Customs: A Billion Quarts

Once a year, the Institute of Scientific Studies for the Prevention of Alcoholism brings together teachers, social workers, divinity students and temperance workers for a sobering review of U.S. drinking habits. Key findings at last week's 12th annual meeting, as reported by Temperance Crusader Andrew Ivy, University of Illinois clinical science expert:

¶ 68 million American adults (21 and over) drink alcoholic beverages to some degree.

¶ billion quarts of pure alcohol (the equivalent of 2.8 billion fifths of 90-proof whisky) were consumed in 1960. Bootleg whisky accounts for about another 350 million fifths.

¶ 500,000 people become alcoholics in the U.S....

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