Health and Temperance

International Tract and Missionary Society · Oakland, California · Jul 29, 1889

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 15, No. 29.

Health and Temperance.

DRUNKENNESS IN BELGIUM.

According to a recent Parliamentary report drawn up by the Prince Rubemfrè, drunkenness is seizing with a terrible grip the working population of Belgium. Belgium is only surpassed by Bavaria in the consumption of beer, 240 litres a year being credited to each inhabitant; while Russia and Denmark alone surpass Belgium in the consumption of spirits, the average in Belgium being 13 litres a year per inhabitant, or about 50 litres per adult. Dr. Petithan stated at Leige in 1886 that there were 100,000 persons in Belgium who drank half a litre of gin a day, and no less than 50,000 who drink a whole litre. [A litre is about one quart.] Such infatuation seems scarcely credible in civilized countries; but alas! civilization is not at all inconsistent with folly. The number of public houses is very large. The outlook is very bad for Belgium if the State can do nothing to check this degrading vice. But we are not in a position to throw stones.—London Lancet, January, 1889.