Temperance prize essays / By Drs. Mussey and Lindsly.

Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Temperance prize essays / By Drs. Mussey and Lindsly. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    of short duration, are constantly becoming less intense, and will soon cease entirely. It would probably be advisable in these cases to make use of some stimulating articles of diet for a few days in the place of the liquid fire which the patient has been in the habit of employing, and which relieve and obviate the sense of sinking that so much oppresses him. Black,and cayenne pepper, ginger, infusion of camomile flowers, and other tonic bitters, preparations of steel, &c., may be advantageously employed for this purpose. ‘These remedial agents, when judiciously directed, com- municate an agreeable glow and excitement to the stomach, increase the appetite, and tend to lessen and alleviate those nervous feelings which so greatly harass the reforming drunkard. Congress, and other mineral waters may also be used for the _ Same purpose, and with a similar effect. In those cases where great restlessness and depression occur, with sleepless nights, a little opium may _ with propriety be resorted to. Of course, in all that has been said in relation to the cure of the habit of drunkenness, it is taken for granted that the consent and concurrence of the individual concerned have been obtained. Without this probably a permanent reformation has seldom if ever taken place. To deprive the drunkard by force of the intoxicating cup would, in all probability, only irritate him, and increase his desire to obtain it.* It has been sometimes re- * The following occurrence illustrates the overpower- ing attachment of the drunkard to his drink :—*A few years ago a tipler was put into an almshouse in a popu-