Alcoholism Injurious to Health
So serious have become the evils resulting from the use of alcohol by the people of France that the physicians and surgeons of the hospitals have issued a public warning, which is placarded over the country, in the hope that it may help to reduce the evils of alcoholism. This placard is distributed by the public powers, and posted conspicuously in the public hospitals. It reads as follows:— “The majority of maladies treated in the hospitals are caused, or aggravated, by the abuse, and even by the simple use, of liquids containing alcohol; all of these liquids, however denominated, are dangerous. We direct special attention to the so-called aperitifs, such as absinthe and bitters. “The brandies and liquors are also very destructive, and, likewise, wine in large quantities. More than one liter per day of wine represents a dangerous quantity. Taken before eating, the liquids depress the appetite, whatever advertisers may say to the contrary; they burn the stomach, the liver, and the arteries. After eating, alcohol, in whatever form served, troubles the digestion, and at the end of some time it is impossible to do without drinking, and from this moment the victim is alcoholic. “It is possible to become alcoholic in drinking regularly the liquids indicated above, and that also without entering into a state of intoxication. “The working classes labor under the greatest error in believing that alcohol gives strength. Those who are addicted to its use realize merely an artificial excitement, which lasts but a short time, and leaves them more fatigued than before. They then desire to cure this fatigue in again consuming alcohol, and they thus become alcoholic. “Alcoholics become insane easily, and are liable to very painful forms of paralysis. We often treat working men who have been very robust, and who have become rapidly consumptive because they have regularly taken before each meal their aperitifs. “The children of alcoholic parents are almost always badly formed, weak-minded, insane, scrofulous, or epileptic. They die often in convulsions. “Criminals are in large part alcoholics or the children of alcoholics.” France was at one time considered the most sober nation of Europe. It is now the most drunken. This is due to the efforts made to popularize the use of wines, especially the so-called light wines. The habit of wine drinking has become so strong that the people feel unable to do without some alcoholic drink, and whenever for any reason the price of wine is advanced, the people resort to the so-called aperitifs. The cheapness of these destructive drinks has increased their use, and the habit once formed is rarely broken. Efforts are being made by American brewers, distillers, and dealers in alcoholic drinks to increase their sale and consumption in this country. It is deeply to be regretted that many influential14papers going into the homes of the people are lending their aid to this effort by publishing advertisements of wines, beer, and whisky. There has been during the past two years a special effort made by dealers in whisky to increase the sale of certain brands by advertising, and their advertisements appear in only the better class of daily and weekly papers. These drinks are, therefore, virtually thrust before the eyes of young people as well as of the more mature in all homes. Dealers are also advertising their goods by circulars as never before in this country.—Northwestern Christian Advocate.