The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1909-03-20
ALCOHOL The TOPIC
Three-day Discussion of the
Drink Evil Ends.
NOTE OF OPTIMISM SOUNDED
Experts Affirm Inebriety Among the
American People Can and VIII BE
Result, However, Vary-Next Meet
Ing Here In November


and instructive discussion OF the causes
Of inebriety and its prevention. the Amer
lean Society for the Study Of Alcohol
and other Drug Narcotics. adjourned
last night
The scientists will meet again In this
! city In November. and present the latest
and most authoritative conclusions con
corning the alcohol problem
Each meeting has been largely attend
ed at the Raleigh Hotel. and every ad-
dress has elected debate that is consid-
/ cred by the officers Of the association
prophetic Of greater activity in the fu-
ture.
With but few exceptions. every physi-
clan and specialist IN alcoholism who has
addressed the semi-annual convention
has expressed a note OF optimism that
augurs well for the success Of the move
ment While tie experts have affirmed
that inebriety among the American PEG
pie can and viii be cured. they have ex-
pressed varying methods by which this
end will be reached.
Feature OF Last Day.
The feature of the third days meeting
yesterday was the address. Alcohol AS
a cause Of epilepsy. given by DR.. w p
Spratling, Of Johns Hopkins University.
The paper was applauded, and was heard
with interest by those delegates who have
made a psychological study OF the sub
ject.
According TO Dr.. Spratling there is no
drug or medicine known which is so
prominent a cause Of epilepsy as alcohol.
He is OF the opinion that from % 20 90 per
cent Of all cases OF epleptics are trace
able 10 the use OF alcohol. From 20 70 50
per cent Of alcoholics have epileptic symp-
toms in some form or other.
Alcohol acts directly In causing ex-
plosive fits OF Inconsistencies, and in
directly By cultivating a tendency Of the
nerve energies 10 explode IN cOnvulsive
acts Often the periodic drinker is an
epileptic. and his drink storms resemble
fit" said the speaker.
DR.. L. F. Keller. chief Of the drug
division OF the Bureau Of Chemistry.
again entertained the scientists by exhib-
iting specimens Of devices used by ped
dlers Of cocaine and other narcotics.
He continued the address made by DR.
Wiley on the preceding day, and con-
demned certain tonics and beverages as
unhealthful and dangerous
some Cnuses and Effects.
D. H. Kress. superintendent OF the
Washington Sanatorium, was the priaci-
pal speaker at the closing session last
night His paper was entitled Dyspepsia
and its relations 70 inebriety."
DIT. Kress declared that the functional
and organic disturbances OF the stomach
are both a cause and effect OF using al
cohol.
"AH forms Of alcohol are dangerous
remedies for stomach troubles. he said
While quieting the pain and discomfort
for the time. u creates new sources Of
arrangement and exhaustion. All forms
OF spirits at meals are Injurious. and
this is a physiological fact above all
theories. Spirit remedies for stomach
diseases are COntradiCted by scientific re-
search and shown 10 be most dangerous. "
In the discussion that followed Dr.
Kress' address IL was developed that i'm
proper food often causes men 10 drink.
and thus lead 10 inebrlety.
DR.. Q. II. Hughes. Of St Louis. editor
OF the Alienist and Neurologist. IN a
brief discourse. said alcohol scars the
race and taints 1t with as much GER
LdllLT as QDeS EDnelul pLlOL-
"Heredity is not a theory. but a fact.
which can be seen with great distinct
ness, asserted Dr. Hughes "The al
coholic is certainly Gripping his descend
ants. diminishing their vitality. and
making life harder and more periIoUs."
Experimental Poisoning.
DR.. H. J. Berkeley. clinical professor
Of psychistry in Johns Hopkins Univer-
sity, Baltimore. expounded theories OBJ
tanned by experimental poisoning. His
conclusion was that any use Of alcohol
was dangerous. because its effects varied
so widely on man and animal
DR.. George II. Benton. Of Sterling, W
Va. followed with a paper on Toxins
as active causes OF inebriety." lie de-
ciared that alcohol is a toxin that is con-
stantly changing, not absorbing water OF
the body, but deranging all the cell ma
terial Of the body. Alcohol, he added
furnished soil for the growth of bacteria
or a poisonous character.
Alcohol IN any form cannot proIone
life he concluded.
At the afternoon meeting the following
addresses were read: Alcohol and pub
lie health by DIT. George II. Webster.
president Of the Illinois state Board Of
Health: Some conclusions from labora-
tory researches concerning the action or
alcohol on the cell and tissues" By Dr.
W S. Hall, OF the Northwestern Uni
versity.
The women and physicians who are
here in connection with the convention
took an automobile tour Of the city yes
terday. preceding the afternoon session