The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1893-12-06
A DISEASE or rnr NEnvrs.

II Is said by those in q position TO know
that il is OF no use TO disguise the terrible fact
that intemperance is more frequent among
women than II has ever been before, more
general and more ruinous, 10 the point OF
physical and mental mortality
1t makes us shudder TO hearthe facts in the
case. TO listen even to the suppositions con-
cerning its causes, one supposition being that
suddenly acquired wealth, giving people the
opportunity OF going through life at great
pace, makes it necessary that they should re-
sort to whip and spurs to maintain the gait
that is. that having money they must and will
spend il fast and spending 1t fast engenders
pleasures to whose enjoyment the strength is
not equal without the help ofthe exciting and
stimulating drink. Another cause is said 10
be the prevalent absence of both religious
and moral sentiment, the disdain for every
thing that cannot be seen or felt, the reign
OF pure reason and realism, the custom Of
considering that II one wants thing one
should have ii, and that there should be no
restraint upon ones desires further than the
ability to crafty them. third cause is
given as the cigarette, ii being stated that
many more young and middle-aged women
than we have dreamed OF have acquired a
fancy or a fashion for the use OF this vile Dt-
tie article, and its use creates thirst, and the
thirst which only strong drink slakes. There
are instances, too, where the dreadful evil
has been brought about by the prescription
OF pnNSiclanS, tne lnNanu tnuS uhNlnB tne
habit established before being aware OF what
is done But these instances are few in COM
parison to the number of those which result
from the apparently innocent glass taken at
table or elsewhere. The taste once formed,
1t may be INDUCED with all the other tastes,
at table OF on the shopping tour or in the
publicity OF the restaurant or In the privacy
OF the boudolr, where trouble or depression
OF any sort causes the stimulant TO be re-
sorted TO with "A hope that its temporary ex-
hilaration will tide over the gloom.
These are perilous times all the circum-
stances of life are rapid, exhaustive, nerve
draining. The great stress under which we
Z live occasions n degeneration OF the nerves,
and the swiftest and easiest resource then Is
the stimulant. Knowing this, knowing that
young girls are liable TO such degeneration,
ii becomes doubly important that they should
re sheltered by the force Of a public opinion
which may make II. at any rate, difficult for
them TO begin the drinking habit In its most
insidious and delicate first approaches. For
It is TO be remembered that II is IN the begin
ming the danger lies. They none OF them
know what is behind them, what heredity
from an unfortunate ancestor may give them
a fatal impetus once started. But no heredity
can start them on the way II they refuse to
take the first sip, and make 1t thus impossi-
BILE TO acquire the taste or appetite The first
glass may be harmless except in its relation
to the last ; but there Is an incredibly short
space OF time, in alas how many instances,
between the first few drinks and death from
some myterious disease of the nerves, whose
other name is possibly delirium tremens.-
Harper's Bazaar.