The disease of inebriety from alcohol, opium, and other narcotic drugs : its etiology, pathology, treatment and medico-legal relations / arranged and compiled by the American Association for the Study and Cure of Inebriety.

  • American Association for the Study and Cure of Inebriety.
Date:
1893
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The disease of inebriety from alcohol, opium, and other narcotic drugs : its etiology, pathology, treatment and medico-legal relations / arranged and compiled by the American Association for the Study and Cure of Inebriety. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    Men who suffer from periodic attacks live a little longer than those whose attacks are chronic in their nature. Among women the periodic is more common during the whole of the time of the existence of the generative func- tions. Chronic dipsomania in women more often comes on later in life. Chronic Dipsomania.—We are certain that this is the most common form. Those suffering from it generally commence drinking at an early age, usually 17 or 18, and by 30 years of age most of them have died. They die either from the direct effects of the drink they are continually consum- ing, or else from diseases induced by it, such as absolute insanity or diseases of liver and kidneys. The disease is not generally recognized in the first few years of its course, as the patient’s friends and relatives merely suppose him to be living a little too fast, and that he will pull up soon. However, after a few years it is found that he is never really free from the effects of liquor. He is hardly ever really drunk, but is never sober. As we have said before, cham- pagne is the usual drink during the first years of a dipso- maniac’s career. When he takes more than enough, it shows its effects by making him very sleepy, and he will lie down at the most unusual times and places, and fall off into an apparent dead sleep, from which it is very difficult to awake him, and if one does so, he usually manifests a disgusting temper, and will curse and swear at his best friends. This sleep does not rest the brain at all, as when they do wake up voluntarily they are by no means refreshed, and immediately have recourse to another stimulant, which generally freshens them up for a short time, but they very soon require re-stimulating. In the early days of their career, these men often go through a large amount of fatigue, and consequently for a time ward off the mental effects of their drinking. They will hunt vigorously and shoot, walking long distances, but the excitement of horse exercise is what they most delight