Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 35, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 20 May 1875 — The Ether Drunkard of Berlin. [ARTICLE]

The Ether Drunkard of Berlin.

One of the sad sights of our city is a man, whose history is worth relating, and who has been the subject of some interesting experiments by the physicians. This beggar, whose manner and speech may betray a man of cultivation and refinement, became so great a nuisance on the* streets that he was arrested and on the supposition of illness was sent to the hospital. He complained of languor, weakness, want of appetite and trembling in the muscles, and showed unmistakable traces of a neglected life. His cultivated speech contrasted strangely with his miserable appearance, and in a sane moment his physicians drew from him a history of his* misfortunes, given in a refined language and \vith a regretful pathos that made the recital painful to his hearers. In his youth, having a free, untrammeled life, he principally busied himself with philosophy and aesthetics, and had an inclination to mystical theology. He passed his examination at the gymnasium and university with credit. Soon afterward he came across a writing* of Dieffenback which described the use and effects of ether as a medicine, and gave such a glowing account of the condition of persons who were subjected to its influence that he could not resist trying the experiment. In 1865 he maae the hrst trial by inhaling two and one-half ounces of sulphuric ether. So soon as he was fairly under its influence he had a lively illusions or representations' in mystical theology that corresponded to hi*s turn of mina, and in which, as in hasheesh or opium, material space and time were entirely disregarded. He believed he had traveled all over the world and lived through unending time, though the stupor lasted but fifteen minutes. Feeling no bodily indisposition resulting from it, and not being perfectly satisfied with the result as he returned to consciousness just at Ihe moment all his wishes were about to he. realized, he repeated the experiment. The second time, however, the illusions of this dream-life were not so brilliant nor pleasant as befofe. In order to produce the same result he increased the | quantity, and soon the 1 inhalation that

was at first tried as an experiment changed’Jnto an uncontrollable desire, and step by step, as an intemperate drinker returns to hi* glass, the poor fellow resorted to the ether. At first he inhaled it only in his own room; but the desire grew so strong and the power over him was so irresistible that he had no rest and soon he was seen on the streets with a saturated handkerchief held to his mouth and nostrils, reeling from one apothecary to another, buying the ether in small quantities as his now limited finances would permit. He consumed at least three-quarters of a pound a day. Incapable of labor, a terror to the dwellers in whatever house he entered, and driven forth on account of the dreadful smell that always surrounded him, he became a houseless, homeless outcast, jeered and jibed at by &he bovs on the streets. When under the influence of the ether he reeled like abdrunken man; but at other times I Mve seen him with a cane striving as yjjfinly as a paralyzed man to make a Japp. In" the hospital he entreated Dr. Ew£,ld to subject him to the influence of ether in order that he might observe Scientifically its effect on his system. He used 207 grammes in thirty-three minutes, with all possible caution against evaporation, before he became at all under the influence, and then, even with this enormous quantity, unconsciousness remained but a moment. He came to himself directly after the inhalation ceased, and answered questions coherently and gave the appearance only of a person somewhat disturbed in his mind. The narcotic effects presented nothing new in science. The illusions were the same as those of any common drunkard. —Berlin Cor. Cincinnati Gazette.