The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1878-06-16

The Diseased Passion for Ardent Spirits.
From numbers OF sufferers through the
passion for spirituous drink. we receive letter.
like the following:

The Diseased Passion for Ardent Spirits.
From numbers OF sufferers through the
passion for spirituous drink. we receive letters
like the following:
sra used to drink hard, scarce 70 drunkenness
em' e0nS,ay 70 ,on.lnnf y am trying
ribe gnawing yesrning goadig desire Tor drink attacks
sSedisn, Tia, win tdc me over such attacks am
Uc 40 vn nc u he name III S no
humanity. rcpublish them or give their date Don't say
Know ney they don Sep hnd Gcn ,s
me 70 take waterman Tor Y for have tried that and 1t is
Ny business requires my constant attentions my family
cannot stop and he treated or days aud weeks in
power and strength to overcome this al ca and
demand of my system Tor stiinulants
tally viii Fry 10 help sorslS irieS man, Who Wants
10 help himself T. '. VI.
This writer. like many others. has made a
mistake. We have not at any time given re-
cipc which is an efTcctual substitute for the
alcoholic stimulant. There are certain tonic
and carmnative remedies which may be used
to aid in the work Of self-curc. but this must
be effected principally by the exercise of the
sufferers will in abstaining totally from all
strong liquors. wines. and beer. We do not be-
liovo that any physician can furnish q
prescription which will cure n man OF the
desire for strong drink. Some physicians pre-
scribe broken doses Of tartar cmetic in tho
favoritc liquor Of the dipsOmaniac patient to
create disgust, but they admit that the disgust
Is only temporary. Stil n heroic man will
resort to this temporary disgust. provided he
finds it necessary In tue commencement Of his
sci-trcatmcnt.
All drinking men say that the imperative
and uncomfortable thirst for drink is always
preceded by nervous depression and a sense
Of uneasincss. particularly ut the pit Of the
stomach. and frequently extending to the
hypogastric region. At that stage some sup
port must be given 10 the system. The hot
air bath. when possible. or simple warm
bath. is recommended Mt this stage Strong
coffee made in French percolator in the
proportion Of two heapng tabc-spoonfuls Of
the roasted ground berry to half pint or me-
dium-siled teacup of boiling hot water is the
best and safest stimulant II should be taken
on an empty stomach and without sugar or
cream. and repeated every half hour until the
stimulant effect is observed. Where the nervous
depression is very great. three-grain doses OF
quinine may be given every two hours until
nine grains have been taken. When the coffee
creates dyspepsia it will not do 10 use IL except
At the time OF the attack Extract Of beef. taken
as a warm or cold beverage. and seasoned with
celery salt is one Of the best stimulants to ward
ofl the attack.
Many physicians have expressed their APP
probation Of the following tonic carmin-
alive: Sulpha,c Of iron five grains. pepper
mint water eleven drachms. extract Of ginger
one drachm; take one tablespoonful Of this
mixture. well shaken night and morning.
The iron tones up the system. the peppermint
strengthens the stomach. aud the extract II
ginger III must not be a tincture made with
alcohol. but n simple. very strong ginger
j. tlv = Ia.
dsordered nerves for tho time. The gin
ger must be omitted rs soon as possible. At
the height Of the attack a few drops Of aqua
ammonia. or hnrtsnorn. may be- added % each
tea-pooufui Of the above mixture. This tonic.
like all others. should be taken for not more
than ten consecutive days or two weeks AZ a
time; II fulness Of the head is produced by
the iron in n few days stop until il subsidies.
Nor should this tonic be rcsorted 10 again. un-
less there is u recurrence Of the first symptoms.
In the mean time. the Use ~ tobacco. in every
form. must Doe avoided. Tho latc Dr. Chapman
is authority for the assertion that delirium tre-
mems. with all its essential features. Is some
times caused by the use Of tobacco. It's use
certainly Injuries tho digestion and tho
nervous system. and prcdisposes 10 the
taste for strong drink. All spices and highly
seasoned food must be given up Salt fish and
salt meats. all articles Of food which pro-
woke thirst. must also hc avoided. The diet
must be nutritious and simple. Fruits and par
ti'ularly apples. are recommended. The habit
ual use # tea and coffee must Dee abandoned.
Temptation in every form must be stunned.
Dinner parties. balls, clubs. and all social gath
orines whore drinking is INDUCED in. must
bee eschowed The mind, however. must be
kept cheerful ly all nmuscmenis which will not
lead 10 temptation. such rs theatres. lectures.
readings. and the society Of such intimate
friends rs know the weakness 81 the sufferer.
and will not offer nor urge the social glass.
Whatever may be the occupation of a man so
tempted rs L. V. NJ. he should find time for
mental cultivation, not only 10y reading but by
study II such an absorbing nature as TO take
the mind captive and prevent the intellect from
growing dull from want u exercise. His gene
raj reading should be 81 cheerful char
acter II relapse occurs neither the
dipsomaniac nor his friends should de-
spair. We have had two cases come under
our own obs rrvation Of men who were hard
drinkers and who after several rclapses. finally
conquered. ana are now in lucrative and pleas
ant business, each supporting wife and a
family OF several children. and accumulating a
fair share Of this worlds goods.