s, and died in an asylum. The next son also was a drunkard, he married a normal woman and their son too became a drunkard. The next son was also defective at his birth and lived only a fortnight We noticed that the press reports of the lecture carefully omitted this instance, cited by the Chief Justice. The only comment we have to make on the above case is that wines are as ruinous to the physical wellbeing of individuals as any other alcoholic beverages in proportion to the alcohol they contain. The above catastrophe took place on DOCTOR’S PORT WINE. BEWARE !