A sad story, made more so by the poignance of its telling.

Though he was writing well before medicine knew of DNA, neurotransmitters, and how molecules of every sort actually affect the body, Lincoln was far ahead of his time in his understanding and compassion for the addicted. 

http://silkworth.net/washingtonians/GV/abraham_lincoln_on_alcoholism.html

We would do well to remember his wisdom.