344 REPORTS FROM THE SECTIONS. 
prominent pathological changes produced by alcohol in — struc- 
ture of numerous organs where its effects have been carefully 
studied. The brain and nerve structure of lunatics should present 
a corresponding condition if the cause of insanity were drink. 
The post-mortem rooms of hospitals for the insane afford little or no 
frequent if these Pome had been drunkards. The — of 
the drink in which it is taken has perhaps a 
share in the produetini of insanity, at all events in this Colony, 
than the quantity. The quality of the beverages supplied in 
roadside ry ecgene public-houses, and even in Sydney and 
the lar; as I need hardly remind you, abominably bad. 
distillation, direct adulteration is largely practised. Kerosene, 
tobacco, cocculus indicus, and other deleterious substances, are 
freely used, and there can 8h no doubt that these poisons, to use 
the See of the Laurea 
**Confuse the oy St of the blood, 
And tickling the brute brain within the man’ 8, 
Make havock among those tender cells.” 
The system of drinking which is almost unknown in older countries 
has also not a little to answer for. Short and reckless outbursts of 
g, alternate with prolonged and often compulsory periods 
of abstinence. These horrible — on bad liquor may, and no 
sanity. 
believe that the amount "of inomiatty caused by drink 
set down as due to this cause. an 
intemperance in drink. Calculating the cost of pire mm 
our hospitals for the insane at from £150 to £200 per bed, and 
with the high price of labour it has not been much — we have @ 
primary outlay for these 200 cases of from £30,000 to £40,000, 
and an annual maintenance rate of upwards of £6, 000 a-year. 
The prevention of insanity due to drink becomes in ‘oh 
a vast social as well as a medical enlace solution of whi 
is, I ong to be largely found— to 
Ist. In the a of the number of public-houses, 80 48 
lessen unwholesome com 
2nd. 2 the aswell and Serseit inspection of all liquors 
3rd. om ‘ed introduction into common use of sound light apn 
the many forms of effervescent drinks, and more 
ee 
seats 
