ABSTRACT
In the study of the history of food and drink in relation to health that of the use and abuse of alcoholic drinks is perhaps the most important problem. Alcoholic drinks in the past have been drunk by a large section of most communities, and have proved to be one of the greatest foes of health and long life. In Great Britain there is abundant evidence of continuing social mischief caused by alcoholic excess, although the average amount of alcohol consumed per capita has greatly declined. This chapter concerns with a statement of the personal and communal effects of alcoholic indulgence. The injurious effects of alcohol may be considered as they affect the family and the community and in relation to personal welfare. Exact observations made by Vernon during the Great War showed that accidents were most numerous in the first shift of work when there were opportunities for getting drink.
