The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1892-08-30
FOUR WHO ONCE DRANK
They are Now at the Keeley
Institute.
IT SHOWS THAT DRINK COSTS.
a News" Reporter Has n Little Chat
with the Medical Director and Hears
what He Has to Say About the Caro-
of Liquor Patients.

There is some curiosity as to what the
Keeler Institute has been doing in this
city. Since it was announced some time
ago that one had been opened little has
been heard about 1t. A NEWS reporter
called to-day and learned that since the
institute started with two patients two
weeks ago two more have been added TO
she list.
The house has accommodations for
twenty-six patients and inquiries nave
been coming in thick ana Iast ior ino,o
information regarding the cure. Already
more than fifty Investigators have visited
the institute, and IN n short time IL Will
have all the business that can be attend
ed to, 30 the managers assert.
The medical director, Mr.. Hillgoss, re-
ceived the NEWS" man very cordially
this morning, and talked very interest
sngly regarding the methods of treat
ment and the results obtained. lie stated
that over 10000 people had been cured,
and in all the experience OF the managers
but per cent. of those treated had fallen
hack, and that in those cases there were
outside influences which brought about
the result.
In treating the opium and liquor habits
about four weeks is required 10 effect
complete restoration of the deranged
system. The general effect OF liquor Is
TO weaken the nerve cells, and to tho con.
frmed drinker the need Of continual
stimulants is as urgent as is the need OF
food to a strong and healthy man.
They Get Some Liquor.
The aim OF the cure Is to give liquor in
such amounts and at such intervals as
the needs demands. but to gradually cut
off the supply until the pa lent Is no long
er unable to do without 1t. The treat
ment consists of four hypordermlc iniec-
tions of bichloride of gold daily, together
with internal lemedes every two hours,
the latter to strengthen the diseased
nerve cells and render them active aside
from the use of intoxicants. 1t is gener
ally foun that within three days from
the time of entrance the patients, thirst
for liquor has disappeared and his
strength of will to refrain from its use
the end of four weeks he returns, man
among men.
The patient is not, however, required to
remain at the institute during the period
of cure except for the first three days, but
the authorities much prefer that he
should as in this case they can keep bet
ter watch on tho case and direct their
actions accordingly.
The treatment has no immediate effect
when first put into operation, other than
to cut short mans spree and i'll cases
where he would remain Ia drunken con.
ultlon Ior Two Weeks, reuuceS tne tiinc 10
two DAYS. The worst cases are brought
under control in "a remarkably short time
and no one, however far he may have
gone is refused admittance.
IL Cures Smokers. Too.
The cure for the habitual smoker is
much the same as for the steady drinker,
except that the effect OF tobacco, being
less pronounced, the time required to
bring about complete recovery is much
shorter, being generally about two weeks.
In regard TO the opium habits the re-
porter cleaned some very interesting in
formation. DIR Hillgoss stated that the
use of opiates was much more wild espread
and pernicious than the general public
lad any conception Of. 1t is most gen
eral among women, some Of them of the
upper classes of society. Frequently the
habit originates In their prescription for
medicinal purposes aud when he tenn
porary need no longer exists the habit is
continued.
As yet there are no opium patients in
this institute, but large number Of in
quiries have been received from those ad-
uicted TO the habit, and it is thought that
In short time there will bs several pa
tients to be cured Of the uss Of opium.