The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-10-10
THE GREAT DESTROYER
SOME STARTLING FACTS ABOUT
THE VICE OF INTEMPERANCE.

TIE VICE OF INTEMPERANCE.
Diseased Minds Crave Drink as An
aesthetic-Alcohol is a Remedy
For the New Mania-Steady
Drinkers Worst.
Inebriety as phase of insanity, a
disease that kills 100000 persons a
year, was the topic discussed by DR..
It. D. Crothers, Superintendent oi
Walnut Lodge Hospital, of Hartford,
Conn, before the British Medical AS.
sociation at Toronto, Canada.
In DR.. Crothers' opinion, the term
inebriety describes condition which
calls for alcohol for it's anaesthetic
effect, and in reality means a disease
of the brain for which alcohol is a
most grateful remedy. The use OF
alcohol, he said, is in most cases a
symptom of some disorder, and not
as supposed, the cause, and the theo-
ry that the excessive use of spirits
is vice and moral condition is not
true. Great injustice and wrongs
follow the efforts to correct this evil,
based on these false theories, while
a scientific study of inebriety indi-
Gates a definite disease, with distinct
causes, progress, and termination, the
same as other diseases.
1.-TWO marked symptoms Of insani-
ty are prominent" DR.. Crothers con-
tinued. "One is found in the periodic
1r;r ,ho 1,.in nlyc To n
short period, then abstains. This
drink period is practically an acute
mania, or insane impulse, which re-
sists all efforts of control. 1t is often
preceded by insomnia, headaches, and
great irritability. Such persons drink
both secretly and openly, and act like
insane persons. The disease resem-
bles epilepsy in its sudden, convul-
sive onset and the inability to break
up or control it except by the harsh
est measures.
I'm many cases there are distinct
premonitions of the drink storm in
conduct, reasoning, and appearance
which the victim does not realize.
In others there seemsto be full con-
sciousness of it's coming, and extra
ordinary care is taken to make the
attack as light as possible and with
little pecuniary loss. Such patients
make elaborate preparations in busi-
ness affairs, providing for their abb
sence, explaining that they expect to
be away on business. Many persons
suffering in this way are influential
and are burdened with cares and re-
sponsibilities. They suddenly disap-
pear from their business, secreting
themselves in some out-of-the-way
place, drinking to great excess for a
few days or weeks, then returning.
These concealed drink storms are
very common among business and
professional men, and not infrequent-
ly there is a remarkable periodity in
the return of the drink impulse.
I'm one instance the free interval
was exactly ninety-one days and the
drink storm nine days. In another
the interval was 210 days and the
length of the storm about five days.
Another large class of patients
are secret midnight drinkers, who
never drink at any other time. Often
the drink l.roXysm brings out a diff
ferent personality, and the patient
while drinking is an entirely differ
ent character in reasoning and con-
duct.
Certain atmospheric and electri-
cal conditions seem to be active in
precipitating the drink attacks. One
man only drinks at the seashore, an
other on high elevations. One drinks
in certain climates and seasons Of the
year and at no other time. Man;
persons drink heavily in large citia
and are strict abstainers elsewherd
These cases all have marked herec
ity from neurotic parents, and mos
of them show defects and Irregular
ties of nutrition, absence Of prope;
sleep, and strains and drains. Pneu
monia, apoplexy, consumption ant
paralysis are the common termina
tions.
Another form of insanity is seer
in the constant drinker, who drinks
daily in so-called moderation, and
because he is not incapacitated, be-
lieves that he is benefited. Meas.
urements by instruments of precision
and careful studies Of persons who
SFOA III ~ -SesttSN
small quantities, indicate that they
are the most degenerate and defective
Of all inebriates, and the most posi-
lively insane in a general sense.
TESTS show that the action of al
cohol is accumulated, and both the
brain and nervous system are per-
manently deranged.
THE insanity of inebriety is a med
ical subject, and until the profession
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 civ
ilization, and this is the new field of
practice for medical men in every
community. 1t is our duty to lift
it out of the realm of credulity and
quackery, and bring it into the field
of exact science. Then, and only
then, shall we be able to provide
exact means and measures for its pre-
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