Dipsomania

Dipsomania, or OINOMANIA, as it is now sometimes termed, is a recurrent form of insanity, and consists in a paroxysmal craving for stimulants which impels its victim to indulge the insane propensity at all hazards. An attack, when once begun, is almost invariably carried on until the poison puts an end to the possibility of further excesses, either by sheer exhaustion of the system or by failure of the digestive processes. When the paroxysm has passed, there may be a prolonged period of abstinence, but contact with alcohol in any form is apt to be but the prelude to another lapse into the insane gratification of the imperious appetite. This condition is usually associated with mental decay, and more especially with moral degradation; and the sufferer sinks into a condition in which he shows little intellect beyond the low cunning and tricky deceit necessary to obtain the means wherewith to indulge his impulsive craving for drink. It occasionally arises from vicious habits due to want of self-control and self-respect, but much more commonly has its origin in some inherited tendency to mental disturbance. Dipsomania is therefore, as might be expected, one of the many manifestations of hereditary unsoundness of mind. Viewed in this light, the present state of the law in Great Britain is entirely inadequate to meet such cases, and it is to be hoped that legislation may be obtained granting powers to deal effectively with them, and prevent the grave social evils which they produce. See ALCOHOLISM, INSANITY, and INEBRIATES.