Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-07-24
TEMPERANCE.
This column is Gegptod To the interests of
is edited by the Ladies OF the Women's Chris
tan Temperance Union.3 |
Mental Contagion in 1nebriety.
Ep1Ysp ry MRS. L. V. MILES.

7. d. Crothers. NJ. d.. Hartford, Coma.
in The October number Oh The Alien
list and Neurologist / presented the re-
suits Of some studies OF this subject
which have attracted much attention
and were undoubtedly the first effort to
explain on Il scientific bssis the phe-
nomina OF the spread of inebriety by
mental contagion and personal influ-
ence. 1t is apparent from the large
numbers OF letters received from Others,
With notes Of cases and opinions con-
tirming the conclusions reached that
the subject has been suggested to many
thoughtful men Of the profession he
fore, and my paper simply organized
and grouped the facts within the OBJ
%servation and experience Of others. l.
proposed in the note to present some
additional facts and conclusions for
the purpose Of 'stimulating further in
quiry in this most fascinating field of
chemical psychology. In every circle
Of life examples may be found OF one
mind dominating over another, project
ing its motives, impulses, and general
line Of conduct until one is 4 copy or
imitator Of the ether. Among students
of medical colleges there will always
beeNamples where theConduct, manner,
and forms of expression, and many
marked personalities Of the professors
4 arD rnnrnl1cnI ~, +h n ct nd c,n4c ,,,rt;1,
larry in the private students of physi-
clans who have strong Municipalities.
This mental contagion or projection OF
I, thought; conduct and motive from one
to another, is more Or less permanent
and wherethe medical teacher is known
to the observer the infected student
can be distinguished long after, al
though far removed from the source of
contagion. The same thing may be
studied among clergymen of large per-
sonal influence. The thoughts and rea-
!. son of a large part Of the congregation
! are but the reelection Of the clergyman's
personal views. Often peculiar ideas
have an undisputed existence in his
circle that come from this literal men
tai contagion. The decisions Of the
insane are often projected from one to
another and many instances are on rec
ord of entire families, otherwise sane,
!, who are infected With decisions of
some member who is insane. Among
the same in every day life, how often
it is possible to trace the growth of er-
ror to a mental contagion from some
;, strong impulsive brain power that
domineers OF projects itself on others.
AS in the contagion Of smallpox, yell
low fever of cholera, favoring condi-
tions of soil must exist for the recep-
ton, nurture and growth Of these men
e tai contagious. The n who is the
source Of contagion must have some
l degree Of emphatic nerve force which
%infects the other, who may be wanting
this. and possess some unstable and I'm
| certain BRAIN organism. The early his
5 tory Of many cases OF inebrlety afford
| striking examples Of mental contagion.
The victim %frequents bad company,
/ and is inAuencedby inebriates, strange
ly, and to his great disadvantage. TO
call it q vice implies the exploded dog
: ma of free-wlll, which is most effect
| ually contradicted in experience, and
the very few cases Which are ever able
to use the will to recover. To say that
| this is mental contaglon indicates the
{ operation Of both physiological and
psychological laws, in accord with the
!. order Of nature and in the province of
science to reveal and remedy. Any
careful study Of a number cases of inc
briefly Will show that causation came
direct through the influence and conta-
} gion Of another. Men previously tenn
perate are as positively infected by the
mental c%ontagion Of an inebriate as
J. they would be from the germ of small
; poX. Without doubt those who are in
fected from this contagion have some
peculiar susceptible nerve organiza-
ton, either inherited or acquired, and
may be in many cases lacking in vigor
or health. Hence these forces of mind
over mind are more potent and find a
ready soil for their growth and deyel-
opment.
A group of inebriates, who often
cause inebriety in others, may be term
ed. the impulsive, irregular inebriate,
persons whose drinking varies from
: great extremes at times to a regular
moderate use daily, who may abstain
: for a time ard appear to have more on
less control over IhaDlSo yes. ard are
noted for their positive emotional ma
. sure, and large ~Qol1inoeEing egotjsm
with emphatic l4anltera- Those McI
ore found In politics and oenteTs O.
: Fo@eg, and are frequently wealthy, and
=, often Occupy important positions az
: professional men and readers. @ttsa
= they are full OF dolusion5 and Oh the
: i1Drlarc nj nlqn;a whan nsinw NlnDlr2