The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1901-06-19
THE GREAT DESTROYER
SOME STARTLING FACTS ABOUT
CHE VICE OF lNTEMPERANcE,
Hereditary Alcoholisn-Carefu1, Scientific
Study Shows That It is Present in
Over Eighty Per Cent. of All Inebri.
ates-Associatcd With Criminality.

Hereditary Alcoholism-CarefuI, Scientific
Study Shows That It is Present in
Over Eighty Per Cent. of All Inebri.
ates-Associatcd With Criminality.
A careful study of many cases by va.
rious observers shows that heredity is the
most prominent cause and is present in
over eighty per cent. of all inebrates. An.
other active factor, more apparent and
eontrollable in the problem of inebriety,
is that of marriage. At present the indis.
crimnate marriages are largely inhuen-
tial in intensifying and continuing the al.
coholic stream. Criminals, paupers, inc
briates and others notoriousy far down
on the road to dissolution are permitted
to marry and raise children freighted with
truly frightful legacy of degeneration.
1t is this defective heredity increased and
intensified by marriages with equally bad
stock that is the great fountain spring
from which inebriety comes. Alcohol, OF
all other drugs, seems to intensity and
provoke disease and the most favorable
conditions for the destruction of cell and
nerve force.
Heredity leaves feebleness of these
centres, with often a strong predisposition
for alcohol, which may remain dormant,
only to come into great activity upon tax,
ing the first glass of spirits. Injury and
disease may be followed by the derange:.
ment of these higher brain centres, and
the narcotic action of alcohol affords
grateful and seductive relief.
The study of alcoholic causes shows that
over two-thirds of all inebriates have a
history of previous degeneration both OF
the brain and nervous system before splr-
it's were first used. The largest proportion
of these cases come from alcoholic, insane,
consumptive and other neurotic ancestors:
The remainder have marked history OF
disease, injury, brain, strains, SHOCKS ana
states of profound exhaustion, from which
they have apparently recovered, although
followed by the use of spirits.
Persons with such history show great
susceptibility to the action of alcohol. The
effects are grateful and as pronounced as
opium when it quiets the painful nerve.
The first action of alcohol quickening the
brain circulation, then slowing it, numbing
and paralyzing the sensory centres, giving
the impression of comfort and approach
to health that the victim is unable to cor
rect. The use of alcohol is quickly tol-
lowed by a train of degeneration that ls
always concealed in the early stages, and Is
unrecognized by the victim and often by
his friends.
The disease of inebriety is clearly asso-
ciated with criminality. In both o pro-
gressive degeneration of the higher moral
centres of the brain goes on with steady
decline of all brain vigor and health: No
other drug is known to science which has
so prominent an influence over the highest
and last formed elements of brain force
and structure. No other part of the brain
is so quickly damaged and diseased by al
cohol and concealed by delusions of the
senses.-Dr. T. D. Crothers, in Union Sig
nal