INEBRIETY AND INEBRIATE HOSPITALS IN AMERICA

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1674, 28 September 1887, Page 3

INEBRIETY AND INEBRIATE HOSPITALS IN AMERICA

One cf the moat interesting papers presented to the JUecent OolonSal and In.ernational Congress on Inebriety was a contribution by Dt T. C. Orothers, read by that gentleman at a reception tendered to him and his American colleagues, Ura Joseph Parrlsh, T. L. Wright, and E. P. Thwing by the Society for the study of Inebriety. Dr Crothera traced the origin of the American recognition of inebriety as a dlaeaae to Dr Benjamin Rush, and the firßt practical application of treatment m a epeoial home to Dr J . E. Turner, of Maine. Thero are now fifty different hospitals for inebriates m America, wilh over 1000 patients, besides aboat a 1000 under treatment iv private families and other surroundings. Most of these ca3es hrve been received after every other method of dealing with them had been tried and had failed, and m moet of (hem ibe disease had existed for from five to thirty years. Yet the experience of the few acientifiQ hospitals had beeu v»ry encouraging. In fully 3000 oases, thirtyfive per cent of those who had remained under treatment at least one year had been permanently reatored. Dr Crothera dilated on the marked Intensity of inebriety m America ajs compared with England, ascrlbiug this to the greater intensity of nervous function. He exposod the hoitownees of the pretensions of so called •'onrea" and "antidotes," and instated on the need for a special study of the ptcuiaxitieß of each case, and for strictly scientific treatment. In a paper read to the Ohicago Medical Association he haa related cabob illustrative of inebriate automatism, during which eoraaambulibticlike intervals the inebriate was clearly mentally irresponsible. — '• British Medical Journal."