Evening capital. (Annapolis, Md.) 1884-1910, 1907-07-31

American Women More Absteminons
Than Their English Sisters.

Than Their English sisters.
DIR. 7. ID. Crothers. superintendent
of Walnut Lodge Hospital. Connecu-
cut. after studying conditions of in
ebrfety as existing here and abroad.
said: They are behind US in Eu-
rope in the treatment for inebriety.
was unable 10 learn much there that
was new. They are using the gold
cure now, and many practitioners
are very enthusiastic about II. 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 10 know how many busi-
ness men from various parts OF the
country 20 TO New York on periodi-
cal sprees. A large part or the work
OF house physicians in New York ho-
tells is treating business men from
out OF town who are I'm this condi-
ton.
'There are only few OF ~ now
who study inebriety and treat II as a
disease and in an intelligent manner.
There are thousands OF quacks and
all kinds OF nostrums for the proven
ton OF the alcoholic appetite. But It
will not be long before there are hum
dreds in the profession OF treating
this ailment scientifically where
there Is one now. The large employ
-
men. Employers cannot trust men
who drink 10 excess.
"That the use for drugs IL increas-
ing Is shown by the increased num-
Der OF copyrights for certain prepa-
ratlons taken out In Washington.
The extent 10 which wood alcohol is
used Is appalling. IL Is finding It's
way into beverages as we'll as drugs
because a means has been found 10
neutralIze its acfid taste. It's effect 10
chiefly manifested By form OF
paralysis OF tho legs, which yictims
mistake and often treat for rbeu-
matism.
THE Increase IN blindness and
dimness Of vision is due 10 the use OF
wood alcohol IN beverages and also
for external purposes. In the latter
case enough OF the poison In abb
gorbed 20 affect the eyes.
I'm hospitals less and less OF the
ordinary liquors are being used for
the reason that other drugs have
been found which are not only lcgs
harmful, but also more powerful
Statistics of hospital mortality show
that where the liquor bills we're
large the mortality WAS equally
large, and vice versa.
within tho last few years the
manufacture and consumption Of
wood alcohol has attained enormous
proportions, far beyond the icgih-
mate demands IN the arts and gci-
enceg. It's acFidity and Irritating
qualities have been overcome 10 such
an extent that IN al probability u ~
used In the place Of other kinds Of
alcohol, both as beverage and
drug. It's special properties seem 70
be on the gcnsory nerves, particu-
iarIy that OF sight, and some re-
markabIc cases OF blindness have
been reported which were clearly
due 10 this cause.
"A practical method has been
adopted I'm 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 DO no question that the crude,
unknown forms OF alcohol, as found
In brandies, whiskcys and wines OF
different kinds, are exceedingly nn-
certain and dangerous drugs. Prob
the cheap California wines contain
the purest form Of alcohol. The old
err the wine, whiskey or brandy the
more complex and dangerous are the
spirits and alcohol present.
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 IN
criminal inebriates on this ground
was rare, but within the last few
years It 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 vino use