1 827.] The Philosophy of Drunkenness. 6 1 1 



word to the wise !" If any reader of our's ever should be any where, 

 where a gentleman is laughing himself to death from nitrous oxide, he may 

 recollect this fact. 



The modus operandi of opium upon the body is different from that of 

 alcohol. The first acts principally by absorption the latter, principally 

 upon the nerves : 



Alcohol taken in quantity produces instant stupefaction. It is no sooner 

 swallowed than the person drops down insensible. Here is no time for absorption ; 

 the whole energies of the spirit are exerted against the nervous system. The same 

 rapid privation of power never occurs after swallowing opium. There is always an 

 interval, and generally one of some extent, between the swallowing and the stupor 

 which succeeds. Another proof that opium acts in this manner is the circumstance 

 of its being much more speedily fatal than the other, when injected into the blood- 

 vessels. Three or four grains in solution, forced into the carotid artery of a dog, 

 will kill him in a few minutes. Alcohol, used in the same manner, would not 

 bring on death for several hours. 



" In addition, it may be stated that a species of drunkenness is produced by in- 

 haling the gas of intoxicating liquors. Those employed in bottling spirits from 

 the cask, feel it frequently with great severity. This proves that there is a close 

 sympathy between the nerves of the nose and lungs, and those of the stomach. 

 From all these circumstances it is pretty evident that intoxication from spirits is 

 produced more by the action of the fluid upon the nerves of the latter organ, than 

 by absorption ; an additional proof of which is afforded in the fact, that vomiting 

 does not cure drunkenness, even when had recourse to at an early neriod; its only 

 effect is to prevent it from getting worse." 



Vomiting, however, under all circumstances, is esteemed beneficial after 

 a violent debauch : * 



" Generally speaking, there is no remedy for drunkenness equal to vomiting. 

 The sooner the stomach is emptied of its contents the better, and this may, in 

 most cases, be accomplished by drinking freely of tepid water, and tickling the 

 fauces. After this is done, the person should, if his stomach will bear it, swallow 

 some aperient, then go to bed and sleep off his intoxication. Cold applications to 

 the head are likewise useful. In all cases, the head ought to be well elevated, and 

 the neckcloth removed, that there may be no impediment to the circulation. Where 

 there is a total insensibility, where the pulse is slow and full, the pupils dilated, the 

 face flushed, and the breathing sterterous, it becomes a question whether blooding 

 might be useful. Darwin and Trotter speak discouragingly of the practice. As a 

 general rule I think it is bad : many persons who would have recovered, if left to 

 themselves, have lost their lives by being prematurely bled. In all cases it should 

 be done cautiously, and not for a considerable time. Vomiting and other means 

 should invariably be first had recourse to, and if they fail, and nature is unable of 

 her own power to overcome the stupor, venesection may be tried. In this respect, 

 liquors differ from opium, the insensibility from which is benefited by blooding. 



" There is one variety of drunkenness in which both blooding and cold are in- 

 admissible. This is when a person is struck down, as it were, by drinking sud- 

 denly a great quantity of ardent spirits. Here he is overcome by an instantaneous 

 stupor. His countenance is ghastly and pale, his pulse feeble, and his body cold. 

 While these symptoms continue there is no remedy but vomiting. When, how- 

 ever, they wear off, and are succeeded, as they usually are, by flushing, heat, and 

 general excitement, the case is changed, and must be treated as any other where 

 such symptoms exist. 



" There is nothing which has so strong a tendency to dispel the effects of a 

 debauch as hard exercise, especially if the air be cold. Aperients and diaphoretics 

 are also extremely useful for the same purpose." 



Where too large a quantity of opium has been swallowed, the course 

 recommended is vomiting, bleeding, and the arousing the party, by every 

 possible means, from sinking into stupor ; with after the opium is dis- 



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