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94
PHYSICAL DETERIORATION AND ALCOHOL.
The Report of the Royal Commission on Physical Deterioration
having drawn attention to the serious manner in which indulgence in
alcohol is affecting the stamina of the race, the question as to whether
the example of some other of the Metropolitan Boroughs in issuing
warning placards on the subject should be followed was referred to the
Public Health Committee. After lengthy consideration it was decided
to recommend the Council to issue the following notice:—
BOROUGH OF HAMPSTEAD.
Physical Deterioration and Alcohol.
The report of the Committee, presented to Parliament by command
of His Majesty, emphasises the following facts:—
The abuse of alcoholic stimulants is a most potent and deadly agent
of physical deterioration.
If the mother as well as the father is given to drink the future of the
race is imperilled.
Abstinence from alcohol is conducive to full physical strength and
activity.
Alcoholic persons are specially liable to consumption and all inflammatory
diseases.
Alcohol is really a narcotic, and often its first effect is to weaken a
man's self-control while his passions are excited; hence the
number of crimes which occur under its influence, as well as
the spreading of vice and disease.
Lunacy figures show a large and increasing number of men and
women admitted to asylums through drink.
Alcoholism perverts the moral nature, affects the judgment, and
weakens the memory; it creates an enormous loss to the community
through destroying the productiveness of the worker.
This placard is issued by order of the Borough Council.
GEORGE BARHAM, Mayor.
Arthur P. Johnson, Town Clerk.
G. F. McCleary, m.d.,
Town Hall, Hampstead). Medical Officer of Health,
November, 1905,