Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-11-27
CURING HARD DRINKERS.
A Philadelphia woman's Wonderful
Success in tho Treatment OF
Victims of Alcohol.

'
forms of treatment have been Offered
as the best and safest, but as yet there
has been no specific remedy accepted
by the world. The poor hummer whC
Is whirled to the station-house in 6
patrol-wagon with his brain muidlet
with 5 cent rum, lies in his cell al
night, and goes to Moyamensine
prison the next morning. Unless he i,
actually attacked with dclirium tremen;
he is allowed to suffer the fortunes o.
the damned unattended by doctor OF
nurse until turned out If he has be.
come a nuisance to the policemen the
hummer may be sent TO the house oil
correction. There the doctor dos =
him with bromide OF potassium until
his nerves are claimed, and Il few weeks
work in the quarry makes a new man
of him. There are retreats and sanitari-
ums and reiormatory homes by the
score in and about the city for inebri-
ates of social standing and wealth, aud
the hosp tails care Tor the unfortunateS
who may be brought to them, but IN all
of them the attendance is furnished by
men. In but one instance is the physi-
cal care of drunken creatures deyolved
upon women.
St Joseph's hospital. situated at
Seventeenth street and Girard avenue,
is well-known institution, but few are
familiar with the deparlm ut set aside
for the cure and treatment of rum VIC
tins. 1t has Eeen in existence for nine
years. under the supervision of Sister
Baptista, whose success has been re-
markabIe. Within the past two wears
although hundreds of men have been
under her charge, from the ravin@
maniac in the agony of del rum 10 the
harmless topper whose mind is incapa-
bic OF frenzy, not death has occurred.
The department consists of twenty
large, bright and airy rooms. and Is
comfortably furnished, with cheerful
Lining, reading. and smoking rooms.
Appl cation for admiSs on is made TO
the mother superior, but Sister Bap.
tista has the department under her SUI
preme control. Each patient is placed
In her charge Immediately on entering
the hospital, and she at once assigns
him to 4 room. makes thorough dag
nosis of his case. and studies his tenn
permanent, in order TO understand not
only how to treat, but also how to con-
irol him in his abnormal condition.
From Information and personal obser-
Walton the sister decides upon the man.
ngement of each particular case. 10
this is largely due the wonderful sue
cess that has attended her labors. 1t is
desperate case that under Sister Bap- |
tista's care and management is not |
comfortable within week. The pre-
lminary steps taken she proceeds with |
the medical treatment. keeping careful |
watch over patients who have reached |
u dangerous age and are wild and /
Eighty. The first object is to secure |
the patient sleep and rest With sleep, /
even though induced by opiates, the |
danger line is passed. and then the
work OF toning up the nervous system
and strengthening the stomach begins.
Sister Baptista has reduced this portion
oil the treatment to perfection. As soon
as she considers it safe the patient is
offered light and nourishing SOUPS,
cruel, or beef tea. but they are not
forced on him, If he declines one
another is placed before. him, and if
that fails to tempt his appetite still
another, and so on until something is
found that his stomach responds to and
will retain.
After the first successful attempt the
appetite grows rapidly and the digest
i've organs resume their functions.
Then the patient begins to look aud
feel like himself, and generally within
two weeks can do full jussce to three
meals day. with an occasional lunch
con thrown in. Absolute recovery de-
ponds in n great measure upon the con-
stitution and will-power of the man.
The names and identity Of patients are
sealed from the outside world. but re-
cent patient gives some interesting in.
cidents of the daily life of the depart
ment.
ut was astonishing and often anus
ing, said he, Ito see the wonderful
control Sister BaptiSta obtained over
patients whose brains were rackcd bv
long dissipation and who would run IN
lear from their relatives and friends.
have seen patients of this kind whom
mo strong watchmen could not force
INTO their room, at word from this
ieilcate little woman quietly 90 to their ,
beds aud beg the sister not to lock
hem up.
I'm their preliminary treatment pa /
tents are given quor at intervals. and ,
{ Is pitiabe to listen to their pleadings =
or an extra allowance. and the arrit- ,
nents with with which they besjege the ,
lister. She listens to them patiently.
'easons with them good naturedly. but :
be extra ration never follows unless i. /,
$ apparent that it is Il necessity. :
81 here are not n few who have been :
sent out by Sister Baptista restored TO /
health and recouped for the dut es of J,
lie more than once TO have them re- !
arm in a few months or a year. ara .
wrecked by rum. A well-known and :
prosperous business man periodically +
'nters the retreat when liquor has the .
rest ot him. IN few days RECEIVERS his q
appetite and senses. and returns to his !,
amlly. A singular case is that of the !,
lead of a leading Philadelphia indus !
ry, whom / saw there conyalescing !,
rom the alcoholic malaiy. When he
'ecame rational and was on the high
Dad 10 complete restoration. his wife.
Who had deyotedly watched his treat
nent, one morning insisted that he re- ,
urn home. as his largo business de-
handed his attention. 1t was against
sister Baptista's Judgment and advice.
IS she was afraid he was not strong