316 THE PRESENT EVOLUTION OF MAN — MENTAL 



The figures referring to the abstainers are evidently 

 fallacious, partly because the number (122) is too small 

 to furnish an average result, and considerably below 

 (28 per 1000) the average number of abstainers among 

 the adult population, and partly because the average 

 age of the living population (abstainers) is not given, 

 but is certainly a good deal lower than the average age 

 of non-abstainers. 



"75. But the other returns indicate very clearly 

 that the effect of alcohol in shortening life is very con- 

 siderable, and in proportion to the quantity taken. 

 Drunkards lose on the average about ten years of life 

 as compared with strictly temperate men. These 

 returns also show that about 15 per cent, of these 

 adult males were habitual drunkards, and 15 per 

 cent, more were decidedly intemperate, making 30 

 per cent, altogether. This would indicate the number 

 of intemperate males in the United Kingdom as about 

 2,000,000, or a little over ten to each public-house. 

 This estimate may seem high, and cannot pretend to 

 be exact. But if the physiological limit of alcohol per 

 diem be placed at IJ oz. (Parkes), or even 2oz. (Anstie), 

 there can be no doubt whatever that excess is far more 

 common than moderation, and the inevitable conse- 

 quences follow. 



" 76. If any further evidence is needful, it can be 

 found in the increased mortality of licensed grocers 

 after the passing of the Act of Parliament in 1860, by 

 which they were allowed to sell wines and spirits, thus 

 getting increased facility for obtaining drink. In the 

 Appendix to the Kegistrar-General's 39th Annual 

 Report, the late Dr. Farr gave the following table — 



MOETALITY PER CENT. OF GROCERS. 



Ages, 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 and 



Years, upwards 



1860-61 -531 -840 "923 1-280 2-053 4-334 12-488 



1871 -592 1-115 1-021 1-466 2-567 5-461 13-442 



Excess in 

 1871 -061 -275 -098 -18(5 -514 1-127 -954 



