The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-08-14

tendency to the sudden liberation Of
nerve energies as in violent passion
(grief or joylsor work, play OF study,
which is followed by extreme prosfra-
ton. Tho child is said to be sullen,
morose, or melancholy, then, suddenly
manifest the other extremes, Indicating
great instability of brain cells and
functional control. Its life seems to be
threatened with fevers. prostrations,
and 1nanttions, accompanied with mem
tai irritations and wandering neuralgias
that tax severely the skill of the physi-
clan. These conditions may follow
other heredities, but they always point
to. . degree OF, nerve and brain deeener-
alton or retarded development, and de-
fective coordination that must be req
ognized in the. treatment
In all cases where alcoholic ances.
tors, even back to the second genera
ton, can be traced, there are certain
predispositions which must be oonsid-
cred In the treatment. y'.'' .~.....
First A tendency to exhaustion from
feeble vitality, and low power of
restoration TONES and nutriments that
have a direct stimulant action on the
brain should not be used, such as
alcohol and opium, and meat >broths.
These remedies have q tendency to
! still further exhaust the vital forces,
paralyzing the nerve centers and in
| creasing the carbonaceous matters of
the system.
Second. An instability of cell and
nerve function. and strong predisposi-.
ton to develop into some particular
form of, degeneration, which is prac-
tically an exhaustion OF. the higher
brain centers with craving for relief.
All stimulants and remedies which act
on the brain centers increase the ex-
listing degeneration. ,s
Third. There is special affinity for
all nerve stimulants by those higher
brain centers. Their use constantly
interferes with the natural development
of brain energy from food. Thus
alcohol. tea. coffee and other sub
stances have peculiar delusive
effect.
From these facts it will be obvious
that the diseases Of children of al
coholic parentage are far more COM
pick, and require greater care. In ad-
dltion to whatever disease they suffer
from, there is always neur3sthenia and
detective control of the brain centers,
which may come into prominence at
any moment, from causes both known
and unknown. This hereditary bias
and neurotic insta bility enters into all
cases.
The general principles which should
govern in the treatment may be
grouped as follows: l. No form of al
cohols are safe, and narcotics of all
kinds should be used with great care.
2. The diet should not include meats
OF any kind, because of their stimu-
lating character; while meats contain
much food force, they act as stimulants
to brain already over-stimulated and
exhausted, and increase the peril of
nervous disease. The pathological ten
dency of all these cases is to become
alcohol takers and meat-eaters, hence
the diet should always be non-stimu-
lating and farinaceous, and should be
carried out with military regularity.
3. The hygienic treatment is also of the
greatest lmportance; every means and
measure which can build up a system,
and avoid brain and nerve stimulation,
is required. 4. Cases of this char-
acter should be guarded against every
possible extreme, both in the sur
roundings and physical conditions that
are under the control of the physician.
The tendency of all energy and nerve
force is to pass off in explosions, which
should be counteracted; the diseases
they suffer from show this tendency to
concentrate and become intensified in
certain directions, also to manifest dis
tinct exacerbations Finally, the fact
of an alcoholic heredity in disease of
children that we are called upon tn
treat, gives wider therapeutical range
of pos Iibilfties, both in direct and pre-
ventive medicine.
Recent studies of alcohol cases show
that over seventy per cent. are directly
inherited. If this is confirmed by
later studies. the treatment of in
ebriety will in the future begin in
infancy, and the higher science and
art OF medicine will win its greatest
triumphs along the line of prevention.
American Lancet