Alcohol and Liver Cirrhosis in Twentieth-Century Britain

The relationship between alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis has been contested, but this book demonstrates that medical expertise had a significant influence on policy responses and the social reputation of alcohol consumption. It argues that medical understandings of liver disease influenced how alcohol was conceptualized in relation to its harms, offering a fresh perspective on the interaction between scientific knowledge and policy during the twentieth century.

Format: Hardback
Length: 276 pages
Publication date: 29 April 2023
Publisher: Springer International Publishing AG

The intricate relationship between alcohol consumption and the development of liver cirrhosis has been a subject of ongoing debate among medical professionals and scholars, leading to significant implications for the public perception of alcohol in Britain. Despite this, it was not until the 1970s that cirrhosis was recognized as an "alcoholic disease." This book aims to contextualize the developments in this debate throughout the twentieth century by examining the profound influence that medical expertise had on policy responses to alcohol misuse, as well as the social reputation of alcohol consumption. It demonstrates how the perception of drinking as the primary cause of liver disease influenced how different groups, such as the temperance movement and the drinks industry, exaggerated or downplayed the destructive properties of alcohol.

The book explores a range of themes, including the science of disease causation, the social standing of medical expertise, and alcohol and public health policy. It argues that to fully understand the trajectory of debates around drinking, we must consider the twentieth-century "alcohol problem" as primarily a medical issue. Contrary to the tendency of existing works to disassociate perceptions and responses to alcohol use from the objective knowledge of its effects on the body, this book shows that medical understandings of liver disease influenced how alcohol was conceptualized in relation to its harms.

By offering a fresh perspective on the interaction between scientific knowledge and policy during the twentieth century, this book provides valuable insights for scholars researching the social, political, and cultural history of modern Britain, as well as historians of medicine and health. It sheds light on the complex interplay between scientific advancements, societal attitudes, and policy decisions, and how these factors have shaped the development of alcohol-related policies and practices over the past century.

In conclusion, this book provides a comprehensive and insightful examination of the relationship between alcohol consumption and liver cirrhosis, shedding light on the historical and societal factors that have influenced this complex issue. It offers valuable insights for scholars and policymakers interested in understanding the history of alcohol consumption, public health, and the role of medical expertise in shaping policy responses.

Weight: 508g
Dimension: 210 x 148 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9783031271069
Edition number: 1st ed. 2023