The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-10-18
A nlsease Of tie Nerves.

1t Is said by those In a position 10 know
that 1t is Of no use to disguise the terri.
BILE fact that intemperance IS more fire.
quent among women than IL has ever
been before, more general. and more
ruinous, 10 the point OF physical and mem
tai mortality.
According to the police and the hospi-
tai returns, the Increase has been small
but steady. This has beer among class
Of women from whom one does not eX-
pect the best. But according TO the state
ments OF physicians the increase IS large
and steady among those from whom one
does expect the best
1t makes Us shudder 10 hear the facts
in the case, to listen even to the suppose
tons concerning It's causes, one supposi-
ton being that suddenly acquired wealth,
giving people the opportunity OF going
through life al a great pace, makes Il
necessary that they should resort to whip
and spur 10 maintain the ~-it .'-t IS,
that having money they must and will
spend Il fast, and spending IL fast en-
genders pleasures 10 whose enjoyment
the strength is not equal without the help
OF the exciting and stimulating drink
Another cause is said 20 be the prevalent
absence Of both religious and moral SEN
timent, the disdaln for everything that
cannot be seen or felt, the reign OF pure
reason and realism the custom OF cOnsld-
ering that IL one wants a thing one should
have IL, and that there should be no re-
straint upon ones desires further than the
inability 10 crafty them. A third cause
is given as the cigarette, IL being stated
that many more young and middle-aged
women than we have dreamed OF have
acquired fancy or a fashion for the use
Of this vile little 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
physicians the invalid thus having the
habit established before being aware Of
what is done. But these instances are
few In comparison 20 the number Of those
which result from the apparently innocent
glass taken at table or elsewhere The
taste once formed it may be INDUCED
with all the other tastes, at table or on
the shOpping-tour or In the publicity OF
restaurant or in the privacy Of the bou-
doir, where trouble or depression or
any sort causes the stimulant 10 be re-
sorted to with a hope that its temporary
exhilaration will tide over the gloom.
And then presently its use creates a
craving for its further use, the morbid
appetite IS born ful-grown. and the mend
has the victim in hand-sne is a dlpso-
maniac; and II she marries. her son, and
perhaps her grandson, will be a dipso-
maniac after her.
There may be women IN middle life and
In old age with whose physician and
whose conscience il may be a question
whether or not they need the building and
sustaining power or a sumulant. But Il
is evident from facts 10 be had at first
hand by any who Will investigate them
ha 90 nd al
iy the young woman of a nervous tenn
permanent should avoid intoxicating
drinks az she would avoid poison. II
should again be good form. as II was fifty
years ago. for the young woman al the
dinner table not merely 70 touch her
lips 10 the glass I'm courtesy. but 20 de-
cline II altogether. These are perllous
times; all the circumstances OF life are
rapid, eXhausting, nerve-draining. The
great stress under which We live Occa-
sionS a degeneration OF the nerves, and
the swiftest and easiest resource then
IL the stimulant. Knowing this knowing
that young girls ara liable TO such de-
generation. II becomes doubly important
that they should be sheltered By the
force Of a public opinion which may
make H. AT any rate. difficult Tor them TO
begin the drinking habit In It's most in
sidlous and delicate first approaches. For
Il Is 10 be remembered that II is In the
beginning that the danger lies. They
none Of them know what is behind them,
what heredity from an unfortunate
ancestor may give them fatal
impetus once started. But no hered-
ity can start them on the way II
they refuse 20 take the first sip. and
make IL thus impossible TO acquire the
taste or appetite. The first glass may
be harmless except In its relation 10 the.
last; but there is an Incredibly short
space OF time, in alas how many in
stances, between the first few drinks and
death from some mysterious disease Of
the nerves whose other name Is possibly