THE DRINK PROBLEM 177 



this cause. Books, pamphlets, sermons, and tracts, almost 

 without number, are coming from the press constantly. A 

 literature that is sensational and aggressive is scattered in all 

 directions. 



With this increasing agitation, apparently, the sale of 

 spirits is increasing; and many persons are confident that in- 

 ebriety is also increasing. Statistics undoubtedly show that 

 the fatality, injury, and losses following the use of alcohol have 

 increased far bej^ond the growth of population. 



There is a deep psychological meaning in this which in- 

 dicates the movement of imknown laws and forces above the 

 confusion and roar of agitation. If we take a higher point of 

 view, this problem appears to be one of the great natural 

 ehminative processes in the evolutionary march of the race. 

 Here the armies of inebriates, the weak and defective, and 

 those who resort to alcohol, and are unable to adapt them- 

 selves to the changes of hfe and environment, are driven out as 

 unfit — separated and crowded out by the larger, stronger 

 types of the race. This view is sustained by the history and 

 appearance of the drink victims in every community. From 

 both inheritance and neglect, they bear physiological and 

 psychological marks of degeneration. Even those who deal 

 in spirits show the same signs and indications. 



It is an interesting inquiry where this army of inebriates 

 began; what point in the march have they reached at pres- 

 ent, in what direction is their movement, and what laws and 

 forces are controlling and shaping their course? 



The use of spirits can be traced back to the infancy of the 

 race and has ever been associated with its ignorance, weak- 

 ness, and disease. While it has followed the march of hu- 

 manity from the lower to the higher, from its infancy up 

 through all stages of growth and development, it has mani- 

 fested a peculiar movement of its o\\m. Thus, in some ages, 

 it has been very prominent, creating alarm and attracting 

 the attention of historians; then it has declined and been 

 unnoticed. Then it has come again into prominence and 

 disappeared as before. This very significant tide-hke move- 

 ment has extended over the drink history of centuries, and 

 has foilow:^d in some unknown way the great convulsions and 



Vol. 1»-12 



