ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses how abstinent teachers in Switzerland campaigned for prevention of alcoholism. In Switzerland, the abstinence or temperance movement became an important social movement at the end of the 19th century. The abstinent teachers considered alcoholism to be the "greatest social ill" and pointed out its "manifold perils". In Switzerland, the international anti-alcohol movement found its expression in the abstinent teacher's association. Initially, association members were committed to complete abstinence from alcohol. With this demand they found little acceptance on the part of their fellow teachers. They were also criticized of portraying the "alcohol issue" only in negative contexts. Later, in the 1920s, the abstinent teachers successfully gained media attention by focusing on milk and fruit and advocating the teaching of these topics in the schools. Here, the international anti-alcohol endeavors found a specifically Swiss manifestation. Prevention of alcohol consumption was oriented particularly towards younger school children.
