The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1891-08-30


for drunkenness, have only to say that
their use in such connection is most ira
tional, unscientifo and delusive.",
Tho means by which drunkenness may
be cured according to these gentlemen may
be grouped under three heads: first, stop
ping absolutely the manufacture, importa-
ton and sale Of alcoholic liquors; second,
putting the person in whom it is desired to
stop the habit under such restraint,
or into such utter seclusion that
ne cannot by any possibility,
get liquors; third, by instructing the in
ebriate in regard to the injurious effects of
alcohol upon his system, aud, by superior
mental influence, so strengthen his, will
power as 10 enable him to resist tempta-
ton. The first means is regarded as neither
practical nor desirable, and IS, therefore,
summarily dismissed. The second means
IL based upon the fact that the longer one
abstalns from any particular habit, the less
powerful becomes the inclination TO in
oulge, and after period varying according
TO circumstances, or the organism Of the
individual, the desire to crafty the appetite
or habit is no longer experienced. The effec-
by all, but more especially advocated by
DIR. CIoTHERs. He insists that the moment
a man becomes a drunkard he forfeits all
rights tc liberty and becomes a ward of the
state, and should be controlled by it. He
is for no half way measures. He calls for
legislation that will provide for the legal
control of drunkards; then for the orgaui-
zation OF Industrial hospitals in the vicin-
ity of large towns and cities-taxing the
spirit traffic to build and maintain such
places-then arrest and commit all drunk
ards to such hospitals for an indefinite
time, depending on the restoration of the
patients, continuing the treatment for a
term of years, or, if necessary, for life.
There can be no question as to the effective
ness of this treatment, but it will be long
time before public sentiment will Justify
the enactment of laws that in some in
stances would imprison men for life for
drunkenness.
DIR. CRoTHERs, however, quotes some in
terestiug statistics on the above physical
method of treatment. According to his
representations there are over a hundred
asylums and hospitals in the world for the
treatment OF drunkards; and even under
their necessarily crude treatment the re-
suits are somewhat satisfactory. 1.-The
first statistic study" remarks the doctor.
was made at Binghampton in 1873. In
quires were made of the friends of 1900
patients, who bad been treated five years
before at the asylum. OF LOO replies 81
and fraction per cent, were still temper
ate and well after period of five years
Another study of 1000 cases was
made at Fort Hamilton, n. Y, which
revealed the fact that IS per cent, of these
cases remained temperate and sober after
an interval of from seven to ten years from
the time OF treatment. In the returns of
5000 cases studied at the Washingtonian
house, at Boston, Mass, 35 per cent, of all
| the living persons who had been under
treatment from eight to twelve years be-
lore, were temperate and we'll" This is
very encouraging. and speaks much for
this method Of treatment; but it must be
remembered that these results came from
those who voluntarily sought and submitted
to the discipline Of the asylum. Whether
the same gratifying results would accrue
from enforced treatment is still question.
The only method for the treatment of
drunkenness which at once may be
OF universal application and prac-
ticable is the third method sug
gested, viz. Moral suasion. In compar-
lson with the other methods suggested it
may seem weak and ineffective, but it is
the only one of the three about which there
is no question as to the rightfulness of its
| application. We acknowledge that the
poor drunkard may appreciate the argu-
meut of the moralist or the preacher.
accept its truthfulnesa, and yet have
no will to enforce it. Indeed.
If there were anything lacking to establish
the fact that this will power is wanting in
most inebriates it would be found in the
statement made by DR.. Epson, who ayers
that in England of 500, 900 persons who
took the temperance pledge, $4,000 were
known to have violated it. This is a sad
tale Of human weakness, and rather dis.
| couraglng to those who put their trust IN
moral suasion for the cure of this great
evil. 1t may well cause US to doubt If the
eyll-Whether looked upon as disease or
merely hablt--can be abolished by such
means. But if it may no. be abolished
altogether, it certainly may be considerably
diminished, which is all that may be hoped
Tor In this world. not only in respect 10
this, but well nigh all other evils. If ever
the Old adage ian ounce of prevention is
worth pound of cure'' was truer in one
case than another, it is so in respect to this
evil OF drunkenness. This should be recog.
nlzed by parents, by teachers and by the
church, ard every means that is legitimate
and within their reach should be EMPLOYED
to prevent the fatal habit which at las,
leads to drunkenness, with all its attendau,
horrors. We have more to hope for
through prevention than from cure. since
the latter, to say the least, seems doubtful
through any means that may be rightfullv
applied.
Among other interesting facts stated in
these papers are the following:
All competent authorities agree thu,
drunkenness is increasing.
AS to climate, elevated regions are better
suited to the would-be temperate than low
levels or sea coasts.
As to age, inebriates may exceptionally
but do not as rule, attain to long life
About one in 400 reaches the age of seventy
years.
The professions, ranked in the order oil
greatest number of inebriates, are as fol.
lows: Physicians, lawyers, engineers
druggists, journalists, artists, students
reporters, clergymen, actors.
As to the causes, heredity stands respon
IN - On
slole Tor oo per cent, of all inebriates. TIL,
parents and grandparents have been con
| tinuOuS or eycessiua ,,oors