384 THE POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



Eicliards has shown that if the hearts of dogs which have received 

 alcohol for some time be perfused with a nutrient solution containing 

 alcohol, they are much more sensitive to alcohol than hearts of normal 

 controls. 



Another experiment which shows apparent change in the organism 

 under the influence of alcohol, has been accomplished by Eeid Hunt. 

 Hunt determined the toxic dose of aceto-nitrile CHgCN" in mice, rab- 

 bits and guinea pigs. This substance acts as a poison through the 

 liberation of hydrocyanic acid within the body. Hunt found that if 

 animals were given alcohol for several days, their susceptibility to 

 aceto-nitrile was very greatly increased. That is to say, hydrocyanic 

 acid was much more readily liberated within their tissues than in the 

 normal controls. Hunt interpreted this as indicating an increased 

 oxidative power on the part of the cells for the methyl group contained 

 in the poison. However this may be, it is certain that his experiments 

 have shown that metabolism is different when alcohol is given than it is 

 under conditions when fat and carbohydrates form the energy producers 

 which maintain life. 



Alcohol has long been given in disease on account of the belief that 

 it was of benefit in certain disturbances of the circulatory system. The 

 value of alcohol under these circumstances has been disputed. The 

 reports of the Vienna General Hospital in 1897 show that $10,000 was 

 spent for alcoholic beverages during that year, whereas in 1905, the 

 sum so expended had fallen to one half. Dixon says that alcohol acts 

 uopn the isolated heart as a food stuff, and favors its contraction. A 

 recent discussion of this subject by Miller, of Chicago, shows that cir- 

 culatory disturbances in acute affections are of vaso-motor origin, and 

 that the heart itself is usually perfectly able to fully perform its work. 

 He calls attention to the fact that alcohol in certain diseases acts as a 

 cardio-vascular stimulant producing vasco-contraction of the blood 

 vessels and thereby favoring the circulation. However, if the dose 

 which brings about this reaction be but slightly exceeded, there is 

 paralysis of the vaso-motor centers with resulting dilatation of the 

 blood vessels. He regards alcohol, therefore, as a drug which is to be 

 used in these conditions with extreme care. 



Alcohol has a profound effect upon the central nervous system. 

 There are two theories with regard to its action. By some it is con- 

 sidered a stimulant, by others it is thought always to cause depression. 

 Small amounts of alcohol may bring about an increased sense of liveli- 

 ness and a general feeling of well-being which is most pronounced when 

 the lights are bright, and the company congenial. Larger quantities 

 induce incoordination of speech and movement, whereas still larger 

 quantities result in complete anesthesia which may be fatal to the indi- 

 vidual. For the first few minutes after taking alcohol, it has been found 



