The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1885-08-20
TEMPERANCE READING.
A SCIENTIFIC VIEW.

and Nervous System-The Four Stages
Of Alcoholic Disease-The Horrors of De-
lirium Tremens.
In one of series OF articles by Prof.
A. b. Palmer. NJ. D., LII. d., in THE
Wide A,0ake, the writer says:
Tie strong resemblance between the
narcosis OF alcohol and that of chloro-
form or ether is apparent; but that Of
alcohol is much more likely to become
habitual. The essential character of
the condition is so similar that the same
terms may be applied to each. If
chloroform is a narcotic, so is alcohol;
if one is depres, sing, lethal agent. so
is the other. If chloroform is poison.
so is alcohol The greatest difference
in their immediate action is, that the
chloroform is more speedy in its effects
AID sooner over; and its secondary con-
sequences are less severe.
But in studying the effects of alcohol
ON the brain and nervous system we
must 60 beyond the speedy action of .
single or few doses, and consider the
more important. because the more
permanent, effects of its continued use
These effects are varied by the quantity
used, the length of time it is continued,
and by the temperament and power of
endurance of the drinker.
In its habitual use, four stages of al
coholic change are recognized, CORE
spending in many respects with the
four acute stages that have been de-
scrbed.
There is mild first stage where only
small quantities are used, as where an
occasional glass of light wine or beer il
taken with the meals, and where such
limits are not exceeded. In this the
condition of the brain and nerves is but
little changed from the physiological or
natural state.
There is second stage where a
change from the normal state is more
percept ble-where the force and regu-
larity OF brain and nerve action is I'M
paired, but not in any extreme degree;
but where the tone of the intellectual,
and particularly of the moral, character
is lowered, but yet where the subject of
it Is not regarded as a druukard.
There is third stage where there is
unquestionable intempcrauce or ine-
briefly where the subject is called a
"hard drinker" or ''drunkard' accord
ing to the degree of indulgence; and
there is still more advanced or fourth
stage. where the victim is complete
sot, given up to continued and extreme
indulgence, whenever the means are
within his reach. where there is the
greatest debasement, physical, menta,
and moral, where there Is advanced al
; coholism or alcoholic disease, where the
wretched victim is tottering on the
verge of destruction, unfit for any usefu
occupation or respectable association
a disgrace to himself and friends, and ,
nuisance to all about him. These stages
shade off into each other with no alb
rupt line of demarkation, but are differ
! ent degrees of the one general process
, Of abnormal change.
~ are ready to admit the very great
the almost inexpressible, evils to thu
brain and nerves of individuals, to tn,
, happiness of families, to the interest
OF communities and the country, of tn,
, third and fourth stages of habitual alec
holic indulgence. The changes of tn
brain usually discoverable in its struct
ure, but which more certainly exist il
its functions in its actions and tenden
cies-are most profound; and are all il
J the direction of physical, mental AM
moral degradation.
The structure Of the brain is changes
in various ways from its normal state
J 1t is sometimes hardened from the in
crease Of its connective tissue, an,
sometimes sOftened from form of fat
, ty change; and in both cases the prop
! er brain cells-the seat of cerebral &C
tion-of physical and mental power
i are more or less diminished in number
altered in structure, and impaired in &C
) tivity. The vessels are often found de
generated, and are liable to great dis
tention and rupture, constituting conges
ton and apoplexy. The membranes Q
the brain are often found intlamed an,
thickened, their transparency and plia
bility impaired-and, in short, tn
whole organ is degenerated, enfeeble
and perverted.
+ Under the immediate effect Of tn
? liquor the drunkard is regardless of hi
: duties and obligations to himself, hi
family and to society. He is inefficient
! improvident. unthrifty, unreliabl,
!, often violent, dangerous and crimina
|. When deprived of his accustome
: dram, he is morose, respondent an
often unendurably wretched. with era,
|, ing for the liquor, which in the perver
ed state of his brain is irresistible. Hi
=. depression and despair sometimes lea
! to suicide, preceded, it may he, by tn
= murder Of his family, with the motiy
= of relieving himself and them frol
! their living death. Mingled with tn
! despair are often fits of fury whic
! the drink excites, and his causeless an
q unreasoning vengeance may be intlic
: ed Unfortunately on himself, his fan
ily. his friends, or strangers, as well {
= on imagined or real foes. In man
= cases nothing is too absurd or too d.
= PRAYED for him to do. and no sufferin
. ia too severe for him to endure.
: The drink which for time relieve
!. his agony, at length fails to do so unle;
v carried to the extent of stupefactid
= and Inconsistencies. This quantity
A therefore taken. and this increasing il
- diligence, if it does not induce soOnt
! some fatal form of disease. brings hi
" to the fourth and extreme stage {
.. habitual drunkenness. which. thong
!, !. il sometimes is endured for a conside
n able period, usually soon results
= death.
IS Besides rendering other diseases an
accidents nuch more savara and fata