Litchfield enquirer., 1877-09-20
~PER,oDtcAL DRuNkARps:: :.

PeRlODtCAG UWOWNAROSs
 There is a class of inebriates called sspetiodical drunkards." " v, to whom I can
 make a few suggestions which at least will do no harm. I believe that it is ac knowledged by the medical fraternity that
 it is more difficult to effect permanent cure among the members of this division than any other, and superintendents of | asylnms have lately paid especial atten- ti0n' to the cure of these individuals.
 These people, after a debauch' which
 has temporarily exhausted them. suffer severely and then are totally abstlnent for
 periods ranging from three months to a
 year and sometimes even longer. oAppar--t ently during these intervals they are en-
 tirely free, from their appetite for stimu- lants. have in my, mind this moment
 the case of an acquaintance of many years
 in Boston. se He has at times gone year hoat. tasting one drop of alcohol. but usually he would. go about four months
 and then suddenly plunge into debanch lasting about two thxhe rosks, during
 which he would bury himself at homo and give, free rein to his passions. He would
 at this time eat but the smallest quantities.
 but drink incredible amounts Of liquor
 His condition was beastly in the extreme. This he would continue until it would seem that his vital powers must succumb,
 when he would all at once jump from his
 bed, gather everything in the shape of
 bottles, decanters. and demijohns and
 throw them, with their contents, from, the
 window with frenzied strength. Then
 would ensue an experience of suffering that eau only be understood by hard drinkers. He would pace the floor until
 ov hon nI1SooA iv,ok kal lso
 ments of sleep he might gain, when he
 would dart from his bed with most fright ful cries. Hissstrength at this time would
 be almost superhuman. All that medical skill could provide was absolutely neces. sary to save his life. This agony would not end under two weeks The amount of physical and mental anguish compassed in these hours would apall the most most foolhardy. Finally, in one of these experi- ences, he was carried to an inebriate asyl-
 um, where his case was made an especial study by the superintendent In describ. ing his situation he informed the doctor that at the end of few months he was seized with an intolerable longing for something to drink, and had always strug. gled against it with all his strength, and would strive to appease his appetite by using da-water, sarsaparilla, ginger ale, and other apparently harmless beverages; these only made his appetite the more in. sufferable. At these times the carbonlc acid gas generated in a bottle of soda water was as inhammatorY to his morbid appetite as the same amount of whisky would be to ordinary people. The will power of the man was completely snspend- ed; it was as impossible for him to resist successfully as it would be for man to walk after the amputation of both legs. He was sent from the institution with carefully prepared warnings, instructed to not touch any of these drinks, and at the first appearance of this craving for drink to come at once at the asylum It was about four months after his that one even. ing the physician's bell rang violently. and upon the opening of the door. my friend, with a ''thank God am safe at last, fell fainting on the floor. He had como nearly one hundred miles to be saw ed. For three days be hoyered around the doctor in childish fear--he would hardly permit him out of his sigh. He was given proper medical treatment dur ! ing this time, and, when the violence of his appetite had ceased, was sent again into the world; but always with the heav- enly invitation, Come to me when you need help." from the superintendent. His next appearance was in about three months. He was nearly prostrated, but in such acute suffering as before. "Oh !" he cried, "why should be thus pursued by this demon | Before, all the sacred powers, l mean never to drink any more" "Cheer up, my poor friend" the doctor says; "the discipline you now are endur- ing will make of you @ man, the superior of any of those less tried. Only keep your heart where it now is, and come to me. and you shall be saved" Many times after this was he compelled to take refuge there, but with less frequency each time. Every time he resisted his strength in- creased. At last he conquered. It is now nearly tour years since hs has tasted of intoxicants. He has no particular desire for them. andihis will-power has grown so that he can rapidly resist any tempta- tions that may occur. If you wish to see our doctors eyes light up with jastifiable pride, get him to relate this case to you. What these people want is strong post that they can hold on to during the vio- I lence of the winds, harbor to put into l until the rage of storm which would wreck them Is over. know of numbers in this | state who are afflicted in this manner, and, should any of them road this article, | let me beg of them to try the experiment. I do not believe there is a man amongst | any class of drinkers but what can be sav- ed, if he himself earnestly and sincerely | desires 1t. There may be cases where the | will power cannot be built up among those far advanced in life. and there are undoubtedly extreme cases where there is not sufficient vitality remaining in the l system to withstand the shock of break | ing off. For these your remaining duty | is to see to their souls. Your regrets for I them will soon be uttered at their tombs. 1
 Society owes to humanity duty of the 1 highest importance. The lady who at her table or sideboard offers glass of wine 1 to reformed man commits a serious | crime in the sight of God and man. Hun dreds of men have been turned back into l intemperance by the pressure of though ] less. women. Madam, do you know that 1 a thimbleful of aicohol if1 the mouth of | one of these man will indame his every passion for drink, suspend his will power | and surely sink him lower than he has ev- l CT been before? One glass of champagne l will awaken all the heilish fires of his 0ona- position. It is useless for him to resist l after that one drink of wine, and he may | as well swallow brandy until he is stupifi- cd now as it save time and the horrors of | struggling against his appetite. 1t cannot | be done One who has drunk deep and | stopped Yscannoti contend successfully | against, his cravings when they are once l more aroused. The longer has been his abstinence the less capable his system is | of receiving the slightest stimulant. To | one of these you would be equally justif- ed in rendering a cup of poison. Your crime would. be as pardonable- and here
 
 beer is equally dangerous. In 1870 in ! some property was brought in contact with one of the smallest real | estate brokers m Boston. We had accom- pished our business. was pleased with | my bargain. It was on one of the hottest days in June. and as we passed along the street we came to 2 lager beer saloon. I | invited him in. He hesitate, but went. f It was certainly very refreshing, out of the sun, onsa shot day. with the mercury ! in the nineties, in an adorned beer gar-