The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-01-05
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DRINK AND INSANITY.

Disastrous Consequences OF Using Aico-
hoiic Stimulants.
DIR. Augustine Planus, of Paris, in an
article summarizing the results of
careful investigation made by himself,
says that a very large proportion
many more than a majority of the total
of the numerous cases of insanity
which have been registered in that city
in the past few years, are attributable
entirely to the excessive use of intoxi-
eating liquors. Along with this, his re-
searches show that the vice of drunk
enness has increased very largely in
the French capital within the same
period. There is correlation also
according to his conclusions, between
the vast number of cases of lunacy re-
sulting from intoxlcation and the in
crease in the amount of drunkenness.
The same causes which promote this
vice operate to produce those excuses
which result in the arrangement of the
intellect which is known as insanity
the most terrible affection which can
befall our poor, imperfect humanity.
Dr. Planus finds that while the in
vice of intoxication is due to a great
many causes, among which is one of
particular interest, because it is excess
in indulgence from this cause which
most readily produces insanity. This
cause is the pressure and worry caused
from overwork, both physical and
mental. Especially are these evil eff
fects visible in the large class of brain
workers. Artists, authors, journalists,
lawyers, doctors, bookkeepers and
others, whose duties require severe
mental exertion, are especially the
speedy victims, not only of intemper-
snee, but of insanity. Very often the
overwork, whether mental or physical,
Is combined of necessity with irregu-
lar hours and irregular meals, and the
evil effects are increased thereby. AS
he says most truly, the best work,
however hard, is always methodical
enough to permit of timely rest and of
regular nutritious; aud the full recogni-
ton of this fact is a simple question of
public utility
But why should brain-worl<ers and
others whose labors are at times ex-
cessive, so easily fall into the vice of
drunkenness? The reason is very
simple The exhausted system, pros
trated by overwork, Graves some slim
ulant. Alcoholic liquors supply this
craving, and give fictitious strength
for the time being. The worn and
weary worker, overcome by exhaustion
of his mental power, in which his body
shares as the result OF the loss of nerve
power, finds that liquor, for the time
being, restores his power. He speedily
becomes babituated to its use; and as a
natural sequence the drink thirst
which takes possession of him be-
comes more pressing in its demands
continually Tor more of the liquid
poison. His body, his brain, his nerves,
become saturated with the internal
stuff; he becomes its slave. his brain
breaks down under it, and the mad
house ends his miserable career.
There is in this reason, too, why the
vice of intoxication is more prevalent
in cities than in rural districts In the
rushing life of modern cities, in the in
tense competition of the race for
wealth and fame and position, men are
constantly tempted TO exert their pow
ers beyond the point up to which they
may safely be exercised. Am bilious to
keep up in the race, anxious to excel,
both the mental and the physical sys-
TENS are overtaxed. Alcoholic bever-
ages are resorted to in order to sustain
the tagging powers; but unfortunate
ly they destroy instead of building up
and drunkenness follows, with insan-
ity as its sequel When intelligent men
by scores thus fall victims to the insid- |
ious temptation of the demon of rum,
Is it too much to say that it is the duty
of society, acting through the state, to
save them and conserve itself. to crush |
out the liquor traffic, and thus pulverize
the run power. Blade.