Moderation v. Total Abstinence.

Ashburton Guardian, Issue 6703, 21 October 1905, Page 2

Moderation v. Total Abstinence.

Much discussion has taken place on the question whether the total abstainer or the drinker will attain the greater age. To live long and live happy is the aim of most men, and taking all things in moderation is moat conducive to that &ud. Extremists in all matters are to. be avoided. Whether it is the total abstainer or the drunkard length of days proportionately ia not their portion; the longest liver is the moderate man. According to the " Lancet " the British Medical Association appointed a Committee to make enquiries, in order to ascertain the average of (he different | categories of drinkers, that is to say, those ■ who refrain complately from alcoholic drink, those who indulge more or less in moderation, and those who drink to excess. This Committee has just handed in its report. Its conclusions are drawn from 4234 death?, which are divided into five categories of individuals,, into which all communities may be divided, and the average a,ges of the individuals of their respective categories are published as follows :— ■ Xears. 3?*ys. 1. Habitually temperate drinkers ... 63 t 13 2. Careless drinkers ... 59 67 3. Free drinkers ... 57 59 4. Decidedly intemperate drinker 3 ... 51 30 5. Total abstainers .. 51 32 Thiß report, published by so high an authority, and emanating from so distinguished a source, amply demonstrates that temperate or moderate men are the lontjpst and best livers, and that the druukard and total abstainers are alike intomperate. 10 270