RT Journal
A1 Crothers TD
T1 INebriety a disease.
JF Journal of the American Medical Association
JO Journal of the American Medical Association
YR 1899
FD September 9
VO XXXIII
IS 11
SP 679
OP 680
DO 10.1001/jama.1899.02450630055020
UL http://dx.doi.org/10.1001/jama.1899.02450630055020
AB Hartford, Conn., Aug. 26, 1899.To the Editor: 
    —The question of vice and disease in inebriety was first agitated in this country by Dr. Rush of Philadelphia, in 1809. He asserted that all inebriety should be regarded and treated as disease. This was called a wild, infidel theory. In 1829, Dr. Todd secured the passage of a resolution in the Connecticut State Medical Society, declaring inebriety a disease requiring medical treatment. This was termed rank heresy and so bitterly denounced that nothing more was heard of it. In 1854, Dr. Turner's project of an asylum for the medical treatment of inebriates as diseased, roused a more severe criticism. This continued with varying intensity until 1870. At this time the Association for the Study and Cure of Inebriety was organized, and its declaration of principles pronounced inebriety a disease, and curable. The religious press denied this with great bitterness, and denounced