The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-03-13

phiamania and their possible cure, it would
be necessary for you to ACCEPT the theory o.
the recognized medical authorities as to
these being diseases. Tho causes of these !
diseases vary in different ten.peraments,
but their terrible results are similar. 1t
would unnecessarily task your patience to
relate some of the excuses and apparent
causes presented for daily intemperance, no
two alike, as you no doubt are familiar with
many the victims invariably he.itating to
accept the theory that alcoholism and NOR
phiamania are diseases, but all admitting
their inability to control their appetites.
You all no doubt are familiar with the
fearful havoc they work. | will give you,
with your permission, a slight idea of how
this alcohol disease fastens to the victim
with a vice-like grasp. Before doing so,
however, ! will state that from close obser-
walton morphiamania il more seductive in
it's first stages and more terrible In its re-
suits.
The whisky habit. as it is called, is a dis
ease, and, as | believe, acquired, and must
be therefore medically treated to insure
permanent relief. Its effects are upon the
moral, mental and physical being IN its
different stages.
When a youth Of moral trimming begins to
indulge in drink of any kind he is actu-
ated by motives purely social. He little
dreams he is caressing a torpid viper, which
when thoroughly warmsd by constant ON
braces, will sting him to death. Thu mod
crate use of alcohol to the beginner makes
his eyes dance with envied Light and his
tongue utter gay and witty speeches. For
this time being the world seems filled with
light, love, gaiety and promise. Foolish
youth. He has tasted the delights Of for
hidden fruit, and in SO doing he has allowed
deception to creep into his life. He real
ICES he has done wrong but there is time
enough, he thinks, to settle down. He will
stop before he is found out. He reasons
thus, why should not he have a good time
now with all the wears of his life stretching
out before HIM? so he yields, becoming
mora acquainted with sin and growing less
mindful of the warnings OF conscience.
Tho possibility of becoming a drunkard
never occurred to him. 'The tottering foot
steps. tho thick speech and trembling
hands, hold out no warnings to him, they
only excite his pity or ridicule.
There is no set limit to the first stage oi
his drinking experiences. 1t melges into
tho second stage when his outraged consti
tuition demands stlmulants. He has
reached the first serious crisis in his drink.
ing career and the real battle begins. L
he does not turn from the cup now hi
chances are small. lie has arrived at {
point in the downward road where reforma
ton is possible. but not at all probable
He must choose one of these routes, viz
Total abstinence, hnbitual drinking O.
l 1rINS 1AaS oCh1Slpll WIZ 10 RDN-
orned largely by circumstances, surround
ings, home influences, training and tenn
permanent. 1t he ia a man slow OF mint
and speech, careless of others opinions. b
will throw aside restraint and start out OF
the haDitual drunkard'a road, Il molerat
drinker. He will daily encourage tn
craving, regulating the quantity to his con
[ stitutional demands. If, on the othe
hand, he is of an imaginative Temperament
with high aspirations, or if, BY virtue O
. his earlier training, he is keenly alive {
. the disgraceful associations of whisky, h
| will be- too weak, because of his already in
paired control, to turn from the allure
! ments forever. He will travel the road {
: the spree drunkard, or dipsomaniac.
He suffers in the initial stnge q thousar
i t~oraures for every drunk. His better natul
Q is in perpetual revolt against this excessi,
d indulgence; he soon becomes, however,
master III the art of deception. HI bepi1
with debauches confined to the night, b,
there comes n time when abused nature in
y poses a penalty Of heavy daylight bracir
up. 1t IS not long before he braces up &c
10 nervous, relnorseful, he goes on HIS lit
,r open spree. Conceslmsnt is no longer n
T. tempted. He grows desperate. He is II
J. able to face the family circle. He drin
% now to drown remorse and conscienc
10 Generally strong OF constitution he forge
Q, rest and nouriahment and lives for daya
a stlmulants alone. He does not stop un
u his stomach refuses to retain a drop more
L then the awful home going. ! sometim
Il wish had the power to picture his feelin
now. Pen will never be able to portray |
conscience at thist time.
The agony, the horror is beyond deacri