Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-03-07
INEBRETY is A DISEASE.
American Women More Absteminous
Than Their English Sisters.

II
Or. T. D. Crothers, superintendent
OF Walnut Lodge Hospital. Connecti-
cut, after studying conditions of in
ebriety as existing here and abroad,
said: "They are behind us in Eu-
rome in the treatment for inebriety. l
was unable to learn much there that
was new. They are using the gold
| cure now, and many practitioners
| are very enthusiastic about 1t. My
observations showed me that in Lon
| don the women drink a great deal
more than American women, but
don't think the men over there drink
as much as they do here. Fully ten
per cent. OF the business men in this
country use liquor. You would be
surprised to know how many busi-
ness men from various parts of the
country go to New York on periodi-
cal sprees. A large part Of the work
of house physicians in New York ho-
tells is treating business men from
out of town who are in this condt-
ton.
"There are only a few OF us now
who study inebriety and treat 1t as a
disease and in an intelligent manner
There are thousands of quaeks and
all kinds OF nostrums for the proven
ton of the alcoholic appetite. But It
will not be long before there are hun
dreds in the profession OF treating
this ailment scientifically where
there is one now. The large employ
ers of labor are looking for sober
menu Employers cannot trust men
who drink to excess.
''1hat the use for drugs is increas-
| ing is shown by the increased num-
Der of copyrights for certain sprepa-
rations taken out in Washington.
The extent TO which wood alcohol Is
used is appalling It is finding its
way into beverages as well as drugs
because means has been found to
neutrallze its acrid taste. It's effect Is
chiefly manifested by form OF
paralysis of the legs, which victims
mistake and often treat for rheu-
matism
'The increase in blindness and
dimness of vision is due to the use of
wood alcohol in beverages and also
for external purposes. In the latter
case enough of the poison is alb
sorbed 10 affect the eyes.
Sin hospitals less and less OF the
ordinary liquors are being used for
the reason that other drugs have
been found which are not only less
harmful. but also more powerful.
Statistics Of hospital mortality show
that where the liquor bills were
large the mortality was equally
large. and vice versa.
within the last few years the
manufacture and consumption Of
wood alcohol has attained enormous
pronortions, far beyond the legiti-
mate demands in the rrts and sci
ences. ITS acridity and irritating
qualities have been overcome TO lch
an extent that in all probability e IS
used in the place Of other xmas Of
alcohol, both as a beverage and
drug. It's special properties seem to
be on the sensory nerves. paricu-
larry that of sight, and some re-
markable cases Of blindness have
been reported which were clearly
due to this cause.
"A practical method has been
adopted in many OF the hospitals in
Europe and this country OF using
pure ethyllc alcohol diluted with wa.
ter TO suit the particular case There
can be no question that the crude,
unknown forms OF alcohol. as found
I'm brandies, whiskeys and wines of
different kinds, are exceedingly UNI
certain and dangerous drugs. Prob
the cheap California wines contain
the purest form of alcohol. The old
er the wine, whiskey or brandy the
more complex and dangerous are the
spirits and alcohol present. a
For many years ! have urged
that inebriates should be treated as
irresponsible, especially those who
had used spirits for any length of
time. These views were generally OPP
posed in the courtroom and when
urged in defense of criminal inc
briates have been regarded as I'M
criminal inebriates on this ground
was rare, but within the last few
years 1t is quite common and the
courts are obliged to recognize its
possibility and accept theories or
/ limited responsibility.
1.-THE older medical experts siren
uously deny the claims of disease in
inebriety and the more modern ply
sicians admit that under certain cir
cumstances insanity and irresponsi-
bility may be present. while a very
small number of experts insist on the
recognition Of mental impairment
and insanity OF all persons who use
spirits to excess"