The record-union., 1897-07-14

which has had its beginning in this
kind of immigration, can only be fore
told by making a careful examination
into the deplorable results following
the introduction of tuberculosis into
other localities having a reputation for
the excellence of their climate.
NARCOMANIA.
This term relates to the excessive use
of narcotic drugs. especially opium, or
any of its alcoloids, and cocaine, and
that it's habituad and excessive use has
reached such a point that the individ-
ual is no longer able, unaided, to con-
troll his desire for the drug.
While every State in the Union has
it's devotees to this ruinous habit, Cali
fornia probably above all other places
contains the greatest number. Its use
is INDUCED in by a certain portion of
all classes of society, but especially may
it's slaves be found in the slums of our
large cities. Had the Orientals in their
advent in this State deliberately plan
ned to plant a withering curse in the
midst of our population, they could
not have succeeded better than when
they insidiously introduced the opium
habit. When once the habit is per-
manently acquired it destroys all the
ennobling characteristics of the indi-
vidual, makes him a liar, and usually
vagabond These degenerates in
crease the ratio of our insane to the
total number of inhabitants. They are
entailing, through the laws of heredity,
a curse of physical degeneracy, nervous
instability and mental unsoundnesS up
on future generations, the magnitude
of which il is impossible to determine.
In closing I would say to the reader
who may do me the honor to consider
this article, that I have endeavored to
point out some of the reasons why
California has apparently such a large
number of insane when compared with
it's population. The number of insane,
however, that a State may be caring
for at any given period is one thing,
and the number actually committed
during the same period is quite anoth-
er. Thus, during the year 1886 there
was one insane person committed to
our State hospitals for every ,259 that
were sane; while during the year 1896
there was one insane person committed
for every 1,251 that We're sane With
this showing it is evident that the ra-
tire population in 1896 was only eight
in excess of those committed in 1886.
AS long as it appears that insanity
is but slightly increasing from decade
to decade, as shown by comparing the
commitments of 1886 and 1896 and as
compared with the increase Of popula-
ton during the same time, the present
condition is certainly not one to cause
great uneasiness. 1t is only when the
causes of insanity. as discussed in this
article, are considered that we may be
apprehensive for the future.
l wish now to state most emphatically
that in my opinion no individual who
is the possessor of health and q good
constitution which health implies, need
fear to make California his future
home Such an individual will be in
no more danger of becoming insane in
this State than in any other but If
through the varying vicssftudes of life
such a misfortune should obtain, then
in no land upon the face of the earth
can he find a more humane and kind
lier care and treatment, than viii be
extended to him by the State Of Cali
fo,,