Temperance and teetotalism : an inquiry into the effects of alcoholic drinks on the human system in health and disease.

  • Carpenter, William Benjamin, 1813-1885.
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Temperance and teetotalism : an inquiry into the effects of alcoholic drinks on the human system in health and disease. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The Royal College of Surgeons of England. The original may be consulted at The Royal College of Surgeons of England.

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    from tlieir use. The cases in which the contrary result has been ap- parent have been set down as idiosyncrasies, which can afford no rule for general guidance ; and those who have ventured to oppose the public dictum on this subject have been usually considered at the best as amiable enthusiasts, whose principles, though true as regarded themselves, are not at all adapted for popular practice. But without the guidance of science, and against rather than with the authority of doctors, the people have begun to find out for themselves that those well-meaning but impracticable enthusiasts really spoke the truth; and that what has been commonly regarded as universal experience on this matter is nothing better than “ a mockery, a delusion, and a snare,” having no better foundation than the notion which prevailed until the beginning of the last century, that foul air was beneficial to the sick. The following is a brief sketch of the origin and progress of the great Temperance Movement. Association for the purpose of promoting temperance was first conceived and put into execution in the United States of North America, where the inhabitants are far advanced in the knowledge that “ union is power,” and in the practical skill necessary for applying coalition to a variety of purposes both political and philanthropical. Combinations against drunkenness have existed in America from a very early period. At first they merely insisted on general moderation in the use of strong drinks. Afterwards their rules and regulations became more stringent; and abstinence from ardent spirits at least formed part of the confederate agreement and pledge. About 1815 or 1820, regular societies were formed on this basis in America, and began to extend themselves widely. The method of ab- stinence from everything intoxicating was at a later period introduced there from Great Britain. Early in the year 1828 Mr. John Dunlop (a name worthy to be placed by that of Father Mathew, among the benefactors of mankind) began to agitate the subject in Scotland, and took various plans of doing so; such as collecting statistics and proofs of national intemperance; demonstrating the good effects which had followed association against inebriation in America; exposing the evils of the system of compulsory drinking, an usage peculiar to this country ; also by travelling about and conversing with in- fluential individuals and philanthropists throughout the country; writing in newspapers, composing and disseminating tracts, lecturing publicly in large towns, &c. Notwithstanding Mr. Dunlop’s enthusiastic and ener- getic proceedings, he did not succeed in. gaining any regular disciples to the cause till about the latter end of 1829 and beginning of 1830, at which period the Greenock, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Dundee, Paisley, and other societies were instituted in Scotland; the Bradford Society in Yorkshire, by Mr. Forbes; and the Old British and Foreign Temperance Society in London, by Mr. Collins of Glasgow. Mr. Dunlop had pro- posed that all wines should be abandoned as well as spirits, but only partially succeeded in that point. In the summer of 1829 Dr. Edgar of Belfast, without knowledge of Mr. Dunlop’s proceedings, set on foot the Irish temperance movement, assisted by Mr. George Carr; and it is believed that the first European temperance society was established by the latter at New Ross about June or July 1829 ; Mr. Dunlop’s first societies not having been established till