<f.6 Human Physiology. 



records of premature mortality by this horrible drunken 

 infanticide. 



The consumption of intoxicants is increasing on the Con- 

 tinent, as well as in England. Formerly the French drank 

 only their light wines, and intoxication was very rare. Now 

 they drink twenty times as much spirits as they did a century 

 ago, and the consumption of tobacco is very large. It is no 

 longer a rare thing to see a drunken Frenchman, and the 

 nation has shown evident signs of demoralisation. 



There is now a strong movement in England for the better 

 regulation, or entire suppression, of the liquor traffic. I can- 

 not hope for the latter while great brewers are members of 

 Parliament and of the Government, nor while private houses 

 and the clubs of the aristocracy are furnished with liquors. 

 Law must be equal, or it cannot be enforced. The demand 

 must be stopped before the supply will cease ; and how people 

 may be induced to discontinue the common use of intoxicants 

 I shall discuss in a future chapter. That it may be done with 

 safety, is the testimony of most physicians. The following 

 statement has been signed by 1600: 



" We, the undersigned, are of opinion, 



" I. That a very large portion of human misery, including 

 poverty, disease, and crime, is induced by the use of alcoholic 

 or fermented liquors, as beverages. 



" II. That the most perfect health is compatible with total 

 abstinence from all such intoxicating beverages, whether in the 

 form of ardent spirits, or as wine, ale, porter, cider, &c., &c. 



" III. That persons accustomed to such drinks, may, with 

 perfect safety, discontinue them entirely, either at once, or 

 gradually after a short time. 



" IV. That total and universal abstinence from alcoholic 

 liquors and intoxicating beverages of all sorts, would greatly 

 contribute to the health, the prosperity, the morality, and the 

 happiness of the human race." 



