414 REPORT — 1869. 



rise about two hours after the first indications of rccovcrj^ ; but a period of 

 from seven to eight hours is required to restore tlic body, even under favour- 

 able conditions, to the natural temperature. In one case these effects of 

 reduction of temperature were observed when the external temperature of the 

 aii'was80°rahr, (26fC.). 



EtHYLIC AlCOHOL. 



Much research has been made of late years on the physiological action of 

 ethylic or common alcohol, much controversy has followed research, and 

 points unsettled are too numerous to mention. Peeling it quite impossible 

 to enter into one point of controversy without involving myself in many 

 others, I determined simply to make one or two new and independent in- 

 quiries, and to place on record the results. What I have done relates to the 

 influence exerted by alcohol on animal temperature, the condition of the 

 organs of the body during extreme alcoholic intoxication, and the mode of 

 death when the poison is carried to the fatal degree. 



On the particular points of temperature, I have to record that in the pro- 

 gressive stages of alcoholic intoxication, the tendency in all cases is to a de- 

 crease of animal heat. In the progress towards complete intoxication under 

 alcohol, however administered, there are, as under chloroform, four distinct 

 degrees or stages. The first is a stage of simple exhilaration, the second of 

 excitement, the third of rambling insensibility, and the fourth of entire 

 unconsciousness, with muscular prostration. The duration of these stages 

 can be modified in the most remarkable manner by the mode of administra- 

 tion ; but whether they are developed and recovered from in an hour or a 

 day, they are always present except in cases where the quantity of alcohol 

 administered is in such excess that life is endangered or instantly destroyed. 

 In the first or exhilarative stage the temperature undergoes a slight increase ; 

 in birds a degree Fahrenheit, in mammals half a degree. ^Vith the stage of 

 excitement, in the second stage, during whicli there is vomiting in birds, or 

 attempts at vomiting, the temperature comes back to its natural standard and 

 soon begins to fall ; and during the third and into the fourth degree the decline 

 continues. In the fourth degree the temperature falls to its first minimum, 

 and in birds comes down from five and a half to six degrees ; in rabbits from 

 two and a half to three degrees. In this condition the animal temperature 

 often remains until there are signs of recovery, viz. conscious or semicon- 

 scious movements, upon which there may be a second fall of temperature 

 of two or even three degrees in birds. In this course of recovery I have seen, 

 for instance, the temperature of a pigeon which had a natural standard of 

 110° reduced to 102°. Usually with this depression of force there is desire 

 for sleep, and with perfect rest in a warm air there is return of animal heat; 

 but the return is very slow, the space of time required to bring back the 

 natural lieat being from three to four times longer than that which was re- 

 quired to reduce it to the minimum. 



In these fluctuations of temperature the ordinary influences of the ex- 

 ternal air play an important part as regards duration of fluctuations, and to 

 some extent as regards extremes of fluctuation. 



The introduction of alcohol into the body in frequent and small quan- 

 tities, so as not to produce any of the stages of true intoxication, is attended 

 with a reduction of temperature limited to one and a half degree in small 

 mammalia. The eff'ect is definite on the administration, and occurs under 

 varying circumstances — before food, after food, and in atmospheres of different 

 warmths. It is most definite when the alcohol is administered by the hypo- 

 dermic method. 



