ABSORPTION 325 



light from colloid studies. We saw on page 70, that gelatin swelled 

 more in weak alcohol solutions, and we know, on the other hand, 

 that strong alcohol causes shrinking. Thus we may possibly ex- 

 plain the favorable action that small doses of alcohol have on the 

 absorption of nourishment. Some day, chronic alcoholism may pos- 

 sibly receive a physico-chemical explanation from the change in the 

 condition of the body colloids, whether albuminous or lipoid. 



[W. BURRIDGE has offered what seems an adequate physico-chemical 

 explanation of chronic alcoholism. Quarterly Jour, of Medicine, 

 Vol. X, No. 39. In the alcoholic who " takes a little, often," the 

 adrenin-like action of alcohol predominates, and there is an improved 

 utilization of Ca. To accommodate for this the Ca tension of the 

 blood is diminished so that when deprived of his drug the circulation 

 of the chronic alcoholic is like one using a perf usion solution containing 

 an inadequate supply of Ca. This accounts for the acute circulatory 

 symptoms upon the withdrawal and possibly for the tremor. It also 

 accounts for the increased anesthetic risk, if the accustomed Ca 

 tension in the blood is below that which is adequate to maintain the 

 circulation in the presence of a percentage concentration of anes- 

 thetic usual for anesthesia. A similar colloid-chemical explanation 

 based on this work of W. BURRIDGE may be offered for other drug 

 addictions. Tr.] 



