The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1896-1929, 1901-08-15
DEMENTIA FROM ALCOHOL.
Use of the Latter, Even In
Small Quantities, Produces an
Unbalanced Mind

The fact becomes more and more
prominent that the continuous use
eff spirits, even in small quantities, is
followed by dementia. This may not
always be recognized, but measure
ment of the senses and functional ac-
tivities by instruments of precision
uniformly indicates depression, di-
minished and lowered vitality. The
hearts action is changed, the nntri-
tion and assimilation is disturbed, and
the operations of the mind show
wide deviation from the normal state.
Where there is hereditary predispo-
sition to use spirits, or the person
is psychopath, or suffers from neu-
rosis. inherited or acquired, demen-
tia is a most natural sequel. The
constant anaesthesia which follows
from the use of alcohol, together
with the chemical disturbances of as
similation and nutrition, after a time
are followed by permanent organic
changes. The action of alcohol on
the heart can be traced, but its eff
feet on the nervous centers is more
obscure. The steady drinker suffers
from the toxins of alcohol and poi
sons which are produced by this
agent circulating through the blood,
which finally act on the nerve centers,
producing, first, functional, then or
ganic, disturbances, and finally ex-
tend to dementia. It is an error to
suppose that intoxication is the only
indication of damage from alcohol.
In reality, such toxic states are only
Incidents from which recovery fol-
lows. The most serious injury comes
from the continuous use of spirits
and the constant depression of the
nerve centers, and the persistent de-
rangement of assimilation and elimi-
nation. The periodic drinl<er has free
intervals of sobriety during which ma
ture makes an effort to restore the
damage, but the continuous drinker
is subject to the constant, uniform
action of depressing toxins. Stages
of dementia are started, and, al
though at first slight and obscure,
they become more and more appa-
rent. Thus, in one case, constant
drinker after a time shows egotism
and superior confidence in his
strength, unnoticed before. In an
other case, stupidity and dullness are
the early and later characteristics.
In another, the higher brain centers
suffer, and the character and pride
of appearance is changed. In an
other, unusual parsimony or generos-
ity indicates change. Often these
mental states aprcsr prominent for
some time before organic symptoms
are apparent. While each case diff
fers from others in q degree, there
can be no doubt that uniform, pro-
gressive degeneration follows in all
instances where alcohol is used con-
stantly. Illustrative examples are
very numerous, and an occasional So
called exception in which the con-
stant drinker appears to be free from
organic disease has sometimes been
found. Careful inquiry into these
eases with measurements by instru
ments of precision reveal changes
unmistakable. While dementia is the
most common form of mental defect,
other disease states are noticeable
in these cases, and death often fol-
lows from acute Inflammation of the
lungs or kidneys. A general paretic
condition may exist in all the organs.
while the hig,~sr brain functions show
marks of den:\ntia. Recent studies
in this direction reveal a new field of
facts which contradict all assertions
of the possibility of a harmless use
of small quantities of alcohol daily
journal Of Jnebriety