The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1891-12-31
BEALTH HINTS
For Old and Young.
BY FELIX L. OSWALD. N. D.
CHAPTER CXXvH.
1NrnrIArr cuREs-lsontianedl.

good effect IN critical cases OF deilrium tremens.
Morphine has been recommended for the same
purpose but the specific par excellence for
che cure Of the drink habit is derived from the
fruit aud bark OF the strychnos tree. 1t is a
risky drug. aud somewhat expensive one, but
for remedial purposes small quantum OF il
will 90 long way. Strychnine aud sulphate
OF stTychnia come in the form Of whitish salts
aud white powders, so intensely bitter that the
invisible PARTICLES can be tasted in the air on
shaking a small sample from one paper into
another. The sulphate can be dissolved in
water, and n drop of that solution or of the
tincture of nux vOmica will impart percepti-
bic flavor to a flty-lold admixture Of other
fluids.
One-sixth to one.half of grain is dose, and
the acTid taste can be cOunteracted by a few
drops OF gineger-water and sugar. Taken five
times a day, with a larger dose after supper.
the effect Of the prescription is specific aud
unmistakable 1t will stimulate digestion,
allay the nervousness aud trembling that fol-
lows the sudden withdrawal of alcoholic
slmuants, and not only diminish but an
null the craving for strong drink. There
is a story or a man who distracted his neigh
bors by making his dog howl horribly
every morning, and who finally explained that
he wanted TO cut the ours tail oil, but being
the owner of compassionate soul, he thought
il more merciful TO perform the operation by
seem 10 have suggested the tapeTing-oT" plan
Of curing the alcohol habit. That plan consists
in reducing the tOper's allowance from a pint
Of rum 10 a spoonful per day, aud finally to
zero, sustaining in the meantime the bereaved
brothers strength with moral appeals and
black coffee. The fractional allowance adds
slippcriness 10 the difficulties Of the narrow
path; the Teformant is apt to experience a
backslide any moment, and in the meantime
his moral and physical status is not pleasant
one; far less so than that Of the total renOuncer
who OF favored by luckl can tide over the sore
first month with diyerting occupations. or else
may try the alternative Of chemical antidOte.
A virulent drug five times a day, even in half
grain doses, cannot be expected TO OIL mans
soul with visions Of Elysium. hut the feeling Of
indefinite soreness and fatigue following a
days course Of nuK yOmica is out and out pref
cradle TO the gnawing torture Of the unsatisfed
alcohol tbrist,-a thirst which in its extreme
forms can come TO surpass the ordinary craving
for huid refreshments as the discomfort of a
warm day Is surpassed by the heat Of actual fire.
What terms human beings will accept 10
avoid that torment may be inferred from the
account lby no means incrediblel Of so called
inebriate's sauitaTium IN large Northwestern
city, where extensive accommodations, supple
meDted by several "branch institutes" are
often overtaxed by the demand for admission.
Seven hundred patients" writes a special
correspondent, would DO q low estimate Of
the number at ID - all the time. Each ono
Of them pays SIS a week for the treatment
This means SIT 800 per week, or 500. 900 year
for the local patients alone. Ia addition there
are those treated at home. Medicine for these
is shipped at - a case. An average Of 900 cases
are sent from ID - every day, making an
additional 1856. 200 year. This makes a total
OF s., 56j,20O year from the patients direct
But, besides, branches arc being constantly
established all over the country, and from
$4,000 10 $4,000 cash is paid before the right
10 establish one is given. At least $500 900 has
been paid in this way by the branches already
started.
The same correspondent estimates the actual
expenses Of the institute &C less than 20 per
cent. Of its profits, though in that estimate the
cost Of eOmpounding the medicine itself is only
a minor item. And. moreover, the active prin.
ciple Of that compound has only a tTihing
market value compared with the price charged
for a single bottle. The success OF tho enter
prise, at such terms, would. indeed. appear
almost inexplicable il the faith in the efficacy
Of the supplementary directions aud the direct
medical supervision did not prove a paramount
inducement TO thousands Of patients and their
anxious relatives.
For. among the patrons Of the D. sani-
tarium and Of many ordinary inebriate asy-
lums, good many come rather reluctantly, or
like poor Fritz" Emmett. In Difference 10 the
urgent appeals Of their families At home their
VOWS Of reform have invariably been broken,
but should they not be benefited by a few
weeks sojourn at an establishment that has
dismissed so many OF its patients as cured 2
That hope. however, is apt to get wrecked
against q natural and not unfTequent cOntin-
geRcy. The involuntary prisoner (never much
Of patientl soon comes 10 regret the neglected
opportunities Of escape and resolves TO retrieve
things by Stimulating recovery.
Gratitude Of a rather demOnstrative sort is
the first symptom Of that scheme. So glad he
came; will hasten home 10 carry the joyful
tidings Of his redemption to his poor wife and
children; only fears that his remaining days
will be too short to compensate the services Of
his healer
Delay produces a chance In the program Of
proceedings The patient vehemeDtly pro-
fesses his adherence Of strong drink, but COM
plains Of restlessness; confinement has never
agreed with him; he will continue 10 pay full
rates for medical advice by mail. but would
much prefer a change Of air and surroundings.
lie gets h0mesick; the doctor hesitates, but
has TO yield, and the end Of IL is that the
schemer Is dismissed as thoroughly restored
redeemed as far as his Rppetency for strong
drink is concerned. but still suffering from GER
tain after effects that promise TO yield to a
change of climate aud scenery. Poor Fritz
/ ItEdtuH hAh llGtdOllls mikes "a DICdh lot MS
wOnted hauuts, aud only too soon the latter
effects" of his passion become visible in the
/ form Of large bottles prOtruding from his coat
tail pockets.
Restraint thus goes for naught. and perhaps
may even prove to aggravate the maligniIy Il
| the next relapse. The benefits of the chemical
antidote remain with the patient; but for how
| long? Will his appetite return soon rs the
prescription Of the expensive specific is dscon-
| tinued2 Will he become a slave 10 that spe-
! cic as he was 10 wine or rum are questions
that have been discussed in the preceding
/ chapter.
The result Of the experiment, however might
as we'll be decided athOme. The direct expenses
Of that plan would be less than one-iifth Of the
sanitarium charges, aud the patient would have
| the additional advantage Of retaining his self
respect aud avoiding the opprobrium Of IA CONF
mitment TO a "drunkArd's institute" an estab-
lishment which ia popular comment is classed
| with reform farms aud lunate asylums.
The influence of the antid0te will assert itself
| before the end Of the third day 50 Enthusiastically
indeed that self-treating patients might be
| tempted 10 discontinue tho prescription too
soon aud rely on the pormanenee Of their tenn
porary aversion TO alcohol. The opposite mis-
take, however, should be likewise avoided, aud
| The biUbesy yLors amanO an