THE ENGLISH DRINK PROBLEM: ITS RISE AND DECLINE THROUGH THE AGES

For many centuries the "loathsome and odious sin of drunkenness" held this country in a firm grip tightening it even closer on a number of occasions. Numerous unco-ordinated efforts made by social reformers, the Churches, Legislators and at times also by doctors to loosen the tight hold were of no lasting avail until fairly recently. It was chiefly the campaign against drunkenness during the 1914-18 War which extricated the country from its grip, and since then a number of factors acting in combination have prevented drunkenness from becoming a menace once more. But even if nowadays drunken people are not sprawling on the streets any more, there is still need for research, vigilance and public education in the complex phenomenon of alcoholism.