New-York tribune., 1876-09-30
1vERJCdY MkDICAL ASSOCIATION


began its annual session in Philadelphia this
week, but has attracted less attention than
usual, being crowded out of sight by the
uoisier events of the time. Yet, after all
whether the Exposition is a success or Hell
Gate is opened is question which may be OF
less real importance to the generations which
will follow us than the results of the coglta-
tions of this dozen or two quiet gentlemen IN
by-street of the Quaker City. We have
brought before our readers from time to time
the theory upon which medical systems for tho
cure of drunkenness are based. 1t Is explained
forcibIy and clearly in p paper read before the
opening of the convention.
Inebricty is one manifestation of cerebrO-
physical disorder, just as epilepsy Is another,
with distinct duration, mortality, and prog
nosis. Ten years is usually the limit of tine
after its development in which it results
fatally OF late years, DR.. CrOthers asserts
that this disease takes less time TO do Its
deadly work, owing to the increase of Inherited
degenerations, irregular work, the extremes OF
luxurious ard poor living, unhealthy brain
work, and other means, which lower Vitality
It is most difficult to overcome Gin persons
" who have other nervous or cerebral disor-
"trained win power and limited educa-
ton, in paroxysmal drinkers, in those
"whO smoke or chew excessively, or when
:" it originates in some INJURY 10 the
brain, or appears suddenly without any par
:" "ticular cause" The mortality of inebriety
EQUALS that of the most fItal diseases, but un-
der proper treatment at aSylums the recover
les NAV exceed those of any other cercbra or
nervous affection. Other papers were read in
proof of the fact that inebricty was frequently
a matter of hcredity, as is consumption, the
mOrbiic force causing 1t taking sometimes the
shape of epilepsy or hysteria in one child and
drunkenness in another The producing cause
is most frequently habit of moderate drink
ing in father or grandfather.
Temperance and the ravages of drunken
ness have of late years become distaStetu
subjects among people who assume GER
tain degree of refinement They are not
fanatics. The violence of temperance reform
ers disgusts them. They are able to take their
glass of wine without degenerating into beasts,
and there is no reason why everybody should
not do the same. If they cannot why-and
shrug of the shoulders ends the discussion.
Meanwhile one-fftk of the deaths IN the
country may be traced directly or indirectly
to inebriety. and one-half tho murders and
other crimes which fill our prisons and jails
are due to the same cause Yet so strong
the distaste to arguing the question that even
by prison reformers the subject is virtually
ignored. The mistake appears to us to have
been in urging drunkenness as crime and
temperance as q virtue. That is only one side
of the question. The one is also disease and
the other a necessary precaution to save me-
IL the young lad starting out in life, and the
mother who follows him with cntreaties and
prayers, understood that the glass of liquor In
his case was not only moral delinquency but
step toward suicide, just as dangerous as
| exposure to cold would be to consumptiye,
his danger would be lessened one half. No
man is ashamed to protect weak body, but
he rrlshcs into temptation to prove his power
of resistance as stIong as his neighbors. we
are glad to find from the reports of the assc-
citation that their rational method of meeting
this foremost evil of our time is so fast gam
ing the approval of the public