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County borough
of West ham.
PHYSICAL DETERIORATION AND ALCOHOLISM.
The Report of the Committee, presented to Parliament by command of His
Majesty, states that—
The abuse of alcoholic stimulants is a most potent and deadly agent of
physical deterioration.
Alcoholic persons are specially liable to tuberculosis and all inflammatory
disorders.
Evidence was placed before the Committee showing that in abstinence is to be
sought the source of muscular vigour and activity.
The lunacy figures show a large and increasing number of admissions of both
sexes which are due to drink.
The following facts recognized by the Medical Profession are published in order
to carry out the recommendation of the Committee, and to bring home to men and
women the fatal effects of alcohol on physical efficiency:—
a. Alcoholism is a chronic POISONING, resulting from the habitual
abuse of alcohol (whether as spirits, wine or beer), which may never go as
far as drunkenness.
b. It is a mistake to say that stimulants are necessary for those doing
hard work : this can usually be done better without alcohol.
c. Alcohol is really a narcotic, dulling the nerves like laudanum or
opium. 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.
d. For persons in ordinary health the practice of drinking even the
milder alcoholic drinks apart from meals is most injurious.
e. The habit of drinking to excess leads to THE RUIN OF
FAMILIES, the neglect of social duties, disgust for work, misery, theft and
crime. It leads also to the hospital, for alcohol produces the most various
and the most fatal diseases, including paralysis, insanity, diseases of the
stomach and liver, and dropsy. It also paves the way to consumption. It
complicates and aggravates all acute diseases; typhoid fever, pneumonia
and erysipelas are much more fatal in the subject of alcoholism.
f. THE SINS OF PARENTS who have drunk to excess are visited
on the children.
g. In short, alcoholism is THE MOST TERRIBLE ENEMY to
personal health, to family happiness, and to national prosperity.
Published by Order of the Council,
Alexander Bothwell, Fred : E. Hilleart, Chas. Sanders,
Mayor. Town Clerk. Medical Officer of Health.
Town Hall, West Ham,
November, 1905.