The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1906-09-12
SAYS DRINKING IS A DISEASE.
The Opinions of a Noted Physician
on Causes of Inc briefly.


DR.. T. D. Crothers, superintendent
of Walnut Lodge Hospital, Hartford
Conn, in an address before the Brit
ish Medical Association, Friday, on
The Insanity of Inebriety,"" takes
grounds that are in advance of any
we have read touching upon the sub
| ject of dipsomania Yet, what he has
to say is based upon careful observa-
tons as a hospital physician, and
must appeal to the common sense of
every person who has given the sub
ject attention.
He declares that the term inebrie-
ty" describes a condition which calls
for alcohol for it's anaesthetic effect,
and in reality means a disease or dis
order of the brain for which alcohol
is a most grateful remedy" He goes
still farther by saying that the use of
alcohol is in most cases a symptom
of some disorder, and not, as sup
posed, the cause. The theory that the
excessive use of spirits is vice and
moral condition is not true, he de-
clares.
Great injustice and wrongs, he says,
follow the efforts to correct this evil,
based upon false theories. A scientific
study of inebriety indicates a definite
disease, with distinct causes, progress
and determination, the same as other
diseases.
Dr. Crothers, in his. address, takes
up the different forms of drinking and
says that in many cases there are dis
tinct premonitions of what he calls
the drink storm in conduct, reason
ing and appearance, which the victim
does not realize. In others there
seems to be a full consciousness
of it's coming, with extraordinary care
and preparation to make the attack as
light as possible and with little pecun-
larry loss. He cites, in substantiation
of this proposition, instances of bust
ness men in this age of activity.
He relates the effect of alcohol upon
the victim There is temporary ex-
altation and egotism, together with a
delusion as to health and vigor, which
are significant. Confidence in ones
ability to stop drinking, accompanied
by no cessation, is an unfailing proof
of the growth of alcoholic insanity.
The brain centers and the power Of
control are constantly depressed be
low the level of normal living, and
death from pneumonia, Bright's dis
ease or acute Inflammation and injur-
les are common.
Exact studies show that fully 100,-
600 persons die annually from the eff
fects of alcohol and drugs" DR.. Croth-
ers says, 4" and up to this time, the
principal remedies offered are the
prayer, the pledge and the fine and
Imprisonment, the latter of which ac-
tually increases and intensifies the
condition. The insanity of inebriety
is a medical subject, and until the pro-
fession has taught the public the facts
of this disease and the rational means
Of treatment the utmost confusion will
prevail This is the new army of the
insane, developed by our civilization,
and this is the new field of practice
for medical men in every community
of the country 1t is our duty to lift
it out of the realm of credulity and
uuackery, and bring it into the field
of exact science. Then, and only then
shall we be able to provide exact
means and measures for it's proven
ton and durability"
In recent years drinking has come
to be more and more recognized as
disease. Some of the new points made
by DR.. Crothers are worthy of con-
sideration by his fellow physicians
and moralists alike.-Savannah News.
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