Page:Alcohol, a Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine.djvu/163

Rh warnings against alcohol were upon the walls. Among these was a large poster of white cloth on which was printed the opinions on alcohol, in brief, of some of the best-known authorities on consumption. The opinions as given on that poster are given here, with others, in order to show the great change of sentiment regarding alcohol and consumption which has come about within a few years:— "Alcohol has never cured and never will cure tuberculosis. It will either prevent or retard recovery. It is like a two-edged weapon; on one side it poisons the system, and on the other it ruins the stomach and thus prevents this organ from properly digesting the necessary food."—, M. D., New York, Honorary Vice-President of the British Congress on Tuberculosis.

Dr. Knopf in his prize essay on "Tuberculosis and How to Combat It," says in several places: "Avoid all alcoholic beverages." He says also, "Alcohol should never be given to children even in the smallest quantities."

"It is a recognized fact in the medical profession that the habitual use of alcoholic drinks predisposes to tubercular infection. It is also recognized, I think, by most physicians that alcohol as a medicine is harmful to the tubercular invalid."—, M. D., Chicago, 111., Former President American Medical Association.

"Alcoholic liquors are of damage to consumptives because they tend to impair nutrition, disturb the action of the stomach, and give a false strength to the invalid on which he is sure to presume. Besides, we know that in countries where drinking prevails most, the ravages of tuberculosis are most marked."—, M. D., Adirondacks Sanitarium for Consumptives, Saranac Lake, N. Y.

"In my judgment whisky should not be used by people who have consumption, and in my practice I prohibit its use absolutely. At the White Haven Sanitarium and Henry Phipps