John Eberle (1788-1838) in his Treatise on the Diseases and Physical Education of Children, published in 1833, included a chapter on the conduct of mothers during pregnancy. Long before the current concern about the fetal alcohol syndrome, Eberle, almost a century and a half ago, was warning prospective mothers about the "ruinous effects" of alcohol on the fetus, as is evident in the following quotation.1
The majority of children born of decidedly intemperate mothers, are weak and sickly, and but few of them arrive at the age of adolescence. Many females appear to think, that although these and other melancholy consequences follow in the train of habitual intemperance, it is extremely improbable that any injury can result to themselves or the foetus, from the occasional use of small portions of spirituous liquors. Were it indeed absolutely certain, that the use of such potations, would always be restricted to occasional small portions, the indulgence would perhaps, rarely occasion any serious consequences. But as no prudence and resolution can be safely regarded as an entire protection against the gradual formation of the habit of intemperance, where such drinks are occasionally taken during gestation, even though it be at very considerable intervals and in very moderate quantities at first, it is far the safest plan, to abstain wholly from every kind of spirituous liquors.
Health professionals' knowledge, practice and opinions about fetal alcohol syndrome and alcohol consumption in pregnancy
