ABSTRACT
This chapter presents an address read out at the American Academy of Medicine, at Baltimore on May 6, 1895, which was then published in the Bulletin of the American Academic of Medicine, June 1895, under the title "What Shall We Do with Our Alcoholic Inebriates?" Alcoholic inebriety disturbs the inalienable rights of the peaceful citizen and imposes a heavy burden upon the taxpayer. As long as the moderate drinker keeps within the bounds of decency, has not become a nuisance, is able to take care of himself, his family, and his property intelligently, is not a menace to the peace and welfare of society, has committed no crime, the law cannot take any cognizance of his acts. For the treatment of the excessive inebriate many plans and devices have been suggested: some being the product of dense ignorance and a barbarian age, while others, the outcome of an enlightened spirit of scientific investigation.
