New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-10-18
The Insanity of lnebrietys

The regular monthly meeting of the Neu-
biological Society was held last night at
the College OF Physicians and Surgeons.
DR.: William A. Hammond presided. and
large audience was present. George
Burr, NJ. D., of Binghamton, England,
read an interesting and exhaustive paper
on "The Insanity of lnebriety." He said
that inebriety was that condition of the
organism which gave rise to morbid desire
to drink alcoholic stimulants. Great
mental labor has caused the desire for
stimulants. 1t is not for the satisfaction
OF thirst or OF the appetite. This sense is
OF complex nature, and is q call for ex-
cltement. The organization OF man gives
this sense a most important bearing. The
love for excitement in him is great aud
he calls for something to feed that ex-
citement. In fact, it may be considered =
regular malady. 1t was suggested by Dr.
Rush nearly seventy years ago, and other
eminent physicians, that hospitals for
drunkards should be established all over
country, so that inebriates might be cured
OF their morbid desire for drink and be sent
out in society again as sober men and Sc
ciety's Instructors. AS the use Of alcohol
IS deadly and fatal to mans happiness,
what Is 1t but morbid impulse that COM
pels HIM to pander to his appetite in this
respect! The inception of the disease should
be destroyed by stern prohibition; for this
is the beginning of the malady. The will
has not then lost its power. In subsequent
stages; however, the mental powers are over
whe!ned oy the overpowering demands for
alcohol. A frenzy for drink takes firm
hold on the mental faculties, az tendency
to drunkenness is similarly developed with
all other disorders that are hereditary. 1t
grows on the individual.apace.I 1t may not be
developed in youth, but only in mature
years. The habit may begin accidentally,
but the desire may become so strong that
drunkenness follows. The habit of drink
ing, however, can be traced directly to
morbid impulse. The speaker closed by
advocating the establishment Of hospitals
exclusively for drunkards. An interesting
discussion followed. DR.. Willard Parkes
SAID that all persons loved excitement. 1t
was inherent in mankind, but the larger
number Of the human family chose alcohol
to beget this excitement. In his opinion
sound human being was one whose ap-
petltes were subservient to his will. When
ineDrlates geI to certain stage they
lose their will. The will is the stare,
the appetite the master. The real ques-
ton Ia: What Is alcohol, and what be-
comes OF 1t after its induction into the sys-
TEN Some say it remains in the body for
some time. Does it add any more force to
the system 1t so, why is the temperature
OF the system diminished? The diminution
OF temperature Is diminution of the life
power. How is it that the insurance men
average the life of non-user at sixty-tive
years, and Of moderate drinkers at only
thirty-tve years and six months! DR..
James Edmunds said that in London Or.
iodd, IN almost every case, gave it as a
feeding agent and stimulant. In Glasgow,
however, DIR: Gardner does not use it in his
hospital at all, and his deaths are many per
cent fewer than elsewhere.
DR.. Hammond said that, in answer to Dr..