Alcoholism: Attitudes and Attacks,1775-1935

Abstract

For generations uncontrolled drinking was looked upon as a matter of individual perversity and moral defect. One or two physicians pointed out the disease character of this behavior, but they received little recognition from their colleagues. Society in general tended either to ignore the condition or to deal with it through legislation and punitive action. Attempts at elimination of uncontrolled drinking during the last one hundred and fifty years have demon strated that this is a mixed medical and social problem. Joint responsibility and co-operation of both medicine and the community are imperative if a solution to the condition is to be achieved. There is evidence that this co-operation is slowly developing.