TINCTURE OF CINCHONA AS A REMEDY FOR DRUNKENNESS.

Temuka Leader, Issue 167, 6 August 1879, Page 3

TINCTURE OF CINCHONA AS A REMEDY FOR DRUNKENNESS.

On this subject Surgeon-Major Adams, writing from Lanark, N. 13., to the ( Lancet,’ says that the following approximation to the treatment for the cure of drunkenness, as advocated by Dr Robert D Ungar, of Chicago, and successfully carried out by bim in about 2000 cases, is my single experience ; but as it throws some feeble light upon the subject of inquiry, I beg to p’ac? it upon record. Immediatly after the article had appeared in the papers 1 was called upon to attend a gentleman, whose habits for a number of years' has been notoriously intemperate. At tire date of my visit he was labouring under incipient delirium tremens ; but was so far sensible that, having had his fling, he was desirous of avoiding the consequences by getting some remedy to quench if possible bis insatiable thirst for further stimulation, to soothe Iris shattered nerves, and to induce sleep. I was urged by a relative to try this new American plan, as other remedies on former occasions had been productive of little good. The particular tincture of the cinchona rubra not being available, I ordered twent} 7 minims of Battley’s liquor of cinchona to be given every hour instead. This was done, and after taking about two drachms his craving for the time being entirely ceased, his nerves were strengthened, be slept, and, in fact, was quite '.veil again in two days. Alas ! however, for the alleged virtues of cinchona in reclaiming the drunkard, and creating within him a lasting distaste for alcoholic stimulents. My drunkard, in fact, seemed to return to his old habits with redoubled zest for in less than a month I was again summoned, and on this occasion found him labouring under a sharp attack of delirium tremens. 1 prescribed cinchona as before, which in a very short time seemed to satisfy and quench his enormous craving for strong drink, and without further treatment 1 had him well again, and I fear read} 7 for a fresh tart in four days. To sum up and draws deductions from this small atom of evidence, coupled with a common-sense view of the whole question, it seems to me absurd to think that cinchona or any other remedy can effect a permanent cure, or create in the habitually intemperate a lusting aversion for alcohol. Although a hard task, and too often a most helpless one, yet this most loathsome disease of drunkeuess is frequently curable—curable* however, by moral means, not by physic ; but the physician, whether he be lay or professional, must not expect a cure unless he himself be in earnest, patient, and strong. It may, however, be found that cinchona or quinine is capable of producing all the immediate curative effects claimed for it in America, and, being a most simple and excellent remedy, it is well worthy of our serious attention at home. I mean to give it a further and fair trial ; but, 'although Scotland is thought to offer a fair field for such investigations, I earnestly trust that it will be a very long time indeed before anyone of us can bring forward such .an array of evidence as we have from Chicago.