Sacramento daily record-union. [volume] (Sacramento [Calif.]) 1875-1891, 1884-06-07
Moderate Drinking.

There are found in all parts of the coun-
try men and women who use alcohol regu-
larly and in limited quantities. To the
casual observer they go ON for years in this
state and are apparently no worse, and
finally die at last of some common disease,
leaving the reputation of having lived
what the inebriate would call an Ideal
life" of moderate drinking. Why they
drink is not clear If they have any rea-
sons it is always sustained by their IN
bounded faith in the capacity to abstain at
any time at will. These cases are inebri-
ates in every respect, except in the promi-
hence and intensity of the symptoms
There is no difference between the chronic
case of the lowest type and the highly re
spectacle moderate drinker, except one OF
degree.
Both are suffering from positive ply
steal disease In one case the disorder Is
developed in the other it is in the incip-
lent stage. In the latter, from some OBJ
scure reason, the case never goes on 10 full
development, but is always on the border
land, awaiting the action of some exciting
cause which may or may not -be applied.
a repelling power exists, which builds up
and neutralizcs the injuries received from
alcohol TO a certain extent. II is not will
power which makes the difference between
the ineDriate and moderate drinker. 1t is
physiological and pathological conditions
Of the BRAIN which the possesSOr ascrbss
TO Will power. Alcohol cannot be used Il
moderation without grave injuries 10 the
nerve centcrs.
The moderate drinker is always diseased,
although to the non-cxpert there are 30
clear symptoms or coarse lessons that o=l;,
be seen. A careful study will reveal ply
sicalliy an irritable condition of the hear,
with stomach and digestive troubles, $50
changing and disordered functional activ-
ity Of all the organs, at times. Psychically
the disposition, habits, temper and mental
state slowly and gradually degenerate anc
become more unstable. The higher mental
forces drop down or give place TO Lover
motives and ambitions. No matter what
his position OF life may be, or his objects or
plans, the moderate use OF alcohol VIII
alter and brcal: down both physical energy
and prcCipitate destruction Moderate
users Of alcohol always die from diseases
provoked and stimulated by this drag.
They always transmit legacy Of defective
cell energy and exhaustion, which most
readily finds relief in any alcohol or Ell.--
cotic
But only q small per cent. of moderate
drinkers remain so until death. The 0ls
ease goes on to full development IL IN
cbriety in q vast majority Of cases. The
boosted viii power 10 stop at all times IS
pnworlesS before IT'S peculiar exciting cause.
Those who nevor go beyond this moderate
use have simply never been exposed 70 this
peculiar exciting cause. The moderate
use Of spirits for g life time is 4 mere acoi-
dent in the order Of nature. and the ability
to stop resting in the viii power is pope
lar fallacy. A certain number Of cases
have signs Of iucipicnt phthisis, which may
never burst out into the full disease, 4
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 de-
ductions can be drawn.
Moderate drinking that does not 60 On to
inebrietv is also the exception. The chain
of exciting causes that bring or these ex-
treme 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 inebrety IL Of
she utmost value in the treatment. here
remedial measures can be made of the
greatest avail in checking and preventing
any further progress Of the disease When
inebriety is fully recognized as q diseased
condition, requiring study and medical
care, this prodrOmic period OF moderate
drinking viii receive the attention il de-
serves.
In the mean time, as scientific men, We
must continue to call attention to this early
beginning Of ineDriety, so fuli of indications
and hints. of the fnarch Of the disease,
whose progress and termination can often
be predicted with positive certainty
rJolrral of Inebriety