The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-09-23

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abused the use Of alcohol and opium we're
coleridye, the poet; Thomson, Sheridan
s,es.e, Addison, Charles Lamb. Nine De
st.es. Barns, Savage, Alfred de M1ssef,
Turner, this painter; Hartley Coieridge'
Handel, G.uck. To this list might 90
added Bryon, Churchill, Person, the great
Greek scholar and critic; Campbell. Edgar
A Poe. De oaincsy. Dante Rosesti and
host Of French writers Of genius-
This Is plausible. but not profound
These men OF genius simply reflected IS
rule the loose social morals and manners
Of their times. Since 1870 when sferner
public opinion has prevailed We do not
find in England or America man OF con-
spleuous esihesic genius who abused
alcohol or opium, with the exception
of Rosetu in England and Poe In
America Men OF genius In cur
own day hare Is faithfully TO
aected the new standard OF socisi morals
rs men withou. genius. In our day we
do not find men Of genius ike Rousseau.
Goethe, Thorwaldsen, Aiferi. Mirabeau,
whose private lives were disigured by
scandalous public relations with women.
Why do we MOTT Because the standard OF
social morals il far higher than 1t was
in this century up to the accession OF
Queen Victoria in 1887.
The highest English authority on Inc
briefly, its origin. pathology, treatment
and Jurisprudence. DR.. Norman Kerr,
makes the interesting statement that the
mania for ether drinking in the North OF
ireland was unknown before Father
Mathew's total abstinence propaganda.
Between 1872 aud ls45 this mania for ether
drinking began with the newiy-piedged
converts in their search for some
thing that would not violate their
pledge. American scientists note the
fact that the enormous increase IN
the number of morphine and opium
fends dates from the Washingtonian total
abstinence crusade Of 1910. Ether intoxi-
cation in England IS observed by DIR.
Kerr is confined to persons OF education
and refinement who had previously been
alcoholic inehriates. The sulphuric ether
used for intoxication contains s per cent.
pure ether. 1t produces premature old
age and shriveling up of the living
frame. acute and chronic gastritis,
debility. dyspeptic distress. heartburn,
distaste for food, insomnia. pallor. tremors.
nervous prostration, chilliness, intermit-
tent heartbeat and decreased strength in
the lower limbs. Legislation has recently
stamped out this new form of inebriation
In Ireland. In January. 1891, the British
government, acting on the advice of the
Royal College of Physicians. scheduled
ether as poison under the provisions of
of the drug 10 the same restrictions and
safeguards as affect other poisons. So
effective has this measure proved that the
sale of ether has already been diminished
by 30 per cent.
cocoaine. according to DIR. Kerr. Is the
cation, from the rapidity with which it
breaks down the mental powers. There
is usually at first increased mental and
bodily vigor. but this quickly gives way to
feeling of intense depression, with ano-
rexia, insomnia and Authorizations ending
in mental collapse. The complete break
down of the mind with yolitional palsy
and inhibitlve prostration all take place in
a much shorter time than in a case of
alcoholic indulgence.
DIR. Kerr describes the overpowering
impulse TO intoxication at all risks as
narcomania, and regards ii as a subject for
medical rather than sentimental treat
ment. DIR. Kerr holds that confirmed
inebriates are not, except in O limited
number of cases. victims of insanity, but
of disease OF the nervous system allied
to insanity, and he would therefore send
them TO an Institution organized for the
specific purpose of treating the malady.
The shortest period for cure, be holds. is
year; two years is required for many. and
Others should stand committed until med
zeal experts are satisfied that they are
cured. Inebriaies should be required to
work, as idleness is most detrimental and
Incidence is nearly as characteristic of
many cases as is lying. This is tho high
est English scientific view of inebriety and
its treatment. The Kelley or gold cure
has no scientific standing whatever in Eu-
rope, nor for that matter in America.
among the nrst order of our medical men.
In England and the United States
drunkenness is not only no longer fashion
able as 1t was in the first quarter OF this
century, but the habitual use Of intoxi-
cants Is q bar no, only to social recogni-
ton but 10 progress in business aud the
professions. Manufacturing establish
ments as rule will not employ a habitual
drinker. Railroad companies refuse to
trust their trains and tracks In the hands
of saloonites. Ii is rule on many
roads to discharge employees who go often
into drinking places. Banks distruss
clerks who frequent barrooma In short,
the drink habit is being accepted as a sui.
feisnt disqualification for any position of
important public trust. OF course IL would
he too much to expect that this means
the coming OF universal total abstinence;
IL only means that the powerful social
forces Of fashion and the powerful busi-
ness forces OF self-interest have Joined
hands to restrict the liquor traffic and 10
increase the potency Of influences which
work against drunkenness and for TEN.
peFanee.