The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1893-03-16

Liability of a Drinking Man to Commit
Insane Acts.
Alcohol used either in moderation or
excess always derange sensations and
the brain centers which receive and de-
termine the value of such impressions.
Intoxication is an illustration of the ex-
IRENE arrangement of the senses and
the controlling brain centers. False
impressions of every description come
from all the senses, and the brain is I'M
able to correct them, hence false judg-
ment, unreasoning acts and concep-
tons.
Associated with this is the delusion of
mental health and clear accurate judg-
ment of his condition and the surround
iugs This condition is present in
every drinking man, only differing in
degrees. One who uses alcohol at in
tervals will recover from this derange-
ment more or less during the free inter-
val If the interval is short the de-
rangement is not repaired, and if the
drinking is excessive it is doubtful if
restoration is ever complete. 1t may be
stated as rule to which there are few
exceptions, that all iuebriates have
deranged senses and defective brain
conceptions and power of control.
This can be verified by careful study
of the mental processes and acts of the
person. He may appear in public and
to superficial observers to have impair
ment of the senses and brain, and he
may even act and think wisely along
certain lines of automatic everyday
life, and be mentally unsound and in
competent
These defects are the essential factors
of criminality. The senses send false
impressions to the brain, and the brain
is unable to correct them, hence false
thoughts, false acts and abnormal con-
duct Criminal acts come from inabil-
ity to understand the relation of sur
roundings, and to adjust the conduct to
the varying conditions of life The
criminal acts of the inebriate spring
from this confusion of senses and judg-
ment. Acts are misinterpreted, motives
are ascribcd to conduct that have no
reasonable basis Illusions and delu-
sions come and go with increasing fire..
Quency, and finally become settled con-
ceptions that are systemized and can
not be corrected. Delusions of sexual
wrongs lead up to assaults and homi-
cides; decisions of prosecutions have
the same ending; delusions of strength
bring on reckless conduct and in
sane acts, together with unreason-
ing credulity and equally strange
suspicion and want of confidence.
Nearly all the crimes committed by
inebriates are assaults against persons
and delusions of ability to understand
and act in relation to business and
ethics along unu usual lines of conduct
Such persons forge notes, misappro-
pirate moneys, engage in dishonest
transactions of every form, sustained
by the delusion of superior skill to con-
ceal it and ability to avoid the legal
consequences. While an inebriate may
think and act along automatic lines
with judgment and honesty it is doubt
full if he can take up any new business
or line of conduct and pursue it sanely
and with integrity. The motive to do
right may be unimpaired, but the dam
aged senses and imperfect brain can
not control and regulate conduct, and
keep it up to high ethical level The
study of this side of these cases very
strongly confirm the statements of the
responsibility of lnebriates, and indi-
cate the danger of trusting them in
places of responsibility and power
journal of Inebriety.