HIGH SCHOOL, PALMERSTON N.

White Ribbon, Volume 21, Issue 248, 18 February 1916, Page 5

HIGH SCHOOL, PALMERSTON N.

PRIZE ESSAY. FORM IV. Sir Michael Foster says: “If we could take away from the world all the ill-health, the wretchedness, and the crime brought about by taking too much alcohol, how mu< h happier, wealthier, and brighter the world would be.” It has been proved that in time of war drink is one of the most dangerous enemies the nations have to fear. Soldiers on the march, and those undergoing physical training should abstain from drinking too much beer, wine, or spirits. These beverages contain a dangerous substance* known .is alcohol, which is as much a poison .is strychnine is. Drinks such as milk and cocoa are foods, which help to build up the tissue's of the body. Alcohol tends to stunt its growth. Milk and cocoa give warmth and strength to the body, besides beirg flesh-forming foods, while alcoholic beverages are of no use whatever as flesh-formers, but only tend to wear away the tissue's. As soon as a glass of beer is taken, the drinker at once has a strong desire for more. Alcoholic drinks are not able to quench the thirst as water is, and when the first glass is taken, there is always a danger that the desire may become irresistible. Too much alcohol very often renders a person ’iable to diseases such as consumption, inflammation of the lungs, cancer, and brain disease. People who take- alcohol in excess have never been known to lead long and healthy lives. The white corpuscles of the blood become less able* to do their work, and thus the germs of disease find a much easier entry into the body. All the money spent on beer, wine and spirits is only money wasted, for the small amount spent on a glass of beer would buy bread containing heatgiving and flesh-forming food. Many authorities have stated that a large percentage of criminality is caused by too much drink. Drunkenness is also the cause of a large number cf accidents. It brings about much poverty and distress in homes, and affects not only the drinker and his family, but the State as well. Alcohol lessens the capacity for work, and as a result the prosperity of the nation is hindered.