ALCOHOLOGY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 191, 22 November 1910, Page 3

ALCOHOLOGY.

CURES FOR ALCOHOLISM.

(Published by Arrangement)

It is quite within the scope of alcohology to' consider what cures, if any, can be recommended for drunkenness. One of the latest writers on this is G. B. Cutten, 8.D., M.A., Ph.D., of Yale University, U.S.A. He has written a valuable work "The Pschology of Alcoholism," and his concluding chapters deal with the means that have proved most, effective in reclaiming those who have become drunkards. While at one time in the history of our race drunkenness was considered a very venial offence, it is not so now. No one starts in life with the intention of being a drunkard —drunkards are only moderate drinkers who have failed, they thought that they | were able to drink in moderation; or, i as some say, they could drink or leave it alone, but while that was the case with them c.t the beginning of their career, it was not so at the end—they profess as loudly as ever their ability to leave it alone, but don't. The only safe course for any one is total abstinence. Dr. Samuel Johnson, who is celebrated for his sound common sense, gave up wine at one time and he said thas his reason was that he di'd not know but that he might become a drunkard. Many wise, clever men have fallen through drink, and all their wisdom and cleverness could not redeem them. Of every drunkard it may be said that there was a time whet he could give it up if he would; now there are a great number who would give it up il' they could. There are two or three things that are very clearly seen in the I drunkard: In the first place he cannot [ be cured against his will; his only safety j is in total abstinence, hard tiiough it may be for him he can't trifle with it and be a moderate drinker. Then it is ! admitted by the best authorities that THERE IS NO DRUG CURE.

At a meeting of tna New York Academy of Medicine whew a large number of specialists were assembled to consider this question of how to cure drunkenness, not one of them suggested a drug cure. They had only two cares, both of which were psychological rather than physiological. They were hyrwvotism and religious conversion. It is s* much a question of will to cure the drunkard; and while, as said above, he often would refrain if he could, his will is wanting when the itemptation comes. 'Anything that can support his weak, but better, intentions to refrain from the drink is of the greatest value. Here Dr. Cutten finds hypnotism helpful. The patient receives a suggestion that, {he drink is nasty and will make him sick, or is dangerous and will do him serious harm; or that he doc-s not like it and so will not take it. These things sire helps, but there must be a sincere desire to break from the drink; and what wfil give that sincere desire? There. is mucftl of interest in. Dr. Clitten's book about I hypnotism as a cure, only we must leave i it for the other and best remedy of RELIGIOUS CONVERT TON". j This is undoubtedly the gre.it cure— j one might say in many cases tile flftly cure. A resder of the reports of the many successful missions in the slums of our cveat cities will find lots of evidence that conversion cures even those who were apparently past all hope. The life and work of Jerry Mc.Auley and Rev. S. H. Hadlev in the Water Street Mission proves the power of religion, .rightly grasped, to save the very worst. Mr. Harold Begbie's book is perhaps still more recent. In' "Broken Earthenware" he cites, eases of who, w^rerbprji

religious faith cured them effectually. As Dr. Kerr puts it. "Not spiritual hysteria, not theological dogma, but true and unsullied religion is a grand support to the feeble, fitful, and unstable wiil of the diseased inebriate.'' Cn-(loubtc-dly in conversion there is. as JDr. Chalmers called it, "the expulsive power of a new ail'ection;" and that gives the victory. To return to our authority: ''ln religious conversion, then, we have the most effacious cure of alcoholism. This is scientifically established. The reisons for this are that, apart from the divine element, there is installed a desire for reform; and a change of associations and an emotional substitute are provided." The convert sees drunkenness as a sin and in his renewed nature turns from it, and from all belonging to it. There is one thing that remains for every moderate drinker to ask himself: Am I safe as a moderate drinker? Would it not be wiser to renounce the drink altogether than to run so great a risk for a mere appetite?