THE HEAVIEST DRINKING MONTHS.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 4339, 29 April 1896, Page 6

THE HEAVIEST DRINKING MONTHS.

When do tipplers drink most? From some figures worked out by Dr Gillespie, registrar of the Edinburgh Royal Infirmary, concerning patients admitted with alcoholic symptoms, it would appear that the largest number of admissions occurred in January (143), the next largest in July, August being a little behind. The large number of cases in January is explained by the New Year drinking, while the explanation given of the numbers in July and August are the holidays and trips in these months. February, June, October, and November show the lowest figures in the admission of males. The majority of the females, on the other hand, were admitted from June to October, the early part of the year showing a decided minority. Some curious facts appear in Dr Gillespie's statement regarding the occupations of the drinkers. Of the 329 women, 169 were housewives, 33 laundresses, 21 charwomen, 20 shopgirls and seamstresses, 19 beggars, tramps, etc., 18 servants, 18 factory hands, and 10 were girls at home. Among the others five were barmaids and two teachers. Of the 935 males, 461 were of the laboring class, comprising— laborers 99, skilled laborers 172, trade laborers 161, factory workers 16, and railway employes 13, 119 were of the shopkeeping class, 108 were of the professional class, including 49 clerks, 84 belonging to the liquor trade, and 26 were beggars, tramps, etc. The months of January, April, and July were the months in which the laboring class generally were admitted.

A convict earns about tenpence a week while in penal servitude.