The Press., 1883-11-29
EARLY STAGE OF isEBRIETY.

There are found in all parts of the coun- t1y men and women who use alcohol reg uiarly and in limited quantities. To the casual observer they go on for years ln this state and are apparently no worse, and H. nalIy die at last of some common disease, leaving the reputation of having lived what the inebriate would call an ''idsal hfe'' of moderate drinking Why they drink is not clear Ifthey have any reason, it Is always sustained by their unbounded faith ill the capacity to abstain at any time at will These cases arc inebriates in every respect, except in the prominence and in tensity of the symptoms. There IS no diff ference between the chronic case of the lowest type and the highly respectable, moderate thinker, except one of gree.
 Both are suffering from a positive phys ical disease In one case the disorder IS developed in the other it is in the incip- tent stage. h the latter, from some ob- scure reason, the case never goes on to full development but is always on the "bor- der land," awaiting the action Of some ex- citing cause, which may or may not be ap- piled. A repelling power exists, which builds up and neutralizes the injuries re- csivad from alcohol to a certain extent It is not will power which makes the diff ference between the inebriate and modar- ate drinker. It is physiological and path ological condition of the brain and nervous system, which the possessor ascribes to will power. Alcohol cannot be used in moderation without grave injuries to the rerve centers.
 The moderate dr2nker is always diseased although to the non-expert there are no clear symptoms or coarse lesions that can be seen. A careful study will reveal phys ically an irritable condition of the heart, ; with stomach and digestive troubles, also changing and disordered functional activ- ity of all the organs, at times. Psychical- ly the disposition, habits, temper, and mental state slowly and gradually degener- ate and become more unstable. The high CT mental forces drop down or give place to lower motives and ambitions. No mat ter what his position of life may be, or his objects or plans, the moderate use of alco- hol will alter and break down both phys ical and psychical energy and precipitate destruction. Moderate users of alcohol always die from diseases provoked and stimulated by this drug. They al- ways transmit legacy of defective cell en- ergy and exhaustion, which most readily finds relief in any alcohol or narcotic
 But only 8 small per cent. of moderate drinkers remain so until death. The dis ease goes on to full development in inc briety, in vast majority of cases. The boasted will power to stop at all times is powerless before its peculiar exciting cause Those who never go beyond this moderate use have simply never been exposed to this peculiar exciting cause. The moderate use of spirits for lifetime is a mere acci- dent in the order of nature, and the ability to stop. resting in the will power, is a pop ular fallaoy. A certain number of cases have signs of incipient phthists, which may never burst out into the full disease
 A small number of cases exposed to small pox. or any infectious disease. never take it but these are the rare exceptions, whose causes are unknown, from which no deduc tions can be drawn. Moderate drinking that does not go on to inebriety is also the exception. The chain of exciting causes that bring on these extreme stages may or may not be understood, but they always break out sooner or later in the history of the case. Practically the study of this early stage of inebriety is of the utmost value in the treatment. Here medical measures can be made of the greatest avail in checking and preventing any farther progress of the disease When inebriety IS fully recognized as 8 diseased condition. requiring study and medical care, this pro dromic period of moderate drinking will receive the attention 1t deserves
 In the mean time as scientific men, we must continue to call attention to this early beginning of inebriety, so full of indica- tlons and hints of the march of disease, whose progress and termination can often be predicted with positive certainty.- Journal of Naebriety