Does inebriety conduce to longevity? / by Norman Kerr.

  • Kerr, Norman, 1834-1899.
Date:
1889
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Does inebriety conduce to longevity? / by Norman Kerr. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    DOES INEBRIETY CONDUCE TO LONGEVITY? From different parts of the United Kingdom, and from many countries I have been inundated by pressing requests to “ expose the falsity ” of such startling statements as the following, copied from one of many similar cards which in various languages, are reported to me to have attained an enormous circulation at the hands of persons interested in the manufacture and sale of in¬ toxicating drinks:— “Teetotalism Dangerous to Life. “The following table, taken from the Committee of the British Medical Association, in connection with their investiga¬ tion on Disease and Alcohol, appears to place the advocates of the pump in an unenviable position. Average Age at Death. Years. Days. A. Total Abstainers ..... 51 80 B. Decidedly Intemperate .... 52 14 C. Free Drinkers ...... 57 216 D. Careless Drinkers ..... 59 246 E. Habitually Temperate .... 62 50 From this it will be gathered that even the Habitual Drunkard has the advantage of the Blue Ribbonist by one year, and the temperate beats him by more than a decade.” The excellent people who have written to me, have nearly all declared their disbelief either that such an enquiry ever took