That there has been a recent increase in the incidence of alcoholism in childhood and adolescence in the United States has been well documented. But it would be a mistake to consider this problem unique to the 1970's because almost a century ago physicians were just as concerned by what they believed was then a pronounced increase in the number of childhood alcoholics. For example, Dr. Thomas More Madden of Dublin wrote in 1884: I venture to submit the following remarks, on some developments of alcholism which have recently come under frequent observation in the hospital for children with which I am connected. The evils resulting from the abuse of alcohol were never so prevalent as at present, and are now traceable in the diseases of youth, as well as in those of adult existence... The history of two of the many cases of the kind that have come under my notice ... will probably best illustrate the subject of the present communication. Case I.–J. L., aged 8, was admitted into St. Joseph's Hospital, January 8th, suffering from delirium tremens. His mother was an habitual inebriate. His father, who was of sober habits, therefore, as soon as possible sent this child to be brought up away from her example. On the child's return home when nearly six years of age, the propensity for alcohol soon manifested itself; for, discovering a bottle of whisky secreted by his mother, he helped himself freely to its contents, became stupidly drunk, and thenceforward tippled whenever he could for nearly two years.
T. E. C. (Sun,) studied this question.