Dipsomania and its treatment by suggestion / by J. Milne Bramwell.

  • Bramwell, J. Milne (John Milne), 1852-
Date:
[1900?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: Dipsomania and its treatment by suggestion / by J. Milne Bramwell. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    {Reprinted from the Proceedings of the Society for the Study of Inebriety,'' June, 1900]. DIPSOMANIA AND ITS TREATMENT BY SUGGESTION BY Dr. J. MILNE BRAMWELL. Although I intend to refer to dipsomania alone, I do not wish it to be supposed that this is the only form of intemperance which can be cured by suggestion. I have chosen this class for the simple reason that nearly all my inebriate patients have belonged to it. First, a word as to dipsomania itself, and the distinctions between it and ordinary alcoholism. A typical case of the former presents the following phenomena :—The patient, during a period of total abstinence, begins to be haunted with ideas about drink. This is soon followed by the desire to drink. At first this impulse is strenuously combatted by the will; it then becomes irresistable, as the torture of the craving is' so great that the patient feeh it must be gratified at any cost. Even yet his will and conscience have not ceased to struggle, and he determines to satisfy the craving with the least amount of alcohol possible, and not give way to a drunken bout. As soon, however, as the first glass is taken the craving is increased mstead of diminished, and the will, in despair, now abandons the struggle It feels itself incapable of carrying on successfully. 1 he patient drinks in excess for a period varying from a day to a week or more; then the craving suddenly disappears.