The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-07-10 00:00:00

• • • - - -
- . . • ,
. _

tfse (stourbribBe ONlstrber.

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1875.
0

-A NEW REMEDY FOR AN OLD DISEASE

Ms. Baron Martin, one of the shrewdest and
LOBB acute judges who ever presided in the
Court of Exchequer, once had a prisoner before
bisa who was Raid to be suffering from dipso-
saaai a. " Dipsomania ! exclaimed the judge
..,
rho! kind of mania is that ?" He had never
liikicd of the disease in all the course of his
tudisial experience. But such eminent physi-
wimps and surgeons as Sir Thomas Watson, Sir
NiniAlll Fergusson, Sir James Paget, Sir WH-
IMS/Gull and Sir Henry Thompson, in joining
deputation to the Home Secretary, have urged
apon the attention of the right hon. gentleman
lits fact that habitual drunkenness, or to use the
inimical term dipsomania, is in effect a species
*I insanity, depriving its victim of all power of
stilf•control, and rendering him altogetherLeem-
potent to manage his own affairs. These great
authorities, therefore, pointed out to Mr. Cross
that the existing law with respect to drunken-
SODS should be made more simple, uniform, and
stringent, and that power shonld be given to
*Noma to sanitaria, reformatories, or inebriate
asylums all persons who, notwithstanding the
plainest considerations of health, interest, and
duty, are given over to habits of intemperance,
so as to render them unable to control them-
selves and incapable of managing their or
affairs. What had the Secretary of State for the
Nome Department to say to this recommenda-
tion ? After expressing his general sympathy
with the object sought to be attained, he re-
sanded the deputation that there were great
radical difficulties in the way of carrying out
what they asked. The law enabled the authori-
MOS to deal with criminals and lunatics, but to
what extent of habitual drunkenness would a
dipsomaniac have to go before he could be taken
into custody ? Of course the memorial would
toseive that degree of consideration which was
demanded by its importance, and with that, for
the time, our greatest doctors and most active
philanthropists must be content.
There can be no denying the strength of the
position taken up by Mr. Cross, that there would
be great jealousy on the part of the body politic
at teeing a man taken into custody who had
comantted no offence at present known to the
law. At the same time it can hardly be ques-
tioned that dipsomania is a specific form of dis-
ease. He who indulges in it has, like the luna-
tics lucid intervals, and in these he lives tempe-
tialy, and in many cases abstemiously. Not
tutfrequently he regards his vice with positive
horror, and speaks of the follies and excesses
into which it leads him with a sincere loathing.
When, however, the fit seizes him, all his resolu-
tions vanish into empty air, and the most solemn
vows are ignored. Humiliation to himself, and
misery and distress to his friends are the result.
Now, in France, when a man is notoriously un-
able to manage his own affairs, either from
drunkenness or from any other similar cause, it
is open to his relatives to convene a meeting
eatalogous to an assembling of creditors under
our own bankruptcy law, and at which a distinct
aeajority is necessary if a binding resolution is
10 be passed. This council is, however, confined
to the man's own family, and it can, if it arrives
at a valid decision, petition the superior court of
law, which represents our own Queen's B: ii
to institute an inquiry. If the court is satisfied
that the defendant is, upon grounds of general
policy and expediency, unfit to manage his owl
obis's, it vests his property in trustees, and
mhos an order upon them for his allowance.
The ;deputation which waited upon Mr. Cross,
however, asked for/something much more strin-
gent than the family council. They desire to
have the law so altered as to enable a drunkard
to be incarceratel upon the certificate of two
medical men. That is the mode adopted in cases
of lunacy, and the extension of the provision to
drunkards is One which would not be acceded to
except a most unanswerable case was made out.
ALB= should be consigned to a sanatorium on
S couch broader basis than that. It is some-
times urged against doctors that they sign certi-
ficates of lunacy much too easily, and it is not
improbable that certificates of habitual drunk-
eaness would be obtained more easily still.
There are many men whom it would be very un-
just to deprive of their liberty, and who are yet
BO far the victims of a habit of drinking to ex-
MS, that it would be impossible to exclude
them from any medical definition of dipsomania.
Naturally such men give considerable annoyance
to their friends and relatires, and there would
ho a temptation to strain the law, so as quietly
to put them out of the way. A wife, dissatisfied
with her husband, ought not to be able to con-
sign him for life to a place of confinement on
Ins word of two medical men that he was in the
habit of drinking to excess. But if at a meet-
ing of not less than twelve of a man's immedi-
ate relatives a clear majority of two-thirds
agree that be! ought to be placed under restraint,
the ease ildely different. There are many
who believe at the medical profession already
Possesses more power than it ought to have, and
on that grounu would be reluctant to extend the
lunacy laws to men given to over-indulgence in
their cups. Mr. Cross was right in declaring
that the question was surrounded with very coo
siderable difficulties. If a habitual drunkard is
to be consigned to an asylum, the first point to
be decided would be the meaning of the word
"habitual." What interpretation could be placed
upon it—what would constitute it—what inter-
mittent fits of sobriety would interfere with its
strict interpretation? This, combined with the
question as to by whom the law should bo put in
force would be sufficient to deter the moat judi-
cious Home Secretary of the most powerful
government from touching such a matter unless
absolutely compelled to do so by the force of
pablic opinion—a force which, it must be admit-
ted, does not at present exist.

