From official figures1 compiled under the direction of the French ministry of the interior, of the total number of insane in the French asylums and the proportion due to alcoholism, it appears that out of a total of 71,551 inmates the insanity of 9,932 was credited to alcoholic excesses, a percentage of 13.88; 7,062 were males, 2,870 females. In 3,008 alcohol was said to be the sole cause; in 3,285 there was also a complication of mental weakness or degeneracy or alcoholic heredity, and in 3,639 alcoholism combined with other causes. It was sought also to ascertain the form of alcoholic excess, with the following result: 1,537 individuals were absinthe habitués; 2,631 were brandy drinkers; 664 were cider or beer drinkers; 1,755 used wine, and in 3,345 the insanity was credited to the use of various alcoholic drugs ("aperitifs") or liquors. These figures, while carefully compiled, are, after all,