The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 45

Influence and Effects of Social Drinking Usages Among Women

Influence and Effects of Social Drinking Usages Among Women.

Although it is quite impossible to give a statistical answer to the question as to the number of women in any community, actual or proportional, who use alcoholic drinks, the observation of those who have large acquaintance in society confirms the statement that women, and especially young women, in the higher as well as the lower circles, participate in the drinking usages. There are two observers of these facts whose united testimony we cannot doubt. The first is the frequenter of social circles and the companion of those who freely indulge in spirituous liquors. The uniform testimony of these witnesses is that ladies indulge in the use of whatever liquors are brought forth, and are often forward in their use. They describe to us midnight scenes made exciting, and sometimes revolting, by the total abandon of ladies in frivolous amusements. Nor has it escaped the observation and common remark of others that too frequently ladies exhibit that unusual excitement which arises only from artificial stimulation. Even tradesmen often detect the mental confusion of their customers from the ranks of fashionable society.

"We are sensible," says a writer in an English periodical, "of a distinct moral relaxation among women, and of a new sort of womanly recklessness in the presence of men. We complain of a prevalent coarseness, even among the virtuous, not only of manner, but of imagination and pursuits; and we are sometimes tempted to prefer the age of Nell Gwynne or Madame de Pompadour to the actual confusion of dare-devil women and unabashed spinsters." And the same writer adds suggestively: "It would seem that alcohol has something to do with this disorder, for the physical effects of it on women are proved by medical investigation to be precisely what would denaturalize them."

But there is another class of witnesses of both the extent and the effects of this vice in society whose evidence is more valuable than any or all others, viz: the medical profession. The physician, above all others, has the best means of determining the prevalence of this vice. He sees it in every stage of its development, from the first dalliance of the victim with the poisonous cup to the hopeless state of chronic alcoholism. It is his peculiar province to witness the origin and progress of social vices of every description; for to him, above all others, are necessarily revealed the privacies, and even sanctities, of family life. Thoughtful medical men frequently express much apprehension at the prevailing tendency of women to indulge in the use of alcoholic liquors. Every one can point to instances among his families of the too free use of these beverages, and not a few can relate the most harrowing tales of domestic unhappiness from this cause. The aggregate of this personal experience of the medical profession makes a body of evidence which, if not positively startling, is certainly of sufficient importance to deserve the serious consideration of all who are engaged in the suppression of intemperance.

Nor is this vice confined to the better classes of our own community. "Drawing-room alcoholism," as it is called, is attracting much attention elsewhere, and what adds to the interest of the discussion is the fact that the first cry of alarm, as well as word of warning, comes from the leaders of the fashionable world and the apologists for the drinking usages of society.

The Saturday Review recently startled the fashionable circles of London with the announcement: "There is an increasing evil under the sun, one of pressing importance, but so contrary to our notion of the .fitness of things that we are unwisely inclined to hush it up. Now and then, however, a whispered scandal reminds our Pharisees that a Pharisee's wife indulges in alcoholic stimulants; 'has been taken away from some ball by her friends quite drunk, poor thing I How shocking!' Or, 'Really should not have been allowed to ride, when she could hardly sit on her horse.' But such stories we agree to get off as quickly as possible. They are 'too painful' for women who stand on the brink of the same precipice down which Lady A. or Mrs. B. slipped out of sight, even within London memory." The Review continues: "Some sincere effort should be made to check habits which are notoriously on the increase, and which threaten to degrade women, even of the well-born and educated classes, beyond the help of theories, however brilliant, of their rights. It is honest and prudent to confess that drunkenness is no longer quite unknown, even in the most charming drawing-rooms, be it under the form of dipsomania, oinomania, habitual or occasional excess."

In the first place, it is evident that the reform mast begin in the home and social circles. Young ladies must not be trained to the use of wines, if we would prevent their drinking brandy. And such training involves their education as to the physiological effects of alcohol in any and all forms upon persons of their sex and age. It involves, also, religious training as to the moral guilt of a habit deliberately incurred in the face of the terrible warnings which are within the knowledge, if not the personal acquaintance, of every family. It involves, finally, a total absence of the temptation to be avoided. This part of the instruction must be inforced by parents both in the home and social circles.

In the second place, the medical profession should be united in a scheme of practice so drawn that alcoholic stimulants should never be employed when any other available remedy will answer the same end; and when employed, they should be prescribed in definite quantities, and for a specific purpose. It will be found, when such a scheme is prepared, that it will seldom be necessary to prescribe spirituous liquors to young ladies, and never under such circumstances as to endanger the formation of a habit.

A Medical Man Fallen.—An old medical gentleman about nine years ago had a respectable practice, and kept his carriage. He took to drinking freely. Soon he neglected his patients, lost his character, and for some time he and his once respectable family have been actually reduced to such a state of destitution by his intemperance, that they have been deprived of lodgings, and had no food but a few cold potatoes given by their neighbours. A few weeks ago they were received into the workhouse; their passage has since been paid to America, and they are about to leave the land of their fathers. It took only nine years to do it.