Good raluefor )noney is desired by all, with articles
taat cinnet be jiidged of by appearance. careful par-
obasers rely on the high standing of those with whom
they deal. For 30 year., Horniman's Pare Teas in
packets hsve giving general satisfaction, being e xeeedingy
streng, of uniform good quality, and truly cheap. Agents:
itoorkridge--.-Clarke, al, LI lareet ; Baker, 124, High.
Erect; liewit. Market Piece; Morris, 136, High-street
Brierley ffill-Hltawilogs chemist ; Kidderminster, Bal
Bice ; Hilesowen, Adam, chemist; Lye, Jones, chemist
Wordeley, Turner, chemiat ; Kingswinford, Pearson
Ihrottel Lane, Collizza, ehewist ; Birmingham, Barks
TB e PHIYATION or THR Ulm or ONICa'S LIMB% while the
other fuiletions of Nature are intact is a serious mortifica-
tion to the sctively disposed. Such, however, is the con-
dition of the victims of rheumatism or gout. To walk
without et.dutiog agwyy is impossible. to use the arms.
free Irons- cicruciating pain, is equally impracticable. A
haling of g!atitioie therefoie poi vades the frame wber
the °MILS are attorelo.ei of using all the members without
judicious al.d fre-Jient applieit!ion of PoWELL'S ItHEU-
NATIO ENeItoCATIuN. It Is past all doubt the grandest
vacifit fr ttg vnis we Lave named, and others of a
similar dr-arm:ter. Aiity be outlined of all Chemists.
Price is 14d. and 2i 9d. Laboratory : 114 and 116 south-
lapton-row, Lowneu.
THAT COMPLEXIoN has always been held to be the mos
lovely in which the rose und the lily contend for mestere
or in which their beauty is blended. Great sacrifices are
namie to produee Ut uppearance corresponding with the
slembination, but they never sueceed. Art cannot appro.
ash Nittnre The Lialy
readeriMiii Arrangement that can be made to
woman indepeasdeil of all expedient's is to
freely use Ilanasi's MAorrohia Bansr. It preserves the
skin from premature wrinkies and farrows—renders it
smooth seu supple, and reszores the hue which toy have
faatai through IllneSs, te a noxious atmosphere
the beat oi iUfl.fli. or the frosts of winter. To be ob.
ef ad Chemitts and Perfamers throughout the
world. Price 3s. 6d. European Depot : 114 and 116,
lioathempton-row, Lo lon -
Bryant and :day Leg to direct special attention to their
/Irw Oval Pocket Vesta Boxes with Patent Spring Cov-
ers, which are entirely free from all Rough Edges and
*harp ,:orners, and admitted by every one to be the Beat
and utseapeat Pocket Box ever produ-ed. Retailed every
where at One Penny. Patentee ' f ittrura
bum% mut May, London., "ma" "

