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Mark Twain Forum <[log in to unmask]>
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"Marcus W. Koechig" <[log in to unmask]>
Date:
Wed, 19 Feb 1997 14:48:36 -0500
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>What analysis has been done on the actual
>amounts, doseage and quality of the booze and tobacco Twain used?
>
>It's clear he was able to function very well on some levels and we
>are richer for it.

In Kay Redfield Jamison's "Touched with Fire, Manic-Depressive Illness and
the Artistic Temprament," Samuel Clemens is identified in Appendix B as a
writer with probable cyclothymia, major depression, or manic-depressive
illness. All of the above go hand in hand with self-medication by way of
alcohol and/or other drugs which sometimes are used to extend the fantastic
highs and at other times to relieve the suffering of the sometimes fatal
depression.

Did Twain drink? No doubt about it. Did he drink to medicate himself and,
while so medicated, continue to work? We can only guess.


Marcus W. Koechig

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