Many physicians to the insane, and they among the most celebrated, have abandoned the prescription of wines and spirits. Other practitioners have ridiculed the assertion that wines are tonics, and declare that they are more hurtful than helpful. Dr. Koch, who has written splendid and immortal works on degeneracy and prophylaxy of mental diseases, insists strongly on the uselessness of wine in therapeutics. Dr. Wearanden and Dr. Toulouse, celebrated French alienists, take the same view. Hereditary neuropaths especially manifest very often inability to endure alcoholic drinks. And since neuropaths are quite numerous, and among them many are predisposed to insanity, it is indispensable that they should abstain from every drink of this nature.
It is important to note here the objection one may make to abstinence from alcoholic liquors for neuropaths. Many of the predisposed remain apparently insensible to alcohol, while in reality this poison unconsciously inflicts upon them ravages which, at a certain stage of the malady, they are powerless to control. One should show himself much more severe in the recommendation of total abstinence when he deals with persons who manifest neuropathic symptoms. It should not be forgotten that generations issued from neuropaths will be more predisposed to insanity if their ancestors have used alcoholic drinks too freely.
At the end of the last century medicine, assuming a scientific character, began to undertake the study of alcoholism. Legions of authors have occupied themselves with this problem, and all without exception agree in recognizing the danger. It is impossible to cite the names of all in that illustrious company of workers and fighters who see in inebriety a menace against the very existence of the rebellious nations.
Dr. Debone, professor of the medical faculty at Paris, has arranged a comparative table of the consumption of alcoholic drinks. He mentions the quantity of such drinks for every 100 inhabitants:
