Idaho news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1887-1891, 1888-09-01
ALCOHOLIC TRANCE.
Strange Things that Men do Under
the influence of Drink.

strange Things that Men 90 Unoer
the influence OF Drink.
In somnambulism the person may 60 about
and do many intricate acts without conscious
aess or recollection of them sfterward, says
Science. In epilepsy distinct periods of uncon-
seriousness occur Acts unusual and often
violent occur, which are never remembered.
I'm mania these memory blanks are common
and the person is an automaton, acting with
ysut any conscious influence Of the present.
These are familiar Illustrations of some un-
known pathological and psychological states
OF the brain, In which memory is suspended
sor cut off, and the operations of the mind go
on without realization of the surroundings or
The influence of experience. This is some OBJ
scure form of psychological palsy, in which he
has no recollection Of his acts during this
time. From the many clinical studies OF
cases which have been made, the following
general conclusions seem to be sustained:
I. Alcoholic trance is not an unusual con-
iition Of inebriety. The victim is literally an
automaton. and acts without memory or con-
seriousness of passing events-a state which
may last from few minutes to several days.
9. It 10 distinct from epilepsy, hysteria, or any
known forms of mania, and is found associa-
ted with some unknown condition following
alcoholic poisoning, continuously or at inter
walls. 8 This condition is probably one Of
Grain exhaustion, followed by a lowering OF
consciousness till events are no longer clearly
remembered; or a suspension Of nerve force
In certain directions, closely allied to the
paralysis of brain functions; hence there are
profound disturbances of brain centers,
and impaired and lessened responsible
Ey. One group of trance cases seems
never to do anything outside a nat
ural, accustomed order of everyday life.
Thus, a farmer in this state goes on with his
regular work, physician continues to visit
his patients and railroad conductor attends
90 all his usual duties, without any memory
of these states. A second group OF trance
cases seems prominent BY usual acts and
Thoughts. Thus banker III this state left his
regular work. and went round delivering
tracts in the lower parts of the city. A quiet,
retiring man became yociterous, bold, and
aggressive. peaceful man Was combatiVe,
a truthful man uutruthful, and conscien-
E0us, religious man was treacherous and
skepticaL Later these events were perfect
BLANKS in their memory. In third group of
trance cases some unusual line OF conduct
seems to grow out OF the surroundings unex-
pectedly; or some old buried thought or con-
Geption comes to the surface. Thus clergy
man insists on riding with the engineer on
che engine. A skeptieal physician takes part
fn PRAYER meeting. A merchant goes round
threatening to XIII an old schoolmaster who
punished him in oYhood. A wealthy man
has q new will written, disposing of his
property differently every time. In the last
two groups criminal cases occur most fire.
4uenuy although some very remarkable in
stances have been reported under the first
group.
no nhf,tfsu prof Tnrn XIV IF Ehl1ru
mentions the case of II chief of police, who
was an inebriate, ordering the arrest and ex-
ecution of two suspected Jews. His orders
were carried out in form, but not in reality.
A day later he recovered from the trance
state, and had no recollection of the past;
he had total amnesia of this act Another
ease is cited of an officer who ordered house
burned down on the suDpOsition that the in.
mates we're preparing to destroy his COM
gnand. Two days later he awoke with no
no reason for the act In these cases
the somnambulistic act was along the
Hue of his usual work, and performed
without the slightest consciousness Of its
nature and consequences. The criminal
trance cases may be divided into two classes,
one OF which seems to have no history OF Grim
Inality previous to the commission of the
crime. They are inebriates of active neu-
rotic temperament, who have occupied repu-
table stations in life and belong TO the better
GIdbSSb All Is uDu5udl Win L1eL0s
and apparently grows out of alcoholic poi
soning.
The second class are the low neurotics and
detectives by birth and education. They
have history OF Irregularities of life and
conduct that seems to prepare the way for
criminal acts, and probably are more subject
TO tue trance state because of defective hered-
1ty. Clinical facts Indicate that in all cases
of inebriety there Is defective brain power,
and general perversion OF healthy activity !:
also tie door is open for many varied nerve
changes and degrees of brain instability,
which always gives doubt to the sanity of
the victim The fact of being an inebriate
points to an unsound mind, and more or less
tncapacity TO act or think normally. When
The trance state Is determined the actual re-
sponsibiltty or eognizance of right or wrong
Is suspended-the person is mental waif,
without compass or chart No evidence Of
generalization or apparent judgement in his
actions can change this fact Any special
act may spring from some impression laid up
En the past which, when conscious reason Is
withdrawn, takes on form and semblance
The real condition of mind is always more or
Tess concealed. Where the case is periodical
1nebriate, with distinct free intervals of sani-
ity, possibility of concealed or masked cpl
Aopsy should always be considered. Epilepsy
Ia likely to be present or to follow from some
organic tendency of faVoring conditions
When the defense Of no memory of the act is
made the case should receive a thorough med
Ecal study before any conclusion of RESPONSE
bifty can be reached.