Preface.

Much misapprehension exists as to the nature of Inebriety, which has led to mistaken treatment of the inebriate by his friends, and to his wrongful punishment by the law.

In the following paper, which was read before the Otago Branch of the N.Z. Institute, the writer has endeavoured to show that inebriety is a physical disease rather than a moral vice—an opinion held by many high authorities; and he publishes the paper in the hope that the dissemination of such views may have some effect in determining Legislation for the Care and Cure of Inebriates.