Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1857-08-22
BEST CURE FOR INTOXICATING HABITS.

The question has often been asked, in a simply
medical point Of view, how the habit of intoxicat-
ion is best averted or cured. 1t is we'll known to
all physicians that some persons constitutonally
more disposed to it tina others some hereditarily
and some from the effects Of ndulgences long since
abandoned far as in their power, areyet incn-
ed TO it that their selfcontrol, their sanity, and
strongest powers Of will, though they may be per-
feet at all other points, completely frustrated
here. 1t may be said indeed, that this, being the
result Of former indulgences, is their fault but
this does not make it less their misfortune and
if such sincere in their efforts to abandon it,
much the more are they deserving of all the assist
aDoe that can be rendered to them.
1t belongs to ali wrong doing thus to generate q
tendency to reproduction. If the man who has thus
injured himself is to be esteemed ever guilty, the
question might yet remain in morals precisely wheth
the guilt lay chiefly in the present. in the past
acts of his life, whether he is not now to be regard
ed and treated rather morally insane this topic
than Immediately and simply reprehensible Almost
all men have their weak spots. and few boast of
perfectly sound physical, mental and moral con-
stitutiOn. The physician can sometimes cure these
cases best, because it is not his duty to consider
where the fault lies but only how it is 10 be remed-
led.
1t is well known that Coleridge had become SO in
fatuated by and addicted to the use of opium, that
his friends had all given him up for lost. One of
his warmest admirers hired to watch him night
and day, and prevent his getting access to the per-
nicious drug. But he bafled his guard, again and
again. At last, after suffering sgonies of remorse,
such even his own graphic pen confesses itself
unable to describe, in the depths of humility and
contrition, he sought out judicious physician, to
whom he revealed his whole case, his struggles and
his desires, placed himself under his control and
care, and lived, and finally died. in that mans house
after successful reformation of FIVE aud twenty
years. The confession Of his weakness, and the re-
aization that however guilty in its causes, it
now q case Of moral insanity, we suppose was what
saved him to be cured by medical means.
There are many men who from various causes Of
early habits periodically to require some great
excitement either physical, mental, moral Hence
the uncomfortable spells Of drinking into which some
men will ia occasionally, in the absence of mental
stimulants, bitterly as they regret it, and mourn
over it at other times, resolve against it, or vow
against it. The butler of the celebrated William
Pitt used to relate that his master would first of all
give him strict orders before dinner TO bring up
more than so much wine, and afterwards, when it
was gone he would call for more, order, threaten,
rave, and dragged the butler down stairs to the
cellar, by main force, to get more wine.
Very frequently it is found that great mental ex-
etement and eXertions may be substituted for these
physical psroxysms Thus it was remarked of the
late Senator Rusk that, although in early life much
addicted to occasional revels of this kind yet that
he warmed into political life, these periods be-
came more and more rare and that in proportion to
the excitement Of any occasion, he would rise to it,
calm and clear. Strong mental or moral excitement,
then, seems to form one of the very best counter
rrtants remidies against this craving thirst for
physical stimulants. The only danger is that in
any moment of resctionsry depression always liable
to after great excitement, the danger of fall
ing into the use of stimulants is proportionably
great With proper medical care and watchfulness
these periodical cravings for excitement will how
ever, become less and less frequent and also sub
side into violence
The strength of this craving, however when once
aroused, is vehement, that we only conjecture
that without some mode of satisfying it, it would
perhrps prove fatal. Indeed, the sudden and total
cessation of the use of stmulents is one of the most
frequent causes of msnia-s- potu. But the substi-
ually tapering off the whole into healthful regular
activity of the whole man, is what is to be aimed at
in all such cases. while care must be taken to allow
full scope for this excitabilty of temperament in
some other way than by drink, until it subsidies of
itself.
mere physician of the body would utterly fail in
such work as this. The whole man, physical,
mental and moral, must be considered, studied
watched, excited or Gained to just the proper de-
gree, the only means of restoring to his right
mind and true nature, one who has wandered from
the paths of reason.
Could a private hospital be formed, under the
charge of physician of ability, reach the
whole complexities of these cases, study their his
ory and desire, there are hundreds, perhaps thous
ands Of families of large fortune, who would will
ngly pay any fair amount, and who would rejoice
% place their friends, and some to enter of them
selves, under the of so valuable friend
\ such physician would prove philadelphia Ledger