PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 127 
its manifestations in its tertiary forms are, as they become 
better recognised, admitted to exist in situations and in 
types never until recently suspected. I ‘feel certain that 
something must be done, and that shortly, to grapple with 
the dissemination of this disease. I do not wish to say 
more on the subject, because it can best be discussed in con- 
nection with a special contribution ; but I must assert that. 
to my mind, it is just as necessary that this evil should be 
well ventilated as any other hygienic infringement that can 
be mentioned. 
Another scourge to Society is Alcoholism. Now, how can 
this disease—for disease it is—be encountered’? By further 
enactments against the sale of intoxicants; by more parental 
legislation ; or by endeavouring to alter the perceptions and 
habits of the people? Weil, in my opinion, we have had 
enough of law in this respect. Those who want drink will 
have it, in spite of all the prohibitions that can be devised. 
If we cannot keep tobacco out of our gaols, I do not see how 
we can restrain a free people from alcohol; and it is, more- 
over, scarcely fair that all should be deprived for the sake 
of a few. Is it well, too, to further interfere with what 
is so glibly styled “ the liberty of the subject”? 
On this ground, then, I hold that the teetotaller stands 
in a firm and rational position. If, by further enactments, 
society could be benefited at the expense of the individual, 
Assemblies have a perfect right, and, in fact, should, pass 
such laws as will protect the community against the excesses 
of some of its members. even if it involved a loss of personal 
freedom ; and habitual drunkards should be regarded as a 
pest, liable to be removed and confined for a time in the 
same manner as a typhoid fever patient would be, if he were 
sickening in a public place. Consequently, for those who 
possess pecuniary means, I would advocate the establish- 
ment of inebriate institutions, and the legal retention of the 
drunkard until such time as expert medical advice considered 
his mental organisation restored. I often think that, by 
timely restraint, many valuable lives might be saved to the 
State; for the mebriate, except for this defect, is often a 
very valuable member of the body politic. Strong drinkers 
are frequently strong thinkers. I am sure we lose much 
by the wanton way in which we allow these men to destroy 
themselves. 
However, asylums of this kind are only suited, for obvious 
reasons, to those who have means. With the general body, 
such restraint has nothing to do. Among the labouring 
classes, the potations of the drunkard are limited, and, when 
