The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1896-06-04
ARE INEBRIATES SANE2
Argument That Goes to Show That the
Excessive Drinker Cannot Be of Sound


Excessive Drinker Cannot Be of Sound
Mind.
This question has been recently dis
cussed and answered in the affirmative,
by several authorities who have made a
study of mental disease.
To a specific question of the posi-
bility of a person using large quanti-
ties of alcohol and opium daily for years,
and retaining degree of mental HEALTHY
and sanity, the answer was that it was
a common occurrence. Instances were
given to illustrate and prove this fact.
The evidence of these statements were
found to be based on general observa-
ton and the opinions of the incbriates
themselves or their friends. Why
should the assertions of persons who
have paralyzed themselves for years
with alcohol and other narcotics be ac-
cepted as evidence of sound mind,
simply because it sounds reasonable?
Why should the statements of such peo-
pie be accepted without critical inquiry
and examination in the same way as
the assertions of persons notably in
sane are studied?
The conduct and opinions of in
ebriates are preeminently subject of
critical study, because the toxic causes
are fully recognized. The reason that
this is not done in all cases is the prev
alent opinion that alcohol and other
narcotics are harmless in small doses,
and taken in moderation.
1t is impossible at present to draw
lines where any drug ceases to be harm
full, and say that up to this point it is
safe and beyond it is dangerous. The
inebriate has visibly poisoned himself;
the fact that he displays no common
symptoms of insanity or pronounced
mental unsoundness is no evidence of
mental health.
Serious diseases exist which do not
manifest themselves in the ordinary
| changes of conduct and character. Men,
tai soundness is not established by the
presence or absence of certain fixed
symptoms. The central fact that alco-
hol or other narcotics are used daily, is
| always evidence of two absolutely GER
tain pathological conditions. One de-
generation of the higher brain centers,
manifest in the continuous use of these
drugs. The other, paralysis of all the
| functional and psychical brain pro-
! cesses.
The continuous action of alcohol and
opium, depressing and diminishing cell
| activities, causing complex changes,
chemically and physiologically is al.
vo+ib1a +o1 hao
The demand for spirits or drugs, wheth-
er explained by any reasoning or pos
sible motives, is always abnormal and
inconsistent with health. 1t may come
from error of judgment in the person
or his advisers, but soon it becomes a
| pathological state, growing more and
more fixed. Theoretically and practic-
ally, no inebriate can be of sound mind
Causes that are held up as examples OF
persons who have used spirits for a
lifetime will not bear the test of crit
ical examination. 1t is extremely
doubtful if any such persons exist; all
the examples of persons who have used
spirits 20 years or more are found to
be unsound in both mind and body. Up
10 Une present ulIne no exceptions nave
been noted. The fact that little change
in character and conduct was apparent
to superficial observation is no evidence
An inebriate who boosted of his i'm
munity from disease from alcohol was
found to have neuritis cirrhosis, men
tai delusions of suspicion and illusions
of spirits guiding him.
Any careful study of such cases will
| furnish abundant facts of disease and
mental unsoundness. The medical ALL
thority who doubts this has simply tc
| appeal to the facts for evidence which
is accessible and COMMUNICABLE
of Inebriety.