The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1875-07-02
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CJs0pfer on Drrnkards.

1here are three capital claslncatlons
of the vast number of people who have
"woe and redness OF eyes the occa-
sional, the regular, and the periodical
drunkard. The occasional drunkard is
hardly drunkard at all. His trouble
is merely matter Of stomach. 1t is the
indignant protest Of nature against bad
treatment. As yet his brain and nerv-
Gus system maintain valiant fight
against the destroyer. lie comes out of
a nights debauch with a splitting head
ache, blood-shotten eyes, general fever
ishness, and tremendous loathing for
liquor. He probably left his cargo of
cocktails, cobblers and beers in some
dark alley, as he staggered homeward,
but the reaction is dreadful. But, after
pouring couple of quarts of seltzer down
his red.hot, kissing throat, and suffering
through the forenoon. nature triumphs,
and by dinner time he feels symptoms
of an appetite. He thinks that he will
never, never drink again-but he will.
The recollection of his headache and dis
gust grow DINNER and DINNER as the
weeks go by, until, finally, when out on
"bum" with some registering good fel-
lows, he is induced to drink again, to
avoid ridicule, and history repeats itself.
Many a drunkard has been made by the
ieers of thoughtless young men, who re-
sent the call for lemonade as an indig-
nifty to the party. And 50 the occasional
drunkard is liable to become an habitual
or periodical drunkard.
REGULAR DRINKERS AND DRUSKARDs.
Many men are 20 wonderfully and
feariully made as to seem impervious to
alcohol. They drink heavily and steadi-
ly for years without coming to the stagger-
ing point, and always keeping the
intellect unclouded. Stomach, brain
and nervous system seem proof against
assault, and they go on from year to year
with appetites unimpaired, Furnishing
their regular quart of beverage every day.
These favored mortals have a lofty sort
of pity for others who are incapacitated
from business by drinking. "Why don't
you do like me-" they will say. "Now,
take few drinks every day; but when
find | am getting too much quit. "
and so it lsoks. But follow one of these
regular drinkers TO the end. Some
morning he gets up with consciousness
that something is wrong with him. He
tries his accustomed "eye-opener," but
it don't 90 to the spot. He don't know
what is the matter with him, Like a
stroke of lightning comes an apopleptic
attack, and his funeralislargely attended,
the subjects of his advice being chief
mourners.
PERIODICAL DRuskARDs.
The periodical drunkard is a very com
mon manifestation of the disease. His
dcbauches are interspersed with periods,
longer or shorter of total abstinence,
during which appetite is lying dormant.
lie believes that each spree in his last,
but after having gone from one to six
months without drink, the dormant appe
tite suddenly becomes active, and he fall
again. The periodical drunkard has
control of himself only so far as taking
the first glass is concerned. To that ex
tent he is free agent But after thai
he is helpless. If the mouth of hel
yawned before him, and he knew that h,
would tumble in the moment after swal
lowing the liquor in his hand, he woulC
drink it. Having once broken through
his good resolution, he drinks and drink
until his debauch is over, and then h
reforms"
DgrSEESSEss A DISEASE.
II is now the opinion OF well-educate'
medical men that drunkenness is AS mucl
disease as sof,ening Of the brain. Tn
continued use of alcohol weakens am
breaks down the brain cells 10 such al
extent as to destroy the patients capacit,
for selfgoyernment The various inc
briate asylums are conducted ON thi
theory. The patient voluntarily submit
himself to restraint until such time a'
by abstinence, healthy diet, exercise AN
abundance Of sleep, he is able to wal
alone. The treatment is good tor III
!, Irregular drinker, but ohers nothing for th
periodical drunkard.