THE TEMPERANCE FAILURE 157 



consumption of spirits, but with the odd accom- 

 paniment that in the city of Gothenburg itself 

 arrests for drunkenness increased from thirty-nine 

 per thousand of population in the years 1875-1879 

 to fifty-eight per thousand in 1898.^ 



The increase is not due to better policing, for, 

 in point of fact, the actual increase of drunkenness 

 is admitted on all hands, except by brewers and 

 hotel-keepers,^ who are interested in the sale of 

 beer.^ Of course, it would be absurd to attribute 

 an increase of drunkenness to decreased faculties 

 for procuring spirits. But, whatever the cause, it 

 is plain that, though the Gothenburg System has 

 prevented, to some extent, the drinking of spirits 

 by moderate men, it has not in the least restrained 

 excessive drinkers from drunkenness. The latter 

 have turned from spirits to beer and wine, thus 

 once more illustrating the fact that the strength of 

 the solutions used has no influence on sobriety. 



In Norway, also, there has been a considerable 

 increase of drunkenness in late years. Means have 

 been found to evade, not the law, but the object 

 for which the law was framed. Less spirits are 

 sold. Moderate men, perhaps, drink less alcohol 

 than formerly. Excessive drinkers drink more in 

 the form of wine and beer. 



' " The Temperance Problem and Social Reform,'' p. 461. 

 ' Op. cit, pp. 463-4. ^ Op. cit., pp. 495-8. 



