Liver.—The liver is frequently af fected by one of the various forms of cirrhosis. The proclivity of each indi vidual bears considerable influence upon the development of this disease, however. The other hepatic chronic disorders most apt to be encountered are fatty and nut meg liver. Acute hepatitis is less fre quently met with.
The lesions found in the acute form of alcoholic hepatitis are like those ob served in infectious, suppurative hepa titis, showing the identity of effects between infectious and toxic processes. Pilliet (La Tribune med., Apr., '90).
The ascites of cirrhosis is habitually absent in connection with the cirrhotic alterations of the liver in the alcoholic insane. Klippel (Annales Malico-psy chologiques, Sept., Oct., '94).
Case of acute alcoholism in which the hepatic functions were suppressed during twenty-one days. Cassaet (Le Bull. Med., Oct. 31, '94).
Experimental alcoholism in animals causes preliminary gastric catarrh, then fatty degeneration of the liver. Koulbine (La Med. Mod., Jan. 16, '95).
Histological examination, in two rab bits which were subjected to progress ively increasing doses of wine. There were traces of an irritating influence upon the liver, which were found princi pally in the central parts of the lobes. The connective tissues of the portal spaces did not present lesions that were very clear, but the subhepatic veins and the capillaries were filled with leucocytes and proliferated endothelial cells. The glandular parenchyma was remarkable for the considerable size of its nuclei, which were vesicular; the cellular proto plasm seemed to be intact. One had died at the end of twenty days, without presenting any visceral alterations. The other had died after thirty days, and presented hemorrhage of the stomach. The liver was of a pale-grayish color and the spleen was tumefied. Lancereaux (La Presse Mal., Oct. 14, '96).
With the above conditions is often associated a special facies, consisting in watery, blood-shot eyes, sometimes yel lowish from bile, and in enlarged venules on the nose and cheeks; at times, acne rosacea.
At an early stage the eyes of chronic drunkards present the following symp toms: Catarrhal conjunctivitis, conges tion of the iris, spasm of accommodation, contracted pupils, photophobia, nycta lopia, a glimmering sensation in bright light, scotoniata, amblyopia, and partial atrophy of the optic nerve. (May.)
Pancreas and Intestines. — The inter ference presented by alcohol to the proper digestion of fats is mainly sible for the fatty degeneration of the heart and other organs generally en countered at autopsies. The pancreatic secretion being coagulated by the alco hol, the fat is not emulsified.
Although the coagulated secretion is redissolved into its former elements by pure water, it is impossible to restore it in the presence of alcohol, as there is a mixture of water and alcohol in which the secretion will not dissolve. The stearin of the fat is dissolved by the alcohol out of the fat-globules. This dissolution is probably aided by the duodenal secretions. The remainder of the fat becomes a foreign body in the circulation and, being a compound of palmitin and olein only, does not possess the property by virtue of which it is attracted to the adipose vesicle, but is deposited in the different tissues, cavi ties, and organs, thus constituting fatty degeneration. 'Wilkins (New York Med. Jour., Sept. 22, '04).
The intestinal tract bears the brunt of the irritating action of improperly digested food, and gastro-intestinal trouble is frequent, especially in chil dren.
Many infants suffering from acute or subacute gastro-intestinal disease are the victims of unrestrained administra tion of whisky or brandy, no definite direction having been given as to dose. Henry Noplik (Med. Pioneer. Feb., '94).
The ingestion of alcohol causes migra tion of microbes from the intestines to the peritoneum and to the blood of the versa porta. Wurtz and Hudelo (Le Bull. IMed., Jan. 30, '95).
Kidneys. — The structural definition of the kidneys is frequently lost in ad vanced cases. Their functions are inter fered with, and cumulation of products of metabolism is imposed upon the sys tem. The various forms of nephritis are natural consequences of the irritation produced.