Insanity: Its Causes and Prevention

by Henry Putnam Stearns

Some years since I had occasion to examine the history of admissions to the Retreat, which at that time amounted to more than five thousand cases, and it was found that in more than one tenth of these cases the cause of insanity had been traced to the use of alcohol. This, however, did not embrace those cases which had inherited an unstable condition of brain in consequence of the use of alcohol by parents, and became insane for this reason.

Of the sixteen hundred insane and imbecile or feeble-minded persons in Connecticut at the present time, it is estimated that not less than one fifth have become so either directly or indirectly through the influence of alcohol. Some writers estimate the amount of insanity which is caused through the influence of alcohol, on parents and their children, in England, at a much higher proportion, than this. Statistics indicate that a considerably larger amount of spirits, beer, and wine, per capita, is used yearly in Great Britain than in the United States.

My present purpose, however, is to draw attention to the part it plays, more particularly when used not immoderately as a beverage (if any use of it as such can be so characterized), in creating a diathesis which renders the brain liable to unstable and irregular action. And I may remark at the outset that it does not so much signify in what form of beverage it may be used. The quantity taken is the important point—whether it be in the form of beer or wine, brandy or whiskey. The alcohol contained in any or all of these articles is the thing sought for, and its influence upon the brain is that of paramount importance and consideration.

In order that we may more clearly understand the manner in which the use of alcohol, in its various forms, as a beverage, tends to create an unstable condition of the nervous system and irregular mental activity, it becomes necessary to study, in some measure, its physiological effects upon the system, as they have been demonstrated by means of experiments conducted with scientific accuracy. This becomes the more necessary, as there has always existed, and still exists, in the public mind a firm belief that its effects are quite harmless, and may be even beneficial, if it is used in moderation only.

I. That the primary physiological effects of alcohol upon the nervous system are such as to cause, either directly or indirectly, a large increase of some of the functional activities of the body, has always been so well known, that alcohol has long been regarded as one of the most active stimulants. Hence its so general use in medicine. And yet, to how great an extent it acts as such, and how much is physiologically signified by its effects as a stimulant, especially upon the primary tissues of the body, has not been so well understood. That this may be rendered more clear in the mind of the reader, I shall now introduce some of the results of experiments conducted by Dr. Parkes and Count Wollowicz. These experiments were upon the person of a strong and healthy young man, and were intended to be as accurate as possible. They extended over two periods: the water period and the alcohol period, and were continued many days in succession. During the first period, the person used no other fluid than water, and the action of the heart was registered at regular intervals, a mean of the several registrations being taken as a basis for computation.

The same plan was followed during the alcohol period, and during the days while increased amounts of alcohol were administered. I herewith give the results in the words of their own report:

“The highest of the daily means of the pulse observed during the first, or water, period, was 77.5; but on this day two observations were deficient. The next highest daily mean was 77 beats.

“If, instead of the mean of the eight days, or 73.57, we compare the mean of this one day, viz., 77 beats per minute, with the alcoholic days, so as to be sure not to over-estimate the action of the alcohol, we find:

“On the 9th day, with one fluid ounce of alcohol, the heart beat 430 times more.

“On the 10th day, with two fluid ounces, 1,872 times more.