Wessington Springs herald. (Wessington Springs, Aurora County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1891, 1885-07-31
EDITED BY Mrs. L. v. MILES.
Mental Contagion in 1nehriety.
tContinued.1

Mental ontagion in 1nes,riety.
[Continued.l
r. ID. Crothers: Such men always
gather around them a class OF less pos
tive minds, who are attracted at first
by curiosity or some selfish interest,
and ooner or later become copies and
reflexes, These contagious inebriates
are frequently apparent types of health
and ambition, active men of the world,
but when closely studied exhibit ma
MAS Of expensive, extravaganza nature
that are depressed by a very slight cur
rent of events. AS brokers or mer-
chants they are centers Of every new
movement, with boundless confidence
and hope; as professional mel they are
agitators andinnovators: as politicians
they are working on new lines and by
new methods. Such men have a short
career, and disappear either in hospit-
ais as chronic cases, OF from death by
i~nter-current disease.
The class Of cases who are made inc
briates by the %contagion of this form
OF inebriety are equally distinct. They
1yepresent the ambitious poor, and the
wealthy idler of society, often men Of
some genius and character, but always
Of weak, emotional natures. AS poor
ambitious boys and men, their ideal of
wealth andpower are changeable and
guided by nU{ixed conceptions Of the
means Of attaining these ends. Hence
they are attracted by every current Of
influence whichSseems to promise this
object. Possessing unstable nerve Or
CARNATIONS they become followers and
imitators of every human embodiment
of power andcondition increasing their
happiness. AS wealthy idlers they are
attracted by the dash and Stir of the
surroundings of these contagious inc
briates, and, like others are soon imita-
tors or followers. fmbibihg all their
decisions with the vague notions Nof
increased pleasure and happiness, they
are devotees Of the most abiect charac-
ter.
The following are some Of this class:
A was a manufacturer who owned a
valuable patent, and was Supposed to
be a man Of great prospective wealth
and influence. He was an impulsive
inebriate, acting with feverish delusive
energy. For years he was the center
of a large circle who all became inc
briates from mental contagion Of his
conduct and Personal influence. B was
aphysician;a and inebriate, with emphat-
ic mahners and strong emotions who
moved into a quiet New England vii
lage. He soon took a leading place,
and drew around him a class Of follow
ers who all became inebriates, follow.
ing his manners and conduct with sin
gular fidelity.
These are mere outline Of cases that
are not uncommon, and are clear when
explamples of mental contagion, exam
Piles of diseased states and, impulses
communicated to another, finaihg suit
able soil and growing rapidly to matu-
rity. The second class Of cases who
are sources of contagion and infect a
certain numbsr Of cases about them
with a similar disease are the regular
and so-called moderate drinkers. They
are the ideal drinkers who are held up
as examples in many ways in every
community. Often they occupy places
Of wealth and power and Influence and
are emphatic in denouncing inebriety
in others, and generally condemn TEN.
perance efforts. They are the champi.
ons Of the moderate use Of spirits and
appear at club house dinners and on
all social occasions, drinking moder.
ately and often exhibiting intellectual
%briliancy and power supposed to come
from alcohol: Studied closely they are
seen to be.as clearly 'inebriates as any
Eother class only the delnsions of thu
brain and organic degenerations art
masked ana concealed. Their health
is a delusion but tenaciously urged
They are noted as drinking but neve1
intoxicated. These men+scatter a pos
tive %contagion by. precept and conta
Hgion by precept and example. The!
infect the previously temperate over
worked business Of professional mel
who adopt his mode. of living and a
once become inebriates.
The following are examples: A pop
ulars clergyman became a moderate
dIinler, and defended his position will
la great show of. reason and earnestness
His example and precious reasoning
drew into his circle a large number o
persons who eventually became inebri
ates-persons who became infected an
could not stop where he did. His con
duct broke UP the church Organization
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