IS DRINK RESPONSIBLE?

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 406, 18 May 1929, Page 11

IS DRINK RESPONSIBLE?

That there is an intimate connection between drink and sexual vice has been recognised by all who have made a serious study of either of these evils. The percentage of drunkards who are Afflicted by venereal disease is very high, while investigations conducted among sufferers from venereal disease have indicated that the percentage of those who have been addicted to heavy

d. inking is much higher than the percentage of heavy drinkers in the genenil community. That alcohol is directly responsible for inflaming the passions and breaking down the inhibitions of the will, so as to lead to immorality and consequent exposure to disease, has been proven alike by the testimony of victims ano the declarations of physician-scientists. In a book recently published by the Student Christian Movement of Great Britain, the Rev. Dr. A. Herbert Gra> treats this subject in the following impressive words: “It is not too much to say that until we have grappled with the drink evil in our midst w*e can not possibly hope to master this greater evil, sexual immorality, which follows on the heels of intemperance. This one consideration alone would make me an enthusiastic Prohibitionist We have tried life oi» its present terms, and it has beaten us. We have allowed the common sale of a drug that is the proved enemy of our best life. It has damaged us physically. Industrially and financially. But its most deadly damage has been done «n connection with our sexual life. I do not but think that if the deadly and intimate connection existing between drink and sexual vice were realised, the a ill to effective (temperance) reform might appear among us.