The Kimball graphic. (Kimball, Brule County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1883-1905, 1886-12-10
CURING HARD DRINKERS.
A Philadelphia woman's Wonderful
Success In the Treatment of
Victims of Alcohol.

anu Is Stlll UNDETERMINED. various
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 who
is whirled to the station-house in a
patrol-wagon with his brain muddled
with cent rum, lies in his cell all
night, and goes to Moyamensing
prison the next morning. Unless he is
actually attacked with delirium tremens
he is allowed to suffer the tortures of
the damned unattended by doctor or
nurse until turned out If he has be-
come nuisance to the policemen the
hummer may be sent to the house of
correction. There the doctor doses
him with bromide of potassium until
his nerves are calmed, and a few weeks
work in the quarry makes new man
of him. There are retreats and sanitari-
ums and retormatory homes by the
score in and about the city for inebri-
atcs of social standing and wealth, and
the hospitals care for 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 devolved
upon women.
st. Joseph's hospital situated at
Seventeenth street and Girard avenue,
is a well-known institution, but few are
familiar with the department set aside
for the cure and treatment of rum vic
tins. 1t has been in existence for nine
years, under the supervision OF Sister
Baptista, whose success has been re-
markable. Within the past two years
although hundreds of men have been
under her charge, from the raving
maniac in the agony of delirium to 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
dining, reading. and smoking rooms.
Appl cation for admission is made to
the mother SUPERIOR but Sister Bap-
prcme control. Each patient is placed
in her charge Immediately on entering
the hospital, and she at once assigns
! him to room, makes a 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-
| troll him in his abnormal condition.
F.. From information and personal obser-
vation the sister decides upon the man
agement of each particular case. To
| 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-
liminary steps taken she proceeds with
| the medical treatment. keeping careful
watch over patients who have reached
n dangerous age and are wild and
| ilighty. 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
OF 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 and
feel like himself, and generally within
two weeks can do full justice to three
meals day, with an occasional lunch
con thrown in. Absolute recovery de-
pends in great measure upon the con-
stitution and will-power of the man.
The names and identity of patients arc
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, '.to see the wonderful
patients whose brains were racked b,
long dissipation and who would run il
fear from their relatives and friends
have seen patients of this kind whom
two strong watchmen could not force
into their room, at a word from this
delicate little woman quietly go to theil
beds and beg the SISTER not to lock
them up.
I'm their preliminary treatment pa
tients are given liquor at intervals, ant
it is pitiable to listen to their pleadings
for an extra allowance and the argu
ments with with which they besiege th,
sister. She listens to them patiently
reasons with them good naturediy, bu
the extra ration never follows unless i
is apparent that it is necessity.
There are not Il few who have beei
sent out by Sister Baptista restored t
health and recouped for the duties o
life more than once to have them re
turn in few months or year. agail
wrecked by rum. A well-kpown an
prosperous business man periodical
enters the retreat when liquor has th
best Of him, in few days RECEIVERS hi
appetite and senses. and returns to hi
family. A singular case is that of til
head of leading Philadelphia indus
: try. whom l saw there convalescin
> from the alcoholic malady. When h
became rational and was on the hig
r road to complete restoration, his wife
who had devotedly watched his trca
ment. one morning insisted that he II
t turn home. as his large business d'
: manded his attention. 1t was again:
9 Sister Raptista's Judgment and advic,
as she was afraid he was not stron
!. enough to resist temptation and requi
ed a longer probation from liquor. Il
: left. however, looking sight and chee
full, and his wife accompanied him fro
the hospital very happy wolna
That evening he was brought bat
r loaded with liquor and subject fl
5: r further repairs.
II II saw young man not out of h
teens. whose father isa respected me