LTa

a LI- 1161418g2

THE IRON TRADE.
QUARTERLY MEETING OF TRONMASTERS

REDUCTION IN PIG AND FINISHED IRON.
WOLVERHAMPTON, Wednesday.
The quarterly meeting of the ironmasters of
South Staffordshire was held here this afternoon,
and there was a numerous and an influential at-
tendance. The official declaration of prices was
not reserved for the Eirminghain meeting to-mor-
row, for the!leading bar houses promptly announced
that they had resolved to reduced their quotations
£l. per ton, making Earl Dudley's Round Oak
bars £lO. 12s. 6d., and the bars of Messrs. Thorney-
croft, the New British Iron Company, and such
like firms, .210. per ton. The hoops and sheets
and plates of these firms were at the same time
brought down in the usual proportion. Simul-
taneously, the sheetmaking firms who are not
members of the Iron mast ers' Association, assembled
apart and resolved unanimously--
" That, having regard to the reduction that have
already been made from time to time in the prices
of sheet iron, and in view of the present rate of
wages and cost of material, there can be no further
reduction made in prices."
There is no doubt an excellent current demand
for sheet iron, but how far this determination can
be upheld seems questionable; the more so as
Shropshire hot-blast and best Staffordshire hot-
blast pig-iron has to-day been declared down 10s.
per ton. The Lilleshall Company was again re-
presented by Mr. E. Horton himself, and that
gentleman led off the reductions in pigs of quoting
his new price for Shropshire hot-blast pigs at £4.
10s. at the furnaces, or £4. 153. delivered in this
district. The action of the Shropshire firms in
respect of their cold-blast iron remains to be de-
termined after a meeting of Shropshire iron and
coal masters which has been summoned for to-
morrow. At that meeting the price of Shropshire
coal, as well as of cold-blast pig-iron, I%ill be dis-
cussed. The views held by the open market were
altogether in favour of a reduction to-morrow of
10s. per ton in Shropshire cold-blast iron, simul-
taneously with a reduction also in Shropshire coal.
Staffordshire all-mine pig-iron, followed the lead
of the Lilleshall Company, was declared down 10s.,
which leaves ruling quotations at from £4. 10s. to
£4. 15s. Leading qualities of forge hematite
were quoted at about 33. 6d. under the more gene-
ral price of to-day (L 4. 103. for Staffordshire all-
mine, long weight. Staffordshire cold-blast iron
awaits the decision of the Shropshire masters to-
morrow. The extent of business done in iron at
the new prices was very limited.
The market was abundantly supplied with coal
of all qualities. Quotations were at the full drop
declared in respect of the produce of the Dudley
district; but colliery proprietors who have mines
in the less favoured localities affirmed that it was
impossible for them to reduce more than a few
pence. The most general reduction in such fuel
was 6d. a ton, through there were instances where
the reduction came to as much as Is. 6d. Owing,
however, to the smallness of the current trade
doing by the iron-masters, the transactions were
not numerous, nor had they reference to other than
insignificant quantities. Consumers believe in
their capability to obtain what they want upon a
very short notice, and they will not, therefore,
purchase beyond immediate requirements.
The determined attitude assumed by the fin-
ished ironworkers as displayed, not so much in the
resolutions to which they had come at their mass
meetings before the last two sittings of the
Conciliation Board, but mainly in the resolution
which they adopted at their meeting on Monday
last, was much discussed this afternoon. Whilst
their masters were receiving the report of the
Conciliation Board, and were deliberating the best
course to be thereon pursued, they were meeting
and determining to abide the issues even of a
strike or lock-out rather than have their wages
reduced, unless such reduction should be ordered
by an arbitrator. The arguments used at the
Conciliation Board were repeated on 'Change.
They are, in substance, that the men clearly ex-
pected that an arbitrator would give them all
that they are asking, but that if they should not
so award, then that they would practically reject
the arbitrament. Nevertheless, there were iron-
masters who did not hesitate to express their
readiness to accept arbitration, even withthis fear
upon their minds, rather than the industry of the
district should be stopped. It was evident they
saw, from what had been published of the men's
last meeting, that there were changes desired by
the men which would afford plenty of discussion
hereafter, and will leave room for further serious
divergencies, unless some one should pronounce
with authority upon the course to be taken. But
it was the fear that the pronouncement would not
be with such authority as the ironworkers would
recognise, if it should be in opposition to their
immediate interests, that appeared to cause other
ironmasters to hesitate upon the arbitration ques-
tion. Confidence was, however, expressed in the
ability of the Conciliation Board to, in some way,
get the trade out of its present wages difficulty.
Still, the prevailing indefiniteness, together with
the uncertainty of the bearing upon the cost of
production of the claims which ironworkers will
hereafter make, had a restraining influence upon
prices in those classes in which quototions are
mostly subject to negotiation.
It is taken for granted that the colliers will offer
no resistance to the reduction in wages necessary
upon the fall in the price of coal. Thin-coal col-
liers are now down at 2s 5d per day. This brings
them to within 3d of the lowest point to which
wages went before they lately commenced so rapid
a rise. But when the 2s 8d was paid, the men
worked three hours longer per day. They are,
therefore, now better off than at that time, not
only to the extent of 3d per day, but to;the extent
likewise of the much shorter time which they are
working. The relative position of their employers,
on the other hand, is very different. There are
colliery owners who are selling their coal at as low
a figure as they got font before the working. hours
had been shortened, and when, too, they were pay-
ing 286 d per day. At the same time the wages of
the thick-coal colliers are down to 3s 6d. Lower
than 3s 6d they have not before been since Auguat,
1863, when, however, as was the case with the
thin-coal colliers, the men were working eleven
.hours. " Per day," in reference to colliers' wages
it must not be forgotten, means per" stint;" and
there are many in this district who make at least
two days in the eight hours. In truth, there are
some who decline to go down unless they are
allowed to do two days' work before the eight
hours are up. And concurrently with the eight
hours, has been the Mines Regulation Act, with
its attendant costliness.
At a me3ting of the Mines Drainage Commis-
sioners, held at their offices, this afternoon, Mr. G-
Y. Barker, who presided, referred to some com-
ments which had been made byloutsiders as to the
outlay in draining the surface and the mines being
excessive. That this was the case he and other
members of the Board indignantly denied.
Messrs. E. P. and W. Baldwin, of the Wilden
Ironworks, Stourport, and of the Stour Valley
Works, Wolverhampton, are not of the number of
the sheet-iron makers who have to-day resolved to
make no change in their quotations. This firm
resolved, at Stourport, after the Wolverhampton
meeting had been held, to reduce their quotations
.21 per ton.