Republican news item. [volume] (Laport, Pa.) 1896-19??, 1905-12-21
DRINK HABIT NOW
TREATED AS A DISEASE
Removal of the Craving For Alcoholic
StiruIants Successfully Accom-
plshed by the Oppenheiner
Treatment.

Alcoholism in its advanced stages is
u disease. not vice, crime or sin.
The eloquent John b. Cough a re-
formed inebriate. was devout Chris
ton Besides, he stood upon the Amer
lean platform as the apostle of total
abstinence with every motive for so
briefly. but he fell many times and
wept bitterly over his humiliation. He
never dared pass il saloon unattend-
I'd by friend or member of his fam
lily, Reformed as he was morally ana
spiritually, he yet carried with him to
his grave diseased nervous system.
\ man on whom the alcoholic craving
has become fastened is us much vic.
tim Of disease as Il sufferer fren pneu-
mOniu or smallpox. 1t is Il disease re-
quiring special medical treatment, not
punishment or Imprisonment. AS IL dis.
ease it frequently brings idlenesS, i'm
morality, poverty and crime attendant
evils quite distinct from the disease it
itself. 1t wcakens the will. Injuries the
body, degrades the manhood and de
StroyS the earning capacity of the suf-
fCrer. Remove the disease and you
can restore the man.
The fundamental principle of the
treatment for alcoholism is the de-
struction Of that craving which
prompts the desire for intoXicatin
stimulants. Previous to inception of
this method of treatment the efforts
Of the medical profession We're directed
TO strengthening the mental control of
the patient. unmindful that the liquor
craving was not II perversion of idea
but disease resulting from irritation
of tie nervous mechanism of the indi-
vidUal. The craving, being a direct
outcome OF neurotic impulse. necessi-
tates treatment peculiarly adapted to
overcome the melting cause.
DR.. Isaac Oppenheimer, Il graduate
OF The College of Physicians and Sur
geons. New York Qnedical department
Of Columbia university, class of 1876.
for many years devoted careful atten-
tion to The study of diseases due to
alcoholic ANA drug addictions
In the tenement districts on the east
side Of New York among the suffering
poor he found his field of study There
amid the pathos ana the tragedy of
homes and lives wrecked hy ntemper-
ance he t0iled with unwearying Ger
man persistence for years and solved
the problem of finding an ideal medical
treatment.
For some time he maintained Il pri-
yatc sanitarium where cases along these
lines We're treated. His success in this
work was 50 marked that it attracted
the attention Of a number of promi-
Hont New York business men and phi
lanthropists who were interested in
temperance reform. They realized the
social and commercial value OF treat
mCnt that would actually remove the
craving for alcohol or drugs without
leaving any harmful after effects
After a most careful investigut ton
they We're convinced that Or. Oppen-
hcimer had such Il treatment ana de-
cided to lend their names ana financial
support 70 the Oppenheimer Institute,
organized for the purpose of extending
its field of usefulness.
The Institute is conducted on thor
oughly ethical lines. none but expert
cnced physicians being employed The
management is on a strictly business
basis. y large proportion of the med
ical profession is now cooperating
with the Institute by referring cases
to it for treatment. Every effort is
made to fully merit the confidence and
support Of all physicians and to assist
them by placing the facilities of the
Institute at their disposal
The work of the Institute. at first
confined to New York city, is gradually
being extended to many sections OF the
United States 1t has recently been
introduced into England and other
countries, where it has met with strik-
ing success. receiving the direct per-
sonal support of many of the most
prominent and influential persons.
Every one interested in the subject
should write or call ut the Oppen-
heimer Institute, New York city, and
receive full information.