The Washington herald., 1909-03-18
DOCTORS DISCUSS
ALCOHOL PROBLEM
Treatment of InebPiateS De-
scribed at Big Meeting.
SPECIALISTS GIVE EXAMPLES
American Society, Organized I'm 1870,
10 Fight the Drink EVIL, Meets mt
the Raleigh-FirSt Days Session
OF the COnventfOn-Disease Il Rec
OgniEed and Plans for Cure Onered.

The alcoholic problem IN all its phases
was analyzed and commented upon by
physicians OF national reputation at the
first days session OF the convention of
the American Society for the Study of
Alcohol and other Narcotics at the Ra-
leigh Hotel yesterday.
Organized IN 1870, this society was the
first medical association in the world 10
take up the study OF alcohol and the
diseases following its use from a seienti-
nc point OF view. and has since agitated
the question widely and been instru-
mental in having legislation affecting the
matter passed. Many prominent men
from different parts Of the country are
attending the meetings 10 present the
latest authoritative conclusions. based on
laboratory and clinical experience con
cerning the problem as questions OF sci
ence, both medical ana hygienic.
In nearly every paper read before the
congress alcoholism was termed dis
ease. and there were given interesting ex-
amples of the treatment and care ac-
corded inebriates The need OF state
institutions for inebriates was urged by
the speakers.
The urgent need OF legislation for in
ebriates" was the subject Of the first pa
per. read by L. d. Mason, N. D.. Of
Brooklyn, y. Y, vice president Of the so
ciety. c. A. ROsenwasseT. NJ. d, Of New
ark. n. J.. chairman OF the New Jersey
commission OF crime and dependency.
spoke on the THE rational treatment OF
inebriates
Present Laws Criticised.
The true mental and physical status Of
the inebriate and his responsibility were
touched upon by Or. Mason. and the IN
efficiency Of the present law for inebriates
was scored By him. its specific faults be-
ing shown. He referred to repeated ar
rests. short-tcrm committals. and the
great expense involved. and said the pres
ent law IS not reformatory or deterrent,
but Is pernicious. a promoter Of drunken
ness. and puts premium on vice.
Following a digest OF the laws Of the
several States. the adaptabllity Of the
present law Tor the insane. modified to
meet the needs Of the inebriate, was dis
cussct. one of the most important recon-
meuda tons made by Dr. Mason was the
need Of an inebriate commission 20 license
and control retreats. homes. and other in
stitutions for the treatment or the in
ehriate. and 70 inspect public Institutions
Of a similar character.
Other points touched upon by the
physician were the need OF a central
hospital or clearing house in all cities.
need OF State hospitals for inebriates.
special classifcations and segregation of
inebriates. provision for voluntary as
well as involuntary cases, characteristics
of inebriate asylum, methods OF commit
tai. probation and parole. economical con
sideratlons and control and institutional
labor
Important Measure Needed.
In closing. DIT. Mason spoke OF the need
OF an important special and political
economic measure for the removal from
our cities Of an enormous army Of in-
competent. irresponsible persons. dan
gerous 70 themselves and others, from
streets and various public and private
charitable institutions. and by specializa-
iion and classification. placing them un-
der institutional control for a definite and
sufficient lengthy period.
Dr. J. II. kellogg. Of Battle Creek.
Mich. superintendent Of the Battle Creek
Sanatorium. took as the subject for his
paper. The therapeutics OF the treatment
OF inebriety.'
"The effects Of alcohol on the body.
from a scientific point OF view" was the
subject OF the paper read by Or. B. G.
Keister OF Roanoke. Va. superintendent
OF the Virginia SanatOrium for Mental
and Nervous Diseases. Dr. Albert Cor
don. Of Philadelphia, professor Of mental
and nervous diseases IN the jefferson
Medical College. read the closing paper.
on Mental responsibility IN acute and
chronic alcoholic intoxication."
General Discussion Held.
When the last paper had been read.
general discussion was INDUCED in by the
Following: Dr. T D. Crothers. Hartford.
Conn: DR.. c. A. Rosenwasser. Newark.
y. J.: Dr. L. n Mason. Brooklyn. n. Y.
DIR. T. A Williams, Washington. d. c.
Or. Arthur Macdonald. Washington. d
c.; Or. II. O. Marcy. Boston: DR.. Alfred
Gordon. Philadelphia. and DR.. G. II
Benton. Chester. ". Va. The discussion
was pregnant with important scientific
facts.
The Congress meets at ? o'clock to-day.
when will begin the most interesting ses-
sion of the convention. One OF the min
cipal speakers will be DR.. Harvey "A
Wiley, government chemist, who viii take
as his subject Alcohol as a poison in
the adulteration Of foods and drinks"
Papers were read yesterday morning
by DR.. Henry o. Marcy, OF Boston. ex-
president Of the American Medical Asso-
citation; Or. Howard a. Kelly, OF Balti-
more. professor Of diseases of women AZ
Johns Hopkins Hospital: DR.. T ID.
Crothers OF Hartford. Conn, superin-
tendent Of Walnut Lodge Hospital: DR.
c II. Hughes. of St Louis. Mo. editor
OF the Alienist and NeurOlOgist. and Miss
G F Stoddard, OF Boston. secretary Of
the Scientific Temperance Federation Lsr,-