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FASD The Course > Module 1: Historic Perspectives on Alcohol and Pregnancy > 4. Introduction

Please Select One 1. Module Description 2. Learning Objectives 3. Pretest 4. Introduction 5. England's Gin Epidemic 6. Modern Times 7. Recent Past 8. Current Knowledge 9. Myths and Facts 10. Myths and Facts Quiz 11. Matching Activity 12. Posttest 13. References

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Module 1: Historic Perspectives on Alcohol and Pregnancy

Introduction

A few drinks during pregnancy can't be that bad, right? After all, no one said anything about it until the 1970s. Not true. In the Bible (Judges 13:7, KJV) there is a caution against drinking while pregnant: "Behold thou shalt conceive, and bear a son; and now drink no wine nor strong drink." In his writings, the ancient Greek philosopher, Aristotle (384 to 322 BC), suggested that children of "drunken women" were often "morose and languid".¹ In the 17^th century, Sir Francis Bacon warned women against drinking alcohol while pregnant. Since then, knowledge about alcohol and pregnancy has increased, leading to preventive measures. In the 18^th century, the British government recognized the impact of alcohol on pregnancy outcomes and took steps to reverse dangerous trends.

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