THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXIII, Issue 13712, 1 April 1905, Page 13

THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL.

TO - THE EDITOR. Sir, —In reading the lecture on the effects of alcohol delivered by Mr Taylor at the City Hall we find him quoting medical experts. Now, seeing that the medical fraternity aro divided on this point, who have we got to believe? AVe all know that the Royal Family has a wine cellar containing every sort of strong drink. Their medical adviser, I presume, is one of Ilia best the world can produce. AVc have not heard of him denouncing the moderate pse of alcohol. Our late Queen Victoria was a moderate drinker, and lived, as wo all know, to a_ ripe old ago. Did the use of alcohol interfere with the functions of the cells and tissues of the body in this case? Did the same thing apply to our late Pope, who always had wines in the Vatican* which were recommended by his medical adviser? Dr Reid, of America, states that teetotallers make more drunkards to redeem. Wherever they succeed in securing coercive legislation against alcohol they swell the tide of inebriety. Among the southern nations of the world, where alcohol is found as one of the everyday beverages of the people, excessive drinking and consequent drunkenness are reduced to a minimum. London, Chicago and New York, which are without prohibition, have respectively only 7. 13 and 23 drunkards per 1000, while Portland, Maine, the classic prohibition State, has 42 per 1000.—I am. etc.. MODERATE.