The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1888-07-10
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ALCOHOLIC TRANCE,
If These Things are True the Courts VIII
Have Another Puzzle.

Fror2 Science.
From the many clinical studies of cases
which have boon made, tho following general
conclusions seem to be sustained /. Alcohol
ic trance is not an unusual condition of inc
briefly. The victim is literally an automaton,
and acts without memory or consciousness of
passing events-a state which may last from q
few minutes to several days. g 1t is distinct
from epilepsy, hysteria, or any known forms of
mania, and is found associated with some I'M
known condition following alcoholic poisoning,
continuously or at intervals. 3. This condi-
ton is probably one of brain exhaustion, fol-
lowed by lowering of consciousness till events
are no longer clearly remembered or q sus-
pension of nerve force in certain directions,
closely allied to paralysis of certain brain func-
tions hence there are profound disturbances
OF brain centers, and impaired and lcssened
responsibility.
One group Of trance cases soeres never to do
anything outside n natural, accustomed order
of everyday life. Thus, farmer in this state
goes on with his regular work. A physician
continues to visit his patients, and a railroad
conductor attends to all his usual dnties, with
ont any memory of these states. A second
group Of trance cases seems prominent by
unusual acts and thoughts Thus, n bankerin
this state left his regular work, and went
rOnnd delivering tracts in the lower parts Of
the city. quiet, retiring man became Yocf-
erous bold and aggressive. A peaceful man
was combatiye, a truthful man untruthful,
and conscientious, religious man was treach-
erouS and skcDtical 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 tho sur
roundings unexpectedly, or some old buried
thought or conception comes TO the surface.
Thus, Clergyman insists ON riding with the
engineer on the engine. A skeptical physician
takes part in prayer meeting. A merchant
goes round threatening to kill an old school
master who punished him in boyhood. A
wealthy man has a new will written, disposing
of his property differently every time. In
the two last groups criminal cases occur most
frequently, although some very remarkable in
stances have been reported under the first
group.
In a little work entitled "Alcoholic Som
nambulism," Professor Jerusky, of st. Peters
burg, mentions the case Of chief Of police,
who was an inebriate, ordering the arrest and
execution Of two suspected Jews. His orders
were carried out in form but not in reality A
day laterhe recovered from his trance state, and
had no recollection Of the past he had
total amnesia OF this act. Another case is
cited Of an officer who had house burned
down on the supposition that its inmates were
preparing to destroy his command. Two days
later he awoke with no memory of this event,
and could give no reason for the act In these
cases the sODambulistic act was along the line
Of his usual work, and performed without the
slightest consciousness Of its nature or conse-
queuces. The criminal trance cases may be
divided into two classes, one OF which seems to
nave no history Of cfItnlnailty previous 10 INC
commission Of the crime. They are inebriates
Of active neurotic temperament, who have oc-
cupied reputable stations IN life and belong to
tie better classes. All crime IL unusual
with them, and apparently grows out Of the
alcoholic poisoning. The second class arc the
low nourotics and detectives by birth and edu-
cation. They have history Of Irregularities
Of life and conduct that seems TO prepare the
way for criminal acts, and probably are more
subject 10 the trance state because Of defective
herodiiy
Clinical facts indicate that in all cases. Of
ineDrety there rs a defective brain-power and
general peryefsion Of healthy activity; also,
the door is open for many varied nerve changes
and degrees Of brain instability, which always
give "A doubt 10 thc sanity Of the victim. The
fact Of being an inebriatc points to an unsound
mind, and more or less ncapacity TO act or
think normally. When tho trance
state is determined, the actual RESPONSE
bility or cOgnzance Of right or wrong is
suspeuded--the person Is a mental wall, With
out compass or chart Noeyidence Of premed-
itation OF apparent judgment ia his actions can
Change this fact. Amy special act may spring
from some impression laid up in the past