ACUTE ALCOHOLIC DISEASES. 351 



morning, and perhaps brings up a little phlegm only, or 

 may actually vomit; or may be able to take breakfast 

 but feels sick after it. Towards the middle of the 

 morning he is heavy and languid, perhaps, and does not 

 feel easy until he has had a glass of sherry or some spirits, 

 then gets on pretty well, and can eat lunch or dinner. Or 

 if worse, the appetite for both is defective, and there is 



undue weight or discomfort after meals Now all 



these symptoms may be due to other causes, but when 

 taken together they are by far most commonly due to al- 

 cohol." * 



Another frequent result of regular "moderate" drinking 

 is tremor, orshakiness of the hands. The hand is unsteady 

 when the arm is folded, and is seen to tremble if it be held 

 out with the arm extended. This tremor is very marked 

 in the alcoholic disease known as delirium tremens (p. 352). 

 Even in its simple form it interferes with the performance 

 of any action calling for manual dexterity. The trembling 

 may, in most cases, be stopped for a time by an extra glass; 

 and thus often leads to the acquirement of more serious 

 diseases. 



We class the above as minor diseased conditions, because 

 in most cases they occur before the will-power is seriously 

 impaired, and abstinence from alcohol is soon followed by 

 recovery. 



II. Acute Alcoholic Diseases. A single large dose of alco- 



Describe alcoholic tremor. In what disease is it very marked ? 

 What results from even its simple form? How does it often lead to 

 the acquirement of more serious alcoholic disease? 



Why do we class the dyspepsia and tremor as minor alcoholic dis- 

 eases ? 



What results from a large dose or repeated small doses of alcohol ? 



* Dr. Greenfield, in " Alcohol: its Use and Abuse." 



