In cases of shock, collapse, typhoid state, and profound asthenia, where stimulants cannot be swallowed, whisky or other spirits may be injected hypo dermically, with the advantage of rapid absorption and speedy action, according to some authors, but the belief is gaining ground that it is more harmful than beneficial.
[We are glad to observe that the truth concerning the noxious action of alcohol in narcosis from anstheties, determined by Wood in his able, experimental re searches, has begun to be disseminated, as it certainly deserves. We believe that the use of hypodermic injections of alco hol in chloroform or ether narcosis, as recommended and employed heretofore, has been an error, and should be aban doned. GRIFFITH and CERNA, ASSOC. Eds., Annual, '93.] Alcohol is a useful food in the small quantity which increases, but does not impair, digestion; which quickens the circulation and the secreting function of the glands, but does not overstimulate; and which can be oxidized in the body. This amount, says Bartholow and others, is from 1 ounce to ounces of absolute alcohol for a healthy adult in twenty four hours. All excess is injurious.
In small doses alcohol stimulates the stomach, and consequently promotes hyperchlorhydria and hyperacidity of that organ. In large doses it loses its stimulating action, and the chlorhydric action upon albuminoids is either weak or wanting. M. P. Haan (Plogres Med., Dee. 21, '95).
The prolonged indulgence in alco holic drinks in time produces a chronic catarrhal inflammation of the gastric mucous membranes, accompanied by a proliferation of the connective tissues. This latter, by subsequent contraction, obstructs and finally obliterates the secreting follicles and the cells which line them. In this way the mucous membrane becomes thickened, indurated, and uneven, and covered with a coating of thick, tenacious mucus that excites fermentation, with gas and various acids (butyric, acetic, etc.); whence acidity and heart-burn.
These harmful effects on the stomach are much less marked in fever patients and in those who arc convalescing from exhausting diseases.
In infectious diseases alcohol should never be given unless the patient is near collapse. Even in small doses it weakens
the resistance, and so favors the action of the invading microbe. It is a cause of still-born infants, with more or less wide-spread fatty degeneration. Gruber (Wiener klin. Woch., May 9, 1901).
As the diffusive power of alcohol is great, it passes readily into the blood; little finds its way very far into the in testines. The effects of alcohol on the other organs of the body (liver, kidneys, brain, and vessels), as it passes through them on its way in the circulation, will be considered under POISONING.
Even in large quantities, alcohol ap pears neither to promote nor to hinder the conversion of starch into sugar.
Parkes and Wollowicz hold that alco hol does not diminish the oxidation of the body. G. Harley found that alcohol, added in small quantities to blood with drawn from the body, lessened its ab sorption of oxygen and its elimination of carbonic acid.
As to the effect of alcohol on the body temperature, it would seem that a small quantity, in a subject not accustomed to its use, causes increased activity in all the bodily functions and a slight eleva tion of temperature. Considerable doses of alcohol cause a decline in temperature of the body, which is even more marked when fever is present, except in patients in whom a decline of temperature does not follow in doses short of lethal. This reduction of temperature produced by alcohol is, doubtless, referable to the diminished rate of tissue metamorphosis, for it has been ascertained that the excretion of both urea and carbonic acid is lessened by alcohol; the combustion of the nitrogenous and carbonaceous foods is retarded. This action results in an increase of body-weight, as seen in the rotundity of those.who take spirits moderately.
The action of alcohol on the heart is most important. When the heart is weakened by debilitating diseases (pulse always quick and weak), it strengthens the contractions and, by its tonic influ ence on the heart, alcohol strengthens the pulse and reduces its frequency. It stands first as a safe and efficient cardiac stimulant.