Habitual Drunkards — images from the 19th and early 20th century

By Jack Brummet, Substance Abuse Ed.

At some point in American history (e.g., the 19th century), tough laws were enacted against habitual drunkards.  These laws were often far harsher than any measures enacted since against heroin, crack, or meth addicts.

According to the Free Dictionary/Legal Dictionary, a Habitual Drunkard was:

• A person given to ebriety or the excessive use of intoxicating drink, who has lost the power or the will, by frequent indulgence, to control his appetite for it.  

• By the laws of Pennsylvania an habitual drunkard is put nearly upon the same footing with a lunatic; he is deprived of his property, and a committee is appointed by the court to take care of his person and estate. Act of June 13, 1836, Pamph. p. 589. Vide 6 Watts' Rep. 139; 1 Ashm. R. 71.  

• Habitual drunkenness, by statutory provisions in some of the states, is a sufficient cause for divorce. 1 Bouv. Inst. n. 296. 

        [from A Law Dictionary, Adapted to the Constitution and Laws of the United States. By John Bouvier. Published 1856]

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