American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-05-15
The Ether Drunkard OF Berlin.

ONk Of the sad sights Of our city is q
man. whose. history is worth relating,
and who has been the subject of some in
terssfing experiments by the physicians.
This beggar, whose manner and speech
may betray q man of cultivation and re-
fnement, became SO great nuisance on
the streets that he was arrested and on
the supposition of illness was sent to the
hospital. He complained of languor,
weakness, want of appetite and trem-
bling in the muscles, and showed unmis-
taxable traces of neglected life. His
cultivated speech contrasted strangely
with his miserable appearance, and in
same moment his physicians drew from
him history of his misfortunes, given
in q refined language and with regret
full pathos that made the recital painful
to his hearers In his youth, having a
free, untrammeled life, he principally
busted himself with philosophy and
&sthetics; and had an inclination to
mystical theology. He passed his ex-
animation at the gymnasium and uni
versity with credit. Soon afterward he
oame sacross=a writing of Dietfepback
which described the use and effects of
ether as a medicine, and gave such a
glowing account of the condition of per-
sons who were subjected to its influence
that he could not resist trying the ex-
pertinent. In 1855 he made TIE first
trial by inhaling two and one-half
ounces of sniphuric ether. So soon
as he was fairly under its influence he
had succession Of lively illusions or
representations in mystical theology
that corresponded to his turn of mind,
and in which, as inhasheesh or opium,
material space and time were entirely dis
regarded. He believed he had travelled
all over the world and lived through un-
ending time, though the siupor lasted but
flffeen minutes Feeling no bodily in
disposition resulting from it. and not be-
ing perfectly satisfied with the result as
he returned to consciousness just at the
moment all his wishes were about to be
realized, he repeated the experiment.
The second time, however. the illusions
of this dream life were not SO brilliant
nor pleasant as before. In order to pro-
duce the same result he increased the
quantity, and soon the Inhalation that
was at first tried as an experiment
changed into an uncomfortable desire,
and step by step, as an intemperate
sdrinker returns to his glass, the poor
fellow resorted to the ether. At first he
inhaled it only in his own room; but the
desire grew SO strong and the power
over HIM was so irresistible that he had
no rest and soon he was seen ON the
streets with saturated handkerchief
held to his mouth and nostrils, Keeling
iTOlu Oac dt)OtuCCdly W ~
ing the ether in small quantities as
his now limited finances would permit.
He consumed at least three-q uarters of
a pound day, Incapable of labor,a
terror to the jewellers in whatever house
he entered, and driven forth on account
of the dreadful smell that always sur
rounded him, he became houseless,
homeless cutcast, -jeered and jibed at by
the boys on the streets When under
the influence of the ether he reeled like
a drunken man; but at other times 1
have seen him with a cane striving as
vainlys as paralyzed~ man to make a !
step. In the hospital he entreated DR..
EwaM to subject him TO the influence of
ether in order that he might observe
scientifically its effect on his system. lie
used 207 grammes in thirty-three min-
sutes. with all possible caution against
evaporation, before he became at al un-
der the influence, and then, even with
this enormous quantity, unconsciousness
remained but a moment. de came TO
himself directly after the inhalation
ceased, and answered questions coher-
entity and gave the appearance only OF
person somewhat disturbed in his mind
The narcotic effects presented nothing
new in science. The illusions were the
same as those of any common drunkard.
Berlin Cor. Cincinnati Gazette.