The Washington herald., 1913-06-29

on the sixth day is reduced to 10 per
cent. the sedative should be doubled,
and on the seventh day no alcohol at
| all, but in its place maximum dose
| of the sedative- From this point on
the treatment consists in ''tapering on
the sedative until the thirteenth day the
patient should be taking neither alcohol
nor any sedative.
Probably the best drug for toning the
system after withdrawal are doses of a
mixture containing pot. brom- 10 grains.
ammon. carb. grains, TT. capsici IS
minims. inf. cinchonae acidum up TO 1
| ounce, every four hours This helps the
| stomach to return to its normal state
of ease and appetite.
All this comprises the first stage of
the cure.
Whether or not then the first stage Of
the treatment of inebriety is carried out
at home or in a special sanatorium. there
is no doubt that the second stage is best
carried out in such an institution where
those in charge have a thorough knowl-
edge, and. what is equally important.
; profound interest in their work. apart
altogether from its commercial stand
point. We venture to think that there
Is no abnormal condition to which man
is subject where the treatment calls for
such untiring hope. energy, patience.
sympathy. and firmness, and tact com
bined, as Is the case in the treatment OF
inebriety. and unless those qualities are
ingrained In the superintendent of an in
ebriety sanatorium, his work will suffer.
1t is work that he must do himself, and
cannot constantly delegate to those un-
der him.
Exercise II Important.
We win suppose that the first stage OF
treatment has been duly carried out at
home. or In an institution, and that the
patient is now commencing the second
stage in the best possible environment Of
a well-situated and well-conducted sana-
torium. We see nothing advantageous In
the administration of routine course Of
drug treatment to all and sundry. ire
spective of their individual physical and
mental symptoms. Speaking generally,
we think that those drugs should be used
which have been proved to alleviate or
cure such organic or functional physical
disorders of the patient We shall have
occasion to refer again to the routine
courses of drugs that are still being used
in the treatment of inebriety. OF the ut
most Importance in the treatment of this
stage are occupation and exercise; the
life should be an outdoor one as far as
possible At all events a certain amount
of outdoor exercise should be taken daily.
Such exercise should be as congenial
as possible to the patient, and preferably
be both mental and physical. Golf,
racquets. lawn tennis. croquet. bowls. are
all excellent forms Of exercise for such
patients as We are now dealing with. II
one particular exercise Ia unsuitable,
another Is thoroughly SO. all providing
interest as well az exercise. and insurinS
Especially golf long periods being spent
In the open. Hobbies of all sorts suitable
to the patients particular fancies should
be provided in a good sanatorium. In
door amusements and occupation should
also be provided a well-srocked library
being a sine qua non in such an irfstitu-
ton.
A certain amount of work. prefer
ably physical. should form part of the
treatment: many patients will do such
work II It Is provided for them: many
will do no work. or anything that sug-
gests work. We are Of opinion that en-
forced work Is OF comparatively little
value TO the patient. Exercise. whether
mental or physical. Is OF little, real value
unless 1t is done with a VIII and with
intelligence: whereas forced work. while
OF some little value to the employer, Is of
even less value to the worker.