The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-11-11
THE DR%INK.HABIT.
Can 1t Be Cured3 What Atlanta PhysicIans
Bay About It.
atlanta Constitution.

Can 1t Be Cured3 What Atlanta Physicians
Say About It.
atlanta Constitution.
The question "Is Drunkenness Cura-
BILE ?" interests millions, and there is no
subject to which newspaper space may
be more proftably given, so long as there
is ground for hope that the question may
be settled in the affirmative.
Happily, the doctors are agreed that
many, if not all, cases of drunkenness are
durable. AS to certain cases of hereditary
weakness, long standing habit and special
physical arrangement, the physicians
have different opinions. AS a matter Of
information the Constitution prints below
the opinions, briefly expressed, of four Of
the leading physicians of Atlanta.
They are so explicit that comment Is
unnecessary. It is noticeable, however,
that while the enteebled will is to be re-
inforced, there, appears to be hope held
out in these articles for a treatment en-
tirely independent of the will of the pa
tient.
The articles of Drs. Baird, Cooper,
Olmstead and Avary will be found inter-
esting and instructive.
Sometimes No, Sometimes Yes,
ATLANTA, Ga, October SIS drunk
enness durable?
Drunkenness may be q transient condi-
ton only, and not a disease. Under these
circumstances, the omission of the excit-
ing cause-namely, the overingestion of
alcohol or Of alcoholic liquors-is sue
ceeded by a more or less prompt subsi-
dence of the symptoms of intoxication.
Chronic alcoholism or habitual drunk
enuess may follow, as a consequence, the
excessive and prolonged use of alcohol
In any form. The habit of immoderate
indulgence may be a result, primarily, OF
physical disorder, or of mental defect
congenital or acquired-which, upon the
one hand, provokes a morbid craving for
the %stimulant, and which, upon the other
hand, weakens the individuals power to
resist the inclination or to repel the temp
tation.
Fortunately this class is not numerous,
for the prospect of q permanent cure In
these cases is not encouraging. The
forced withdrawal of the stimulant, even
for a considerable period of time, could
not likely correct the constitutional mfr
nifty or materially increase the individ-
ual's power of resistance.
The drinking habit may be formed
without pre-existing physical or mental
arrangement, but the excessive and pro-
tracted use Of alcohol is often followed by
disease or by structural changes or de-
generation in the tissues Of the body, es.
pecially In the brain and in other parts Of
the v system, some Of which
changes are incurable, and any of which
may, perhaps, become sc.
In this class of cases the possibility Of
effecting a cure depends in a large degree
upon the character and the extent Of the
resulting lesion. The damage may moi
be Of such q nature as to preclude the
possibility of restoration, and if the vic
tim al be surrounded by proportions in.
luences and, when required, be placed
under suitable restraint, recovery in
many-in most-cases may be confidently
expected.
In extreme cases, however, the percep'
tons may be so blunted, the intellect
may be so warped, the emotions may be
so confused, the volitIon may be 80 en-
feebled-in a word, all Of the facilities and
forces of the mind may be so oppressed
and distorted that the individual is en-
bruted, and Is rendered utterly incapable
of regulating his passion or of controlling
his appetite.
On the contrary, it is undoubtedly true
that even after the long continued abuse
of alcoholic stimulants, the habit may be
abandoned, the taste for strong drink may
cease and restoration to q life Of sobriety
may ensue.
This result may be reached without OK
t~raneous aid, but favorable environments
judicious management, and the employ
ment Of appropriate remedial agents
adapted to the individual circumstances
and conditions contribute directly ant
powerfully to the successful accomplish
ment of this end.
Thus, it will be perceived that drunk
enness, even in its worst forms, and ye
more in its milder manifestations, i.
sometimes durable, while In other cases
alas ! 1t must be considered a hopeless
malady, and must, of necessity, be con
signed to a position among the incurablt
diseases. JAMES B. BAIRD.
DR.. j. G. Olmstead's Views.
els drunkenness curablef" That de-
ponds upon the circumstances and condi'
tons, surrounding and pertaining to the
individual afflicted.