Page:George Archdall Reid 1896 The present evolution of man.djvu/328

316 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 considerable, 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 1½ oz. (Parkes), or even 2oz. (Anstie), there can be no doubt whatever that excess is far more common than moderation, and the inevitable consequences 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 Registrar-General's 39th Annual Report, the late Dr. Farr gave the following table—