Dodge City times. [volume] (Dodge City, Kan.) 1876-1892, 1888-06-28
TEMPERANCE READING.
a PARAlYZED WILL.

a PARAlYZED WILL.
Drunkard-His Downfall. Ruin, Resist
ance and Final Cure.
In recent number of the West
minister Reriew a reformed habitual
drpnkard unbosoms himself in an ar
ticie whose dark and dreadful pictures
recall the weird dreams of the opium
eater. Although the writer fails to
give his name, he is evidently well up
in the social circles of Great Britain.
while the high character of the Recie,D
is sufficient guaranty OF the genuine
ness OF the narration.
After telling of his many and dis
astrous Weddings to the terrible appe-
tite for alcohol, which had deprived
him of position after position, the re-
peated warning of friends, and his own
efforts to escape from the demon of
drunkenness, the author describes the
| abject powerlessness of the habitual
| drunkard:
The habitual drunlzard, however Is power
| less to regard all warnings His conscience
may be as keen rs his remorse is great. He
may earnestly long and strive to do what he
knows to be right He may even be strong
minded in all that concerns the business Of life,
save in one particular failing: but, as De
Quincy says Of the opium-eater: His intellect
ual apprehension Of what is possible infinitely
Outruns his power, not Of execution only, but
even of power to attempt He lies In sight OF
ell he would fain perform but is powerless as
an infant and can not even attempt to raise.
Ia -:,~ 49, l-:-H
to got drunk He often dctestS the one, and
shudde's at the thought Of the other; but he
drinks because he has an uncomfortable and
mOrb d impulse to swallow Intoxicating liquor.
He may surround himself with every conceive
able restriction, but III vain. as shall show in
the sequel; until at length the restless turbid-
ness that is one Of the punishments of habitual
debauchery paralyz yes all the efforts Of de-
crepit WILL and he ceases to think seriously on
the subject. He does not dare to think on it,
for il he do it produces melancholy that sends
him all the sooner to drink again."
Thoroughly alarmed by the realiza-
ton of his own powerlessness, the
writer threw himself at the feet of en-
inent physicians and social reformers
to plead for help. But like the friends
who had warned him before they could
give him no hope but in total absti-
nence by the exercise of his own "res-
olute will " and the fOrsaking of former
companions.
my experience. however, teaches me, y con-
tinues the author, "that haunts and compan-
ions have little to do with leading the dipso-
maniac to TIE fatal cup; although good COM
partnership has great influence in keeping the
convalescent away from it. AS q rule the
hal final xar6 Ia
in solitary communion with his own bitter
thoughts, building castles in the air, curs:ng
every glass he drinks, and inwardly resolving
that each particular debauch shall be his last
When, too, he turns away from his old haunts
it is to discover new and perhaps more enticing
ones. The glittering gin palaces stares him in
the face wherever he turns his eyes. The pub
lean is everywhere 1t is the same to-day as
it was in 14OS, when Hoccleve wrote:
1.-The outward sign OF Bacchus and his lure,
That at his doore hangeth day by day,
Exciteth folk to taste of his moisture,
So often that man can not well say nay"
Nevertheless the drunkard does not
despair On the advice of physicians
he surrounded himself with the most
stringent restrictions. s. have often
left home for London he says, "a
distance of five miles with no more
money in my pocket than would pur-
chase railway ticket for the return
journey, SO as to make it reasonably
impossible to buy drink. What has
been the result. The outward sign
of Bacchus and his lure has been too
much for me. have preferred to walk
both journeys in order that might
drink my money" Hunger and fatigue
and isolation are no protection to the
drunkard.
ION one occasion, during my terrible soiourn
In continental city already referred to, was
three days without food. Nothing passed my
lips but water aud my head was full Of
thoughts Of suicide. On the fourth morning
I discovered in my pocketbook five cartes-
postoles. sold them for eight sous, intending
to buy bread with the money, and surely, one
would think, my circumstances and condition
were sufficient to prevent any miscarriage Of
my intention. But on my way to the 60uldnge
RE came to wine-shop, and three sous went
for glass of GIN rouge; second wine-shop
took other three sous, and must now believe
that had l possessed still other three sous they
would have been similarly spent. but as the re-
naming two sous would not purchase drink they
were invested in roasted chestnuts. have
known similar occurrences in regard TO other
ersons; and the ADVICE to avoid old haunts and
evil companions, however we'll intentoned, is
therefore of little or no avail to . dipsomaniac.
OF the methods of cure advised there
remains then but the effort of the
will.
but the effort of the will is physical phe.
nomenon, and Is not entirely under the control
of any man. It obeys fixed laws. Its strength
or its weakness consists OF the impulses which
act upon it. There is Limit to its power. 1t is
even conceivable that it alone may he con-
slant quantity at time when other impulses
of the brain are not. At any rate it is but y
movement of nervous matter. and the proper
strength and direction OF that movement de-
ponds upon healthy condition of the brain.
The use Of alcoholic stmtlant ct has been
prOved) destroys that essential condition. The
toxic agent acting upon the brain changes its
organic composition and deteriOrates its func-
tons. There Is weakening of the controlling
power OF the higher brain centers, pollution
by alcoholic poisoning OF the source whence
flows the dictates OF the will. Indeed, there
are structural alterations Of the whole nervous
system until at length the nervous batteries
become SO feeble that not only is there no spon-
taneous overflow of nervous power, but no dis
charge whatever. and the will is paralyzed
When such is the case, every motive for pru-
dence and restraint all the force OF dear
bought experience - dS HOtuing compared 10
the craving for drink. The sense of the most
lasting interests does Eot move the will so
strongly as does the relish for stmulants. The
determination to have acts with far more
energy than the determinat on not to have. To
a man in such a condition the advice OF his
friends, his own knowledge and experience, his
surroundings, all motives for sObriety are
naught.'
Continuing. the writer describes his
voluntary confinement in a retreat as
the last resort to escape the allure
ments of the open saloon. Dipsomania