Inquiry into the Effects of Ardent Spirits upon the Human Body and Mind, with an Account of the Means of Preventing, and of the Remedies for Curing Them

Written in the late 18th century by Dr. Benjamin Rush, a signer of the Declaration of Independence, 'Inquiry into the Effects of Ardent Spirits upon the Human Body and Mind' examines the physical, social, and mental impacts of distilled liquors. Rush approaches alcoholism from a medical perspective, identifying physical causes rather than moral failings, and offers alternatives to distilled drinks along with remedies for intoxication. This work is notable for its early exploration of addiction and its implications for public health.