THE DRINK PROBLEM 183 



alcohol is taken in large quantity a tremendous activity and 

 concentration of degenerative forces begin. 



Alcohol, of all drugs, seems most to intensify and pro- 

 voke disease, and to afford the most favorable conditions for 

 the destruction of cell and nerve tissue. The incline to acute 

 disease and final death which follows the use of spirits is sharp, 

 and the rush downward is rapid and deceptive. The history 

 of a large number of these cases points to the same symptoms, 

 the same progress, direction, and termination. 



Like a river springing from certain sources and moving 

 on down, diverted here and there by rocks, mountains, banks, 

 and islands, so this drink stream changes and winds about, 

 but always passes the same sections with the same course, 

 and alwaj'S reaches the same ocean. It is a startling fact that 

 inebriates are literally a new army of the insane, which have 

 sprung up and camped all along the frontiers of modern civil- 

 ization. 



One of the most unaccountable facts of this drink army 

 and problem, notwithstanding all the agitation of means 

 and methods for relief, is the saloon, its support and defense 

 by the public. Every where, for the mere formality of a 

 license, saloons are permitted and encouraged for the sale of 

 spirits, under the most attractive conditions and surroundings. 

 Art, luxury, comfort, and elegance combine to make these 

 places attractive resorts; mirrors, flashing glass ornaments, 

 colored liquids, pungent odors, are arranged to create thirst 

 and stimulate the sense of taste. 



Thus the senses are appealed to in the most powerful 

 way to use alcohol in all forms. As a result, the saloon has 

 become a terrible power over the minds and conduct of a vast 

 number of weak, defective persons, whose mental and physical 

 health it breaks up and destroys. Nothing can be more 

 certain than this fact. In every community, under all pos- 

 sible circumstances, the saloon is destructive, antagonizing 

 every effort to struggle from the lower to the higher, and every 

 law of growth and development. Why should the saloon be 

 tolerated a moment in any intelligent community? When- 

 ever the dangers from the use of alcohol are even partially 

 reaUzed, why should not the saloon be the first object of at- 



