Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1873-08-22

DRAwING-RooN DRuNKARDs-In recent
paper read before the Irish college of physi-
/ clans on this subject, DIR. Alfred II. McClin-
| took says 1t is a matter of notoriety that
| the immoderate used of diflusabes
| has greatly increased Of late years. among
classes whose education and social condition
| should have been sufficient preservatives
against this destructive vice 1t is well
| known to physicians that alcoholism is to be
met with among the occupants of drawing
rooms as well the frequenters of tap rooms.
What has so widely spread this pernicious
habit among the present generation. it would
be difficult to say. Probably more causes
| than one have contributed to-bring it about.
| cannot help thinking that the intense strain
put on the intellectual faculties in every pro-
| fession, trade and pursuit, the mental com
petition of these days. must create or foster
an appetite for diffusable stimulants. Merry
ous exhaustion Graves for the alcoholic stim-
ulus whereas physical or muscular ex-
haustion will more eagerly demand solid
aliment. Furthermore, to be candid. must
own to a feeling that our own profession is
not wholly free from blame in this matter.
| know well | am here trenching on delicate
ground, but, "ABucuS Plato, dnlic1is Socrates,
sed nlagiS dnicd rerifas, and strongly sus-
pect that the modern treatment of disease
BY the free use of stimulants, though full
filling an important therapeutic indication
has occasionally developed a moral and a
physical disease Of an incurable kind |
would qualify this, however, by adding that
the declarations of inebriates themselves on
this point is of no value whatever. as they
are VIGOROUSLY untruthful, and are always
ready to throw the blame of their evil habits
on the physician or surgeon.
Nearly all the cases OF alcoholism which
have fallen under my immediate observation
were females of the better class in society.
All, with scarcely an exception, concealed
the habit they had acquired of drinking to
excess, so that it often needed a heightened
| investigation and careful analysis Of all
the symptoms before any positive conclusion
as to the real cause of the patients condition
could be arrived at All sought medical ad-
vice on account of some arrangement belong
ing to the alcoholism, though apparently not
themselves recognizing the source from
whence their ailment sprang. | should qua
lily this by saying that few were brought
by friends who had no suspicion of the pa
tents habits. The intoxicating liquors taken
varied good deal, viz, brandy, gin cham
pagne, port, sherry, whiskey, ale, porter and, e,
in one case, tincture of ginger-of which
her daily allowance, for Il length of time, was
one pint. This unfortunate lady. who moy-
ed ina high circle, and was what is ordina-
rily called strong-minded person, eyentu-
ally died of jaundice, enlarged liver and as
cites. 1t is very well known that where the
ordinary spirit cannot be obtained the VIC
tins of this passion will not hesitate to
drink eau-de-cologne, lavender water, sal
volatile, compound spirits of lavender, and, J,
in fact, any spirit they can lay their hands
on. Most of US here have known or heard