The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-01-29
THE "JAMS.o
A Scientific Description of the Deiirium
Tremens.


A Scientific Description of the Deiiriur
Tremens-
Many errocs are prevalent in the com
munity concerning delirium tremens, ant
very few people outside of the medica
profession have any knowledge of wha
constitutes true case, as the nature o
this much. dreaded disease is such as Il
necessitate an immediate removal to SOM
private or public institution. This re
moval is necessary for two reason: First
to insure that absolute control that coult
not be obtained in private residence
and second, to guard the patient from any
attempt to commit suicide. This seclu
sion and the fact that relatives anf
friends use their utmost endeavors to keel
the matter concealed prevent the cor
rection of these errors. The drama o
"Drink," recently performed at the Bos
ton Theatre, and which depicted the
evils of intemperance, was true to life in
most points, but was sadly deficient ir
one of its prominent features. However
as the public in general did not know
the difference between an actual and
supposed case of the tremens, it matter.
ed but little. Mr.. Keene did himself
credit throughout, with the exception oi
his impersonation of delirious inebriate
and in tue scene at the death. In this
the actor seemed to have little or no con-
ception of the different stages of the dis
ease, and his rawlings and contortions while
in the death struggle had but slight re-
semblauce to an actual death from this
cause. One popular error consists in
'supposing that delirium is produced by a
sudden abandoning or withdrawal of the
accustomed supply of stimulants. Such
is not the case. When the blood and
nervous system become impregnated with
alcoholic poison to a certain degree, then
a delirious condition will follow, whether
the person continues to drink or not.
Usually, when this state approaches, the
individual will, of his own accord, abandon
the use of intoxicants. Again, temper
ance lecturers frequently describe the
death of person from this disease, and
represents him as passing into eternity
Screaming for rum" Actual experience
with such cases contradicts their state
ments, it having been found that delir-
ious patients cannot be induced to par
take of liquor, and that they will often
refuse medicine until assured that it con-
tains no alcoholic stimulant. In former
times it was thought necessary to control
patients by force, and in institutions
they were strapped down in such man.
ner as to prevent the use of their limbs,
and kept so until the defirium subsided,
the time usually being from two to four
days. But science having revealed a bet
ter method of treatment, the strapping
process is discontinued and the delirium
is subdued in as many hours. 1t is fact
not generally known that after recovery
clear aud distinct recollection of every
word uttered in the presence of the pa
tient is so impressed upon his memory
that he is able to repeat them. He will
also remember every object that he saw
in Imagination, and give description of
it. Through the kindness of DR.. Day,
superintendent of the Washingtonian
Home, Al Walthams street, the writer had
an opportunity of observing a former &C.
quaintance who was suffering from se-
we're attack of tremens, and after recovery
had an interview with the individual,
gaining from him partial description of
his feelings, hallucinations and visions, or
optical illusions, which were substantial
ly as follows:
"Fred," asked the writer, "have you
any objection to relating your experience
for the past few days ?"
"No," he replied; "but then to give
you a complete description Of all 1 have
seen and heard during the short time you
mention would require considerable time,
and, if written, would make large vol
ume. However, I will give you some Of
my most prominent impressions while
delirious. "After period iof excessive
indulgence in into1icants 1 exhibited
symptoms of what is commonly called
the Jim-Jams.' Do you know the differ
ence between that condition and the tre-
mens?" he inquired, and on being an.
swered in the negative he said: "Well, to
explain it in the shortest manner, it is
the difference between imagination and
reality. In the former strange sights are
seen and familiar voices are heard, yet a
person knows that they exist only in i'm
agination. But in the latter they seem
a reality, and no amount of argument
can convince one to the contrary. Again,
in the latter there is no physical suffer
ing, no pain, and the patient persists in
believing himself to be perfectly WELL
1t was mostly to crafty my friends that
/ consented 10 become patient of DR.
Day. applied at the home for admit
tance, was pleasantly received, and, in
conversation with the doctor, explained
my situation, and also endeavored to
assure him that / was of sound mind and
in good physical condition. He did moi
dispute me, but, looking at me steadily
for moment, I noticed twinkling il
his eye that to me implied doubt of my
statement being correct. He assigned
me room in the hospital department o.
the institution, and here was where
my real troubles commenced. My sense
of hearing seemed to be stimulated to ar
unnatural degree, it being nothing diff
cult to hear persons conversing who were
miles distant-in imagination, Of course
and, what was more aggravating, theil
whole conversation consisted of abuse
of vilest nature. Others would whisper
in my ear and accuse me of the most afro
cious and horrible crimes imaginable
The walls the room seemed to be dec
GRATED with pictures, monstrosities o
every conceivable shape, animals of al
kinds and in all positions, and some O
them ready to spring upon and devour me
These pictures would change from time
to time, like the dissolving views of {
stereopticon, but seldom was there any
thing pleasant exhibited. l knew itwa
all imagination, although I could plainly
hear and see the things mentioned, ant
that knowledge enabled me to contro