Europe and America, and so long as the consumption of alcohol is so enormous,
so long will there be a difference of opinion as to its ill effects,
but in this matter, by means of its State Prohibition Laws,
America is setting an example to the world. In no other country are there
such extensive tracts without alcohol as the "Dry States" of America.
China, who is waging war on opium, recognizes in this fact
a kindred, active moral force which is absent elsewhere,
and, shaking hands with her sister republic across the seas,
hopes that she will some day be as free of alcoholic poisons
as China herself hopes to be of opium. Every vice, however, has its defense.
Some years ago I met a famous Dutch artist in Peking, who,
though still in the prime of life, was obliged to lay aside his work
for a few days each month, due to an occasional attack of rheumatism.
I found he was fond of his cup, though I did not understand
that he was an immoderate drinker. I discoursed to him somewhat lengthily
about the evil effects of drink, and showed him that unless he was willing
to give up all intoxicating liquor, his rheumatism would never give him up.
He listened attentively, pondered for a few minutes, and then gave
this characteristic answer: "I admit the soundness of your argument
but I enjoy my glass exceedingly; if I were to follow your advice
I should be deprived of a lot of pleasure. Indeed, I would rather have
the rheumatic pains, which disappear after two or three days,
and continue to enjoy my alcoholic drinks, than endure the misery
of doing without them." I warned him that in course of time
his rheumatism would be longer in duration and attack him more frequently,
if he continued to ignore its warnings and to play with what, for him,
was certainly poison. When anyone has a habit, be it injurious or otherwise,
it is not easy to persuade him to abandon it.
"The Aristocracy of Health" written by the talented Mrs. Henderson
is an admirable work. I owe much to it. The facts and arguments
adduced against tobacco smoking, strong drink and poisonous foods,
are set forth in such a clear and convincing manner,
that soon after reading it I became a teetotaler and "sanitarian"*
and began at once to reap the benefits. I felt that I ought not to keep
such a good thing to myself, but that I should preach the doctrine
far and wide. I soon found, however, that it was an impossible task
to try to save men from themselves, and I acquired the unenviable sobriquet
of "crank"; but I was not dismayed. From my native friends
I turned to the foreign community in Peking, thinking that the latter
would possess better judgment, appreciate and be converted
to the sanitarian doctrine. Among the foreigners I appealed to,
one was a distinguished diplomat, and the other a gentleman
in the Chinese service, with a world-wide reputation.
Both were elderly and in delicate health, and it was my earnest hope
that by reading Mrs. Henderson's book, which was sent to them,
they would be convinced of their errors and turn over a new leaf --
I was disappointed. Both, in returning the book, made substantially
the same answer. "Mrs. Henderson's work is very interesting,
but at my time of life it is not advisable to change life-long habits.
I eat flesh moderately, and never drink much wine." They both seemed
to overlook the crucial problem as to whether or not animal food
contains hurtful poison. If it does, it should not be eaten at all.
We never hear of sensible people taking arsenic, strychnine,
or other poisons, in moderation, but many foolish women, I believe,
take arsenic to pale their complexions, while others, both men and women,
take strychnine in combination with other drugs, as a tonic,
but will anyone argue that these substances are foods?