The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-08
TWO YEARS FOR DRUNKARDs
Novel Bill to he introduced in the
Austrian Reichsrath.
Cardiff Mail.

The first instance in which a legislative
assembly has treated the drink habit as a
disease rendering its victim source of
danger to the state has just been provided
by bill now about to be introduced TO the
Austrian Reichsrath. This bill proposes TO
treat the persistent drunkard as a person
hict injury upon the community, not only
by actual violence, but by his example. Ii
is, therefore. proposed that the authorities
shall keep him under control, both during
good behavior and for such a longer term
as. in the opinion of competent physicians,
will serve to wean him from his craving
for strong drink. This bill is the result of
a long-continued series of efforts by the
medical profession Of Austria. The ground
has been taken that the position of the
drunkard in social life has not been hitherto
properly estimated 1t is argued that he
should be regarded more as lunatic than
is at present the case, and that he should
be treated accordingly. There has ALWAYS
existed feeling that the craving for drink,
with its consequences, ought to be treated
as mere bad habit a temporary and re.
coverable error, not really form of mental
disorder This, there can be but little
doubt, is false reasoning, for evidence
has multiplied in recent years that the vic
tim TO alcohol is subject 10 a disease, just
as much as a maniac or lunatic. The dis
ease has received all sorts of names, but
as to Its nature it seems agreed that it con-
sists in weakening or decay of the will
power, coupled with a craving for stimu-
lants. The restraint which the Austrian
Reichsrath proposes TO put upon the. drunk
ard may take the form either of voluntary
or compulsory detention in specially APP
pointed retreats. In cases where the con-
for regular trial. in which witnesses, both
lay and medical will be heard. The justi-
fcation for detention will consist in such
facts as repeated previous convictions OF
and other evidence strong enough to leave
no doubt sthat the alcoholic passion has be-
Scf and has rendered it
danger 10 himself and Others. The tern
Of detention will be two years. and this
term is liable to reduction or renewal, as
the occasion may require. The drunkard
will, therefore, be made TO feel that he l.
not merely committing misdemeanor when
he tipples to excess; but grave crime. fol
him as person who ought not TO be al.
lowed at large. There is vast difference
between this mode of treatment and that
where drunkard is locked up for a few
days as a punishment for his offense, nc
effort being made either TO better his con.
dition or to prevent any injury he might
possibly infiict when under the influence o.
alcohol The danger in the latter case Is
of course. much greater if the period o.
alconolc excitement is long one. In case
the bill passes land there is but little doubt
OF this), the Austrian citizen will have lit.
tie opportunity TO go on a long spree. The
nll may 9e taken as fariy Representing
ton in detail may, perhaps, be found ad.
visable as time goes on, but the profession
VII! PROBABLY approve the Dill on Its gen
eral outlines. The attempt to repress tn,
excessive drinking habit and to treat it a:
an ingrained vice, which has absorbed al
traces of resisting WILL certainly deserve:
fair trial. Every precauton will be made
to render the preliminary investigation as
searching as possible, and no personal priv.
ileges will be lost by detention 1t is
the state and improve the condition of tn,
victim than TO inflict punishment. The pa
tents own interests will be served in
0f lao al rt...% L
tives and friends. 1t IL probably true thai
some such measure will be adopted in al
civilized countries in the course Of time
treatment such as this one here outlined
would certainly result in the benefit of the
patient, and the. confinement would not be
much lamented by his family.