The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-05-05
Alcohol and Its Effect on the Mind.

Alcohol and Its Effect on the Mind.
Some years ago. while travelling in Ger
many, visited an old college friend of
mine, now a distinguished physician.
Through his courtesy was allowed to be
present at the dissection of man, who had
died of delirium tremens. The first thing
l noticed on removal of the skull cap, was
the peculiar condition of the brain, it
seemed to me crowded in. which was really
the case, as l shall set forth here.
The brain is composed of thinking cells,
held in tough tissue. Now if these tis-
sues. that is, the contents and the envelop-
ing framework are properly prOportioned
to each other. the brain will perform the
work allotted to it freely. But the effect
of all intOXicants, no matter how they are
used, is to thicken the connecting tissues.
thus causing the space set aside for the
thinking cells, to be diminished and shrunk.
en-, consequently rendering them unfit to
perform their functions. The natural re-
suit is. that the mind is in stupOr and
hence the control of the actions of person
in such state. must be limited. The inn
potent rage OF some men-Otherwise quiet
and peaceful-when excited, while under
the influence of liquor, will bear out that
statement. There is another thing which
clearly shows that man is inapprehensive
of what he is doing while inebrated, or in
other words, while drunk, and that is the
loss of all decency.
knew young man of high standing in
the East whose morality was beyond re-
prOach and who only drank glass of good
wine now and then. One evening, how
ever. being in the company of his friends,
he partoOk a little too freely of the flow
ing cup. The consequences of this i'm.
prudence were sad indeed. He was az
rested that night for committing acts
against all morality on the street, was
brought before the magistrate the next day,
found guilty and let off with heavy fine
on account of his high social connections.
The matter leaked out and got into the
newspapers and the result was that he COM
mitted suicide. He left paper behind,
stating that he had no recollection of what
he had done, but the shame of seeing his
name in the newspapers he could not out
live. Hundreds of similar cases occur daily
throughout the world illustrating the curse
of alcohol. Not alone impairing the health
and judgment of the person addicted to
drink, it has also the tendency to be infused
into his Otfsprings. A case of this kind
little boy seven years old was brought by
his parents to an expert on insanity in
Paris. They stated that the child had at
tempted to kill his baby brother and that this
was the second time he had tried it,. The
doctor examined the child and then asked
him kindly, ''Why. little fellow. you didn't
try to kill your brother. did yOu?" The an
swer surprised him, it was. ''Yes, 1 did, and
l shall do it yet" The doctor then asked
the father if he was addicted to drink.
His wife answered for him stating that she
had never seen him use any spirits and that
he was a sober and industrious worker.
Not being convinced by this, the doctor re-
quired the father to hold out his arm. He
did so. but was unable to hold it steady.
Then the story was told. 1t came out that
the man delivered parcels from door to door
and was treated nearly everywhere with
glass of liquor, the outcome of it was that
he had become drunkard without know
ing it. (This case is taken from paper I
read the other day.
In conclusion l wish to say. that to my
mind in the majority of cases, where man
has committed the crime of murder, etc.,
while under the influence of liquor, he is
rather to be pitied and more fit subject
for an asylum than for the gallOws or the
state prison. This view may seem to many
of my readers too broad or too narrow, but
insist on it nevertheless.
Years ago had the misfortune to become
intoxicated and when SOLDERING up had no
recollection of anything that occurred dur
ing that time. 1t was a lesson for me and
never have been and never shall be-with
Gods help-in such state again. That
one instance was enough for me and 1 ad-
wise every man to let alone intOXicants of
any nature-theY are the curse of human.
ity. HECTOR.