NO-LICENSE CAMPAIGN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 440, 3 November 1908, Page 3

NO-LICENSE CAMPAIGN.

[Published by Arrangement.] ALCOHOL—A POISON.

Our most eminent physicians pronounce alcohol a. poison ; a gill of pure alcohol would kill a man as quickly as a bullet through his brain, and all intoxicating drinks contain this poison, as the following table shows: —

Per Per Cent. Cent. Small beer ito 3 Whisky ... 40 Cider ... 5 Brandy ... 50

Wine ... 7to 20 Proof spirits 50 Ale ... 10 to 20 Rum 50 THE MODERATE DRINKER.

It is a well known fact that most of the leading life insurance companies have adopted the policy of giving more favourable terms to total abstainers than to moderate drinkers. Would these companies take this remarkable course unless they had ascertained, beyond all doubt, that total abstinence conduces to longevity ? How will the liquor man get round this awkward fact ? The Sceptre Life Association of London, recently issued a return for 20 years mortality experience of assured lives. It is as follows :

Expt’d Actual Per Deaths Deaths Cent, Abstainers 1440 792 55.

Non-abstainers 2370 1880 79.32 The reader will see from the above that total abstainers averaged 24.32 per cent, more years ot life in excess of the non-abstainers. Still more astounding are the figures furnished by the report of the Royal Commssiou which recently studied in England the causes of the alleged physical deterioration of the race. In paragraph 168 of this report will be found the following statement: Of 61,214 average men between 25 and 65 years, 1000 die per year.

Of 61,215 publicans between 25 and 65 years, 1642 die per year. Of 61,215 total abstainers between 25 and 65 years, 560 die per year.

Of 100,000 average persons of 30 years some 44,000 would live to 70 years.

Of 100,000 abstainers of 30 years some 55,000 would live to 70 years (or 25 per cent, more than the number of average persons). The figures quoted above, prove beyond all doubt that for every four years of life that falls to the lot ot the average man, no fewer than five years are enjoyed by the total abstainer.

Sir Victor Horsley, Professor of Surgery at the London University College says : “Alcohol is of no service as a food, and of very doubtful service as a drug. Its value as a drug has been enormously overestimated. The medical profession is using it less and less because they appreciate it now at its true value. It is a potent cause of disease and crime, poverty and death.”

Sir James Paget, the eminent surgeon, says: —“Of all persons I surgically dread, it is the secret drinker.