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(4) Spirits as usually taken rapidly produce alcoholism, but milder
alcoholic drinks as beer, and even cider, drunk repeatedly
every day produce after a time alcoholic poisoning with
equal certainty.
(5) The habit of drinking leads to disgust for work, the ruin of
families, the neglect of social duties, misery, theft and
crime. It leads also to the hospital, for alcohol produces
the most varied and the most fatal diseases, including
Paralysis, Insanity, diseases of the stomach and liver, and
Dropsy. It also paves the way to Consumption, and
frequenters of public houses furnish a large proportion of
the victims of this disease. It complicates and aggravates
all acute diseases; Typhoid Fever, Pneumonia and Erysipelas
are rapidly fatal in the subject of alcoholism.
(6) The sins of alcoholic parents are visited on the children ; if
these survive infancy they are threatened with Idiocy or
Epilepsy, and many are carried away by Tuberculous
Meningitis or Phthisis (Consumption).
(7) In short, alcoholism is the most terrible enemy to personal
health, to family happiness, and to national prosperity.
Remedy for Alcoholism.
Total abstinence from all alcohol.
The teaching of temperance in elementary schools.
The improvement of the home and its surroundings.
The provision of plenty of good and properly cooked food.
House and personal cleanliness.
Education of girls and young women in home management.
Physical training of young men.
Arthur W, Jephson, M.A., J.P., Mayor.
G. B. Millson, Medical Officer of Health."
Town Hall, Walworth Road.