Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-04-29

ever, that alcohol is product of fermenta-
tion and distillation, and by mutation this
product Is evolved. There are several
kinds of alcohol, among which are prolylic,
| dentylic, butylic, pentylic. of different va
| por, density and specific gravity. Mithylic
alcohol is very volatile and quickest in its
+ action and easily eliminated from
the system. While alcohol is usually
considered stimulant, many Of
the best authorities and experimenters
hold that all alcoholic fluids are in reality
represents, contending while at first
they exhilarate and excite normal
forces, they Of themselves supply no force
and cause exhaustion by an expenditure of
expended entirely on the alcohol-ultimately
in consequence thereof leading to exhaustion
of cellular nerve force and eventually to
nerve paralysis with general reduction of
animal temperature, etc. Statistics show
that large proportion of alcohol is used in
the arts and sciences Yet q greater part is
used for general and indiscriminate con-
sumption. Alcohol can be appropriated
many ways either by drinking, inhalati on,
absorption or injection. Its intricate effect
upon the nerve cells of the brain is too COM
plex and technical to discuss Just now.
In short, it may be said, however, that
from tea, opium, chloral to haschisch stimu-
lants, narcotics and hypnotics are modified
and influenced largely by race. nationality,
altitude, climate, temperature and environ
ment.
''The more carefully inquire into this
subject and consider the pathology of the
alcoholic disease and the intense craving
for intoxicating drinks and opiates that ex-
lists with many, the more fully am con-
vinced and the more clearly recognize the
individual as victim of disease and one
that can only be cured by proper treatment.
IneffectuaIity of Will Power Alone.
''The habit for strong drink and opiates,
and the condition produced there by, once
established in the constitution like any
other disease, acts independently of the will,
and though the victim may resolve and re-
resolve that he will not crafty his appetite
and will discontinue its use, he cannot con-
troll the craving or obliterate the desire by
will power alone.
"Yes, alcoholism produces great amount
Of insanity. In exactly the same way as the
body fails or ceases to exert its forces so the
mind begins to go. The amount of mental
disease produced by alcohol and opiates
first began to be prominently discussed
about 20 years ago. At that time little
seems to have been definitely known
or determined on the subject and nothing of
Importance was said or written on it of
truly scientific character. 1t is
now generally admitted, however, that
large amount of insanity is produced di-
rectly and through heredity by the influence
exerted by alcohol and opiates upon the
brain cells. 1t is estimated that in some of
our prominent asylums at least 40 per cent
of all the cases are produced by the indirect
influence Of alcohol, and at least IA per cent
of all cases are produced by the direct
influence of alcohol.
Liquor AS a Producer of Insanity,
'In my experience in compiling statistics
relating to the insane, where the term ex-
cesses has been used alcoholism represented
at least 60 per cent OF such cases"
SIS alcoholism hereditary?" was asked.
'No. Alcoholism per Sc, like insanity,
is not hereditary, but the conditions that
make insanity or alcoholism possible or
probable are hereditary and children of
such percentage are more liable to
become dipsomaniacs than are the
children of parents who do not use stimu-
lants or narcotics to excess. Why, even &C.
quired mental traits are hereditary, and by
the way this question of heredity, scien-
tifcally considered, is one of the most alb
sorbing and fascinating know Of 1t is law
of vital physiology, however, that while off
spring may not always follow in the exact
wake of parents they usually exhibit some
form of mental obliquity or mental disorder
traceable to a deterioration OF physical
caused in the parents originally
and by indiscressions and excesses.
'tBdt," the doctor concluded, 'sthe SUBJ
ject is too exhaustive for intelligent discus
sion in the limits of hasty newspaper in
terview."