The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1889-09-04
AMONG ALCOHOLICS.

the Miserable Patients Are Treated.
-'lnebriety in New York is on the
increase. There is more drunkenness
now than ever before. One seldom
bears OF delirium tremens among the
rich. Go to Bellevue Hospital if you
wish to see the effects Of rum on the
poor OF the metropolis "
The speaker was well-known ply
sician and he thus addressed reporter
OF the journal in his Office on Fifth
avenue yesterday. Taking the sug-
gestion, the reporter called at the
hos itaL
There are two wards in Bellevue in
which are confined those unfortunates
Who in the pursuit Of drink, follow
that destroyer Of happiness over the
broad highway which leads to delirium
tremens and death.
The wards are isolated from the hos
pital proper, and, while commodious.
are often too small to provide accom-
modations for the many patients adj
mitted. The sexes are separated, each
having their own keepers Mrs. Nor
rison presides over the woman's ward.
while two stalwart men care for their
less fortunate fellows
The warden courteously escorted the
reporter about The first visited
was the male ward. Here fifteen vic
Tins of alcohol were imprisoned. The
pass served to open massive door
which led into a neat little Office This
was the keepers room. OF this. with
in . dozen feet, sitting on wooden
benches, were the least harmful Of the
alcoholics.
The scene was an interesting one
to the student Of such things. The
mems eyes were no longer filed with
fire; they did not show any evidences
Of that temporary madness caused by
excessive drink; they were docile, en-
ervsted. mentally weak men.
There was a vacant, idiotic ex-
preston on the face OF each, while all
frembled as though with the ague. A
few had been admitted but the night
before These had only been drink
ing heavily, and the chances Of their
having the horrors were very remote.
One man, big, brawny fellow, sat
in . corner. Keeper Donohue said he
had been brought in the week before in
an advanced stage of delirium. At
1 first it was thought he would die, but
vby treatment he has been brought to
such a condition that after few days
more rest he will be in condition to
depart
One young fellow, the keeper said,
had been brought in the week before
in a state bordering on imbecility. His
parents could do nothing with him,
= and from the alcoholic ward of Belle
, vue he will be hurried to the insane
asylum on Wards Island.
The cells in which the more danger
Gus patients are kept were left for the
lnst In the first opened two men
More strapped 10 their beds One was
unconscious, sleeping the sleep brought
ON by the most powerful narcotics.
He moved uneasily and at intervals ut
tered inarticulate words.
The other case was a bad one. He
had been brought in the night before
IN q raving condition. His hands, too,
swere strapped to the bed. Although
unconscious, his eyes appeared wide
open. Now and then he would see a
specter and would try to rise.
That fellow was in a horrible con.
dition when brought here" the keeper
said. HE was overrun with vermin,
and his clothes. which. perhaps, he
had not changed for months, almost
dropped off him. In such cases we
give the patients a warm bath and
thoroughly fumigato their cells with
earbolic acid.
The old-fashioned strait-jacket il
seldom used nowadays Its place has
been taken by ropes which encircle
- the patients body and by which he i.
tied to the bed. These do not hur
the skin and are less combining to the
limbs 1t occasionally becomes neces
sary 10 use harsh measures with pa
ytinnts, but there are few knock-downl
Ur beatings."
do you allow the patients an.
iqunrp"
s'Under no circumstances. We ar,
also careful to keep water away from
them. Many ask for ice-water. Wate1
will set man off in the horrors jus
when he is about recovering"
Mrs Morrison, in the female ward
received the reporter cordially. Sh
apologized as not having many in
and was very glad to show her visito
around. There were five inmates
~s1lB two being bad cases. One o
these WAS young girl of nineteen
with flashing black eyes and pret:,
bul bloated features. She had beef
on + drunk" for a week. she toll,
Mrs Morrison, during which time sh
Isad neither eaten nor slept She wa
in adreamless sleep when seen, cause,
By the powerful narcotic given her.
''Violent characters become quie
when they see me-" said Mrs. Nor
sixon. II know women who hav
taken three men to bring them here
bsrs when they saw me would say
Hello. I'm back again.
I'm your experience have you no