Second: Individuals who took two glasses of beer, or a glass of whisky, or their alcoholic equivalent, each day. In this group the mortality was 18 per cent. in excess of the average. Third: Men who indulge more freely than the preceding group, but who were considered acceptable as standard insurance risks. In this group the mortality was _86 per cent._ in excess of the average. In short, we find the following increase of mortality over the average death rate among insured risks generally: Steady moderate drinkers but accepted as standard risks 86 per cent. Having past excesses 50 " " Very moderate drinkers 18 " " This means that steady drinkers who exceed two glasses of beer or one glass of whisky daily are not, on the evidence, entitled to standard insurance, but should be charged a heavy extra premium. In these groups, the death rates from Bright's disease, pneumonia and suicide were higher than the normal. [Sidenote: Consumption of Alcohol] The per capita consumption of alcohol has greatly increased in the United States in recent years, while in the United Kingdom it has materially decreased, as shown in the following table. This factor must be considered in assigning a cause for the increasing mortality from degenerative diseases in this country as compared to a decreasing mortality from these maladies in Great Britain. ANNUAL PER CAPITA CONSUMPTION (IMPERIAL GALS.) OF ALCOHOL IN VARIOUS COUNTRIES[9] 1896-1912 --------+------------------------------+-------------------------------- | 1896-1900. | 1908-1912. +------+------+--------+-------+------+------+--------+--------- | Beer.| Wine.|Spirits.| Total.| Beer.| Wine.|Spirits.| Total. --------+------+------+--------+-------+------+------+--------+--------- Germany | 25.4 | 1.37| 1.66 | 28.43 | 22.4 | 1.09| 1.29 | 24.78 U. K. | 31.6 | .39| 1.05 | 33.04 | 26.65| .26| .71 | 27.62 France | 5.5 | 19.9 | 1.7 | 27.1 | 8.6 | 24.7 | 1.42 | 34.72 U. S. | 13.01| .30 | .81 | 14.12 | 16.62| .52| 1.02 | 18.16 --------+------+------+--------+-------+------+------+--------+--------- #Laboratory and Clinical Evidence Relating to the Physiological Effects of Alcohol# To interpret correctly the mortality statistics relating to moderate drinkers and total abstainers, one must have some knowledge of the physiological effects of alcohol in so-called moderate doses, a knowledge which is often lacking in those who assume to interpret such statistics.