The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-02-29
ALCOHOLISM AS A DISEASE
Effect of the Habit Upon the Nervous
System How 1t Should Be Treated.
Prof. ". II. Thomas Thinks that Men Should
No More Be Punished for Drunkenness
than for Insanity-Medical' Graduates.

A large audience attended the commencement
exercises of the Central College of Physicians
and Surgeons, at Plymouth Church, last even
ing On the rostrum were seated. besides the
graduates, the members of the faculty, Dr.
c. D. Pearson, and others of the board OF trus-
tees, aud Rev. w. F. Sheridan. who pronounced
the invocation. DR.. S. E. carp presided.
There were but two addresses-one by
Prof. W. Fl. Thomas. of the fac
ulty, and the other. the valedictory,
by j. F. Barnhill Professor Thomas advanced
some interesting ideas upon the subject "Aleo-
holism as a Disease, and its Rational Treatment"
He said that drunkenness called habit.
but that those who had most thoroughly inves-
tigated the matter considered it q disease of the
nervous system. Many leading physicians con-
CURED in this opinion, among them Drs. Ham
rnond, McPheeters and Liddel, and Carpenter,
the Psychologist. They agreed alcohol had a
peculiar affinity for the nervous tissue,
which IL hardened and ruined. Professor
Thomas considered the subject under two
heads-frst the causes; second. the methods OF
treatment The causes of drunkenness we're OF
two kinds-those that were occasional and those
which were continuous. Among the occasional
causes were that OF association man who
was employed in a brewery where he confirm
ally saw liquor and those who associated with
drinkers were likely to form the habit, or.
rather, get the disease. Then men who were
closely confined were likely to seek q stmulant
which they imagined helped them, and thus
mental condition often led a man to
strong drink. The custom of physicians
prescribing todd,es referred to. and
denounced, except the dose be very small and
administered strictly scientific principles.
Those which were constant az dis
tnguished from occasional were the hereditary
disposition to drink, which was far more power
fIll than any other With such persons the
nervous system created stronger than the
will power. Therefore. if the impulses were
left unrestrained they would soon lead to in
temperance. Hence the importance of put
ting restraint upon children, in whom
the impulses rule to such an extent.
There were two methods of treating the evils
of intemperance-one was to prevent their
spread, the other to treat those already
diseased. An organization already existed which
sought to prevent the sale of all intoxicants
If that could be done it would be the best and
surest cure. But as long as there was demand
for thing it would be supplied. One step in
advance that could be easily made was
stringent marriage law which would prevent
the transmission of these evils to future genera
tons. What was being done for those who
were afflicted with the disease OF drunken
being fined and imprisoned The speaker
declared it more rational or just to fne
q man for drunkedness than for insanity. He
Recommended the establish ment OF hospitals for
inebriates similar to those existing in Boston,
Chicago and other places where more than one
third of the inebriates were turned out cured.
tax the saloons to sustain them. Such pro-
vision would hardly be made. the speaker
thought, while the Legislature was controlled
by the class who made their fortunes selling
liquor, but it should be effected.
The valedictory was by Mr.. j. f. Barnhll,
who made Interesting address, the major
portion of it being poem describing the various
members of the faculty and their methods of
teaching. Prof F. j. McAvoy. the elocutionist,
then entertained the audience with medley of
popular selections.
Two of the charlottesville. Sam E. Crosse and
Mr.. j. f. Barnhill-were tied for the gold medal
prize, and medal was accordingly given to
honorable mention. The other graduates were
George w. Nash and Charles s. Goar.