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     THe LIQUOR PHOBLEM 
     
    
   
   
    
     All available information indicates that over-indulgence in alcoholic 
     
     beverages had constituted a problem on the Island since the earliest days 
     
     of the colony. Numerous taverns and roadhouses were found on all the major 
     
     traveled highways. Charlottetown had its refreshment centers on practically 
     
     every block, 80 that no home-bound farmer need take the. road unfortified 
     
     against the elements. The churches tried to combat the evil by the 
     
     formation of various temperance societies and total abstinence clubs, but 
     
     none of their well-intentioned efforts seam to have had any lasting effect. 
     
     The Dominion Government enacted a Prohibition law in 1878, but Prince 
     
     Edward Island did not accept it until 1900, when the province passed the 
     
     Prohibition Act. This, however, applied only to Queen's County until 1906, 
     
     when it was adopted by the other two counties. 
     
    

    
     This legislation established an extremely tight system of control of all 
     
     alcoholic beverage sales. All bars and taverns were outlawed; the Liquor 
     
     supply was handled by government~appointed vendors who sold to doctors, 
     
     druggists, and clergymen. Doctors were authorized to write prescriptions 
     
     which specified that the Liquor obtained must be used only for medicinal 
     
     purposes -- never, under any circumstances, as a beverage. The patient 
     
     paid the doctor a dollar for each prescription. 
     
    

    
     It was soon noted that great numbers of normally healthy people were 
     
     developing symptoms of various ailments -- especially at times when they 
     
     were Planning a visit to the city. The approach of Christmas and New Year'ys 
     
     brought a significant increase in the demand for prescriptions -- no doubt 
     
     as a precaution against winter colds and grippe. Although most doctors were 
     
     extremely generous, they had to show some degree of discretion, since the 
     
     government inspectors made regular checks of the prescriptions issued: It 
     
    
   
   
    
     all added up to a situation in which many worthy citizens were unable to