173

Richard Gatling

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Autographs Start Price:NA Estimated At:800.00 - 1,000.00 USD
Richard Gatling

Bidding Over

The auction is over for this lot.
The auctioneer wasn't accepting online bids for this lot.

Contact the auctioneer for information on the auction results.

Search for other lots to bid on...
Auction Date:2018 Dec 05 @ 18:00 (UTC-5 : EST/CDT)
Location:236 Commercial St., Suite 100, Boston, Massachusetts, 02109, United States
ALS - Autograph Letter Signed
ANS - Autograph Note Signed
AQS - Autograph Quotation Signed
AMQS - Autograph Musical Quotation Signed
DS - Document Signed
FDC - First Day Cover
Inscribed - “Personalized”
ISP - Inscribed Signed Photograph
LS - Letter Signed
SP - Signed Photograph
TLS - Typed Letter Signed
LS signed “R. J. Gatling,” two pages, 5.75 x 9, February 21, 1898. Written from Cataract, Indiana, a letter to William J. Dornup, in part: "In answer to your inquiries regarding the use of alcohol and narcotics—I would say that in my opinion they are the most injurious and prejudicial to both the body and mind. There may be times when stimulants and narcotics, in individual cases become somewhat of a necessity—and for a time give increased strength, but in the end and when used to excess are sure to destroy the manhood and usefulness of those who indulge, weakening and clouding the intellect—until all the manhood is gone!—Man, under the influence of the demon alcohol—will do that which at other times he would scorn to do, and will lose his ideas of right and wrong—will lie, and even steal with impunity—It is in my opinion the cause of more than half the crime and poverty in the land. I really think there should be asylums provided at public expenses—for taking care of that class of people who are afflicted with this disease—(for it is a disease of the most terrible kind). They should be treated and cared for as the insane are;—inasmuch as the Government license the sale of liquor and derive a fine revenue from it.” In fine condition, with a torn crease to the lower left corner of the second page, and two small bits of old adhesive residue to the top of the first.

While Gatling railed against the use of drugs or alcohol in excess, he long believed that both proved invaluable for their abilities to dull pain and promote recovery. In an entry from one of his notebooks, dated 1849 and entitled ‘Gun shot wound,’ Gatling expounds on a variety of symptoms and his suggested remedies: ‘If larger joints & bones are much injured, amputation is often necessary—give stimulants, narcotics.’ For ailments such as ‘lockjaw’ or ‘stiffness of muscles about the neck—opium and alcohol in large doses is best remedy.’ A fascinating look into Gatling's strong views regarding the liberal use of drugs and alcohol.