Question

central question: what were the arguments for prohibition?
dr. macnicholl address (document a)
the following address was given by dr. g. alexander macnicholl at a meeting of the american medical society in 1913. macnicholl spoke frequently at prohibition rallies and was widely cited in publications by prohibitionist groups, especially the women’s christian temperance union.
the following address was given by dr. g. alexander macnicholl at a meeting of the american medical society in 1913. macnicholl spoke frequently at prohibition rallies and was widely cited in publications by prohibitionist groups, especially the women’s christian temperance union.
a wave of degeneracy is sweeping the land—a degeneracy so bad that it staggers the mind and threatens to destroy the country, numbering more victims than have been killed in all the wars and by all the serious diseases that have swept the country in the last two hundred years. … but back of them all stands alcohol as the chief factor.
a study of two groups of families will clearly show the difference between the children of the drinker and the children of the abstainer. ten families of regular drinkers show the following: total number of children, 55. thirty died in infancy … two were excellent, 6 fair, and 27 deficient.
of the abstainers, 90 per cent were normal in mind and body, as against 7 percent of drinkers’ children. a comparison of these two groups of families … shows that alcohol actually injured or destroyed 83 per cent of the children. ninety - seven per cent of the children of total abstainers were proficient in their studies, as against 32 per cent with drinking parents. …
we are face to face with the greatest crisis in our country’s history. the alcohol question must be settled within the next ten years or a stronger race will write the epitaph of this republic.
source: transcript of an address by dr. alexander macnicholl printed in the washington times on december 19, 1913. degeneracy: physical, mental, or moral decay abstainer: someone who doesn’t drink alcohol epitaph: statement about the dead

degeneracy: physical, mental, or moral decay
epitaph: statement about the dead
alcohol

1. summarize macnicholl’s argument -

Explanation:

To determine Dr. MacNicholl's argument for Prohibition, we analyze the document:

1. Degeneracy Claim: He argues alcohol causes a "wave of degeneracy" worse than wars/diseases, undermining the race.
2. Family Impact: A study shows children of drinkers have high infant mortality, mental/physical issues, while abstainers' children are normal and productive.
3. National Crisis: He frames alcohol as a crisis needing resolution in 10 years to save the republic.

Answer:

Dr. MacNicholl argued for Prohibition by claiming:

• Alcohol causes a "wave of degeneracy" harming the nation’s moral/physical fabric.
• It severely harms children (high infant death, mental/physical issues in drinkers’ families vs. healthy, productive children in abstainers’ families).
• Resolving the alcohol issue is a national crisis to preserve the republic.