178 ALCOHOL. 



ALCOHOL. 



Alcohol (C2H 5 OH = 45.70) is a fermentation derivative of amylaceous sub- 

 stances. 



Pharmacodynamics. 



Central Nervous System. Alcohol is a depressant of the entire nervous system, 

 acting first on the highest and least stable areas those evolutionally latest acquired 

 and progressingly depressing all the nervous functions in reverse order to their 

 evolutionary development. 



Muscular System. Alcohol diminishes muscle co-ordination. 



Respiration. No extensive or constant change determinable. 



Heart. Any variation due to reflex or psychic influences. 



Blood-pressure. No definitely constant change determinable. 



Alimentary Canal. Irritant. 



Metabolism. Its most definite effect is the lowering of vital resistance to disease. 



Temperature may be lowered through peripheral vasodilatation. 



Absorption is rapid, about 20% taking place in the stomach, and 80% in the small 

 intestine. 



Excretion. 95% of small amounts is oxidized in the tissues; the balance is ex- 

 creted by the lungs and kidneys. 



Tolerance may be acquired against the immediate acute manifestations. 



Symptoms. 



Acute Alcoholism. Chronic Alcoholism. 



Conviviality. General catarrhal conditions. 



Exaggerated ego. Defective nutrition. 



Loquacity. Impaired intellection 



Impaired will. Tremors. 



Combativeness. Hallucinations. 



Maudlin sentimentality. Manias. 



Meaningless anger. Paralyses. 



Moral and social decline. Idiocy. 



Inco-ordinated movements. 



Nausea. 



Drowsiness. 



Torpor. 



After these acute symptoms wear off the patient usually suffers from severe 

 headache; he is morose and suspicious, melancholy and depressed, and exceptionally 

 irritable. 



Therapeutics. 



It is becoming generally recognized that Alcohol has little utility in internal medi- 

 cine. Applied externally, it is a mild antiseptic, and acts as an indurant to the skin. 



