In this influential work of public health advocacy, Felix L. Oswald argues that intemperance (excessive drinking) is a major cause of social, economic, and health problems in 19th century America. Oswald marshals a wide range of statistical, scientific, and moral arguments in support of his case, and offers practical advice for individuals and communities seeking to combat the spread of intemperance. The Poison Problem is a fascinating historical document and a reminder that many of the social problems we face today have deep roots in the past. This work has been selected by scholars as being culturally important, and is part of the knowledge base of civilization as we know it. This work is in the "public domain in the United States of America, and possibly other nations. Within the United States, you may freely copy and distribute this work, as no entity (individual or corporate) has a copyright on the body of the work. Scholars believe, and we concur, that this work is important enough to be preserved, reproduced, and made generally available to the public. We appreciate your support of the preservation process, and thank you for being an important part of keeping this knowledge alive and relevant.