The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1893-02-20
HOUSTON NARCOTIC CURE co.
For the Cure of Liquor, Opium,
Tobacco and Morphine Ha-
bits.
A Times Reporter Visits the Roanoke
Branch of tho Above InstItution and
Gives Detailed Statement of Pro-
gross up to Dnte-Statcn,ent OF One of
the Patients.

ATIMEs reporter called ct the institute
of the Houston Narcotic Cure Company,
now located in tn former Times build
ing, corner Campbell ave nue and Henry
street, it having recently bee II re-
moved from the Terry building.
Mr.. James O. Hobbs, tho secretary
and general manager OF tho company
was found in the Office and gave the re-.
porter tho entre to the mysteries and
mercics of the institute.
The dormitorY was first visited, where
D number Of patients were seen and
Mr. Hobbs introduced tho reporter to ID.
e. Fulwider. of Radford, Va, who has
been under tho treatment for about
three weeks Mr.. Fulwider kindly
authorized statement regarding his
condition previously ana at present,
and inasmuch as results arc the only
means Of Judging given proposition,
1T is thought best to devote 4 part OF
this space to Mr.. Fulwider's wonderful
story.
81 came to tho institute about thrco
weeks ago, or rather, was brought here,
and previous to my coming l had nou
drawn sober breath for twelve months;
indeed, tho past year has been almost q
blank to me; like q dream, q nightmare,
or tho recollection Of some horrible
story / would occasionally sober up
for few daye, but then the craze
would seize me and of I'd go again. l
would End myself going toward saloon
and walking wouldn't carry mo fast
enough so Id break into a run, finally
gratifying my longing and temporarily
deade ming my eepseS. SO it went week
ofier week, month after month, until
my relatives, hearing of tho Houston
Institute for the treatment and cure of
such cases as mino, brought me hero
and now l. am progressing rapidly
toward puricct restoration. One fea-
ture OF nv condition previous to coming
here was that l would often
food OF any kind, having no
appetite, and as for rest or
sleep they wore almost strangers to NC.
1t seems incredible to one not familiar
with such experiences, but the
strangost thing about the whole
matter is my present condition.
have no desire Whatever for
whiskey or any Intoxicating liz
uors. can sleep as in my
Childhood, my appetite is fully restored
ana partako regularly OF the usual
food. feel that have been snatchcd
from dtunkard's grave, and my graft
buAC 10 ~ oCIOllB oHdt w llOl ut5llaJc
TO allow the uso OF my name, hoping
that some poor weak mortal NAV SEQ
this and be led, either through his own
will or tho kindness of friends, to como
here and be cured"
Mr.. Fulwider's case is remarkable,
but not more so than many others
which might be citod. There are q
number Of patients under treatment at
present, and out of the % alcoholic pa
ticnts treated during tho brief period
since the institute has been esta blished
IL have been cured and 10 arc still be-
ing treated.
There have been 10 tobacco patients
treated, several of whom have been
cured and the others are still under
treatment.
Mr.. Hobbs himself has boen cured OF
both tho smoking and chewing habits
and now has no desire for either.
The reporter was shown the operating
or treatment room where four times O
day the patients are treated hypo-
dermically and by the direct internal
method.
Inc system is worry simple and
absolutely harmless, as evidence OF
which it is stated that from total
treatment of over 5000 patients in the
different institutes not one has been
any harm resulted.
The reading room is comfortably fur
nished and contains the daily papers
and periodicals. chess and checker
boards, and, strange to say, no effort is
made to hide tho arcn enemy whiskey
from tho patients, 50 4 fellow can have
good time at the institute If he
wishes.
In the reading room tho reporter was
introduced to several other patients and
in the conversation which ensued few
points were scored by those who related
their experience during the period in
tho inebriatos career called by SUIT
Lovngood delicious tremendous'' or
in professional parlance delirium tre-
mems. One patient said that he was
haunted by big tom.cat which sat and
looked at him for hours at time, and
ne would have to get more whiskey to
drive him away and then his absence
would only be temporary. Other strange
Authorizations would possess the mind
and the proverbial "snakes" were al
ways sliding around Lizards, scor-
pions, tarantulas, toads, "blue devils"
and all manner Of horrible phantoms
would haunt the vision, aud as the
panorama glided around, tho magma
ton became more and more vivid until
VIC Al ooiiSAbJ III oBOhyf mSuldlly anu
physically, would terminate in q frenzy,
the superhuman energy of which would
defy the strength OF four or five powor-
full men to restrain the patient.
MANAGEMENT AND SPONSORSHIP.
The general business management OF
the affairs of the Roanoke Office is in
safe hands with Mr.. j. o. Hobbs, VINO is
gentleman weltknown to our people
and thoroughly capable
frta N, ~ Il n,