The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-11-23

Hereditary OF the Disehso OF
Alcoholism Must BE Prevented.
To n EprroR OF THE suN-Sir; Mr.. Funk's
letter In TIL Sun Of Nov. 10 In reply to Prof..
Goodwin Smith has been read by me with much
interest. The efforts which have been put for
ward by the Prohibitionists have been to a
large extent a failure. owing to an error In
judgment, namely; accepting q result while
they overlook the cause. Saloons do not exist
because the law sanctions them; they are
simply to satisfy a demand, the outcome OF n
tissue craving for stimulants, which is as much
a part OF mar as the hair on his head or the
fingers on his hand. It is a condition which.
TO be exact. we should denominate as patho-
logical. but usage and the indifference OF Ia
millarity define as physiological. Man cannot
change his temperament by a decree nor his
physiology by a city ordinance. and / would. with
Mr.. Funk's permission. paraphrase his remark
and say the world viii yet stand aghast at the
inconceivably stupid blunder Of RELOCATING q
diseased and degenerate condition for ameli-
grafton to the tenets Of a party or the enthusi-
asm OF a platform" As an animal (which man
ISL he cannot rise superior to his tissues. and
as he has 80 universally bequeathed TO him by
his ancestry Of alcoholism a tainted constitu-
ton. he In turn transmits the condition to his
posterity. 1t is that alcoholism. now fully proved
to be q disease. both a hereditary and an ac-
quired type. but In each case capable OF trans
mission. constituting US tissue degenerates!
which leaves us a long way sho TT OF our
intended capabilities as an animal type. / pre-
sumo none OF us will live to see that physio-
logical millennium. when the animal nan
will be 30 complete. 80 stable. in such
a state OF PSYCHOLOGICAL and physiological
rest that that intensity Of sentiment or
now reiiesp upon stimulation or ISOLATION will
t as!i WI Viii Be- Al that is demanded to obtain the
The taint OF alcoholism. is universal. and It
INFLUENCES the destinies of countless numbers
which the recognized inroads Of consuniption
end speeihcs pale into 4 trivial inslgniacance
disposition" anwittinely using a most potent
argument AGAINST the mistake 80 afdently
Ignore the predispositionIths cause. The
ethical sovereignty Of the law sounds well as
/. n FsSs San n sna not ss'R What but Is. Il Hut L Sh 81
S {! as ssss 's ss az nss la sRS ,i5naaePsna!sasSS
disease Is better. The man q to-day Is not IN
ss 1ae svl SSsPei' of | t ana II. h1E ks 'per 81 se P but
aimless, haphazard efforts to attain a better
yironment. Let alcoholism be- recognized in
asa YEA 5 as ss ! dIsSs%sSil i Br e. I NJ SSiI sIIssS 81 sIF sSs
ward potent education and eradication.
Let the liquor business alone. but give your
e~nerRies to regeneration. and the liquor ques-
tion will in time become q dead issue, q rom
nant Of q Wanted civilization which is a tray
esty upon mans acceptance OF the self-made
imitation Of the original divine possibility.
become unified upon the subject and wage
Intelligent war. against mans. most potent
undoubted opportunities to influence the race
are continually improved. let their efforts
sion, toward the curing Of disease by some
more intellectual and humane method than
they often do by inducing or originating an
other. Thus we may originate a system which
will guarantee that the children OF to-day will
not be the drunkards Of tomorrow. Let man
cease to be parasitic and cease to prey upon the
degeneracy OF his fellow man. Let him be once
again his brothers keeper and his offspring's
protector. Let science have her. perfect work.
The cessation Of demand will prohibit the
saloon and no longer afford political pabulum,
and the tremendous power Of the law " will
cease to be an illusion.
NEW YORK, Nov. 20.