HOW TO CURE DRUNKENNESS.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 854, 26 August 1871, Page 3

HOW TO CURE DRUNKENNESS.

It is generally understood that young persons, when first employed as pastry cooks, are permitted to surfeit themselves ad libitum on pies and sweetmeats, the grocer's apprentice is likewise allowed the fullest indulgence m snch delicacies as: guava jelly, preserved ginger, &c., the result being that in a very short time they become perfectly callous to the charms of the counter. From a little book recently published in London urder the title pf "The Home Nurse," we learn that iR the Austrian army a similar principle is adopted as a remedy for drunkenness, and medical reports state that of one hundred and thirty-nine cases subjected to the following regime, °D" hundred and twenty-eight cures of confirmed drunkenness have been efi'cted. The plan is as follows : Th.B taken in a state of indication, or purposely inebriated, is routined to his room where his diet is carefully and amply supplied to him, according to his choice. For his

drink he is allowed brandy and water m the proportion of one-third brandy and two-thirds water. Coffee with a small quantity of brandy is also allowed him. At first the treatment throws the patient into a constant state of intoxication and he sleeps much. At the end of three or four days he takes a dislike to his food and drink and asks for a change, which request, were it acceded to, would entirely prevent the completion of the cure. On the contrary, it must now be persevered in until the patient can no longer swallow food or drink, and even the smell revolts and nauseates the stomach, when the cure may be considered as effected. The shortest time for the continuance of the treatment is seven days, the longest nine. In order to prevent the congestion which might ensue, the patient must now be given gentle emetics that is, one grain of emetic in a Lottie of water, a wine glassful to be. taken every quarter of an hour in the morning fasting. Thi3 is followed by forty grains of magnesia daily, given in broth or gruel, placing the patient at first on a low, light diet, and then gradually increasing to his original rations. If, during the first part of the treatment, spitting of blood or couvulsions should result, it must not be persevered in ; therefore this mode of remedy cannot, on any pretence whatever, be adopted but by a medical man. In Russia drunkenness is also treated as a disease, and certain aromatic preparations are used as curative means. As a temporary remedy to restore the unfortunate victim to a state of sobriety, give him from ten to twelve drops of spirits of ammonia in a wine glass of water. This will be sufficient in a common case, but if the patient be positively drunk it may be necessary to give him this dose a second time, in which case it will generally act as an emetic (an advantage), when a short sleep will ensue, and the patient will awake restored. None but a medical man may .venture to apply the ammonia to the nostrils, as not only injurious but fatal effects may ensue.