4 o 4 DIRECT ACTION OF ALCOHOL. 



for passing in review the several scientific arguments, 

 which, it appears to me, prove conclusively the way in 

 which, by the judicious use of this most important 

 remedy, the saving of life is effected. But first, a very 

 few words as to the direct action of alcohol. 



i. Direct Action of Alcohol in keeping up the Heart's 

 Action, and promoting the Capillary Circulation. 



Now as to the probable action of alcohol in saving 

 life, and retarding a fatal result in desperate cases of 

 fever and extensive internal inflammation, I will 

 remark that its value in exciting the heart to more 

 vigorous contraction is admitted by all. The fact is 

 in accordance with the actual experience of many of 

 the effect of stimulants upon themselves, and physio- 

 logical experiment has proved that by the action of 

 alcohol upon the nerves of the 'stomach, the heart's 

 action is accelerated. The value of stimulants in 

 promoting the capillary circulation has been recog- 

 nised by several physicians, but Sir D. J. Corrigan 

 especially has dwelt upon the great importance of 

 giving alcohol in fever, because it maintains the flow 

 of blood through the minute vessels of the tissues of 

 the body. In his lectures on the treatment of fever, 

 published in 1853, and containing the results of great 

 experience, and many years of careful observation, 

 occurs the following passage, which deserves to be 

 quoted at length : 



