218 INORGANIC AGENTS 



tively and absolutely; but under no circumstances after the most enor- 

 mous doses does the elimination exceed 25 per cent, of the quantity in- 

 gested. Milk is not affected in quality or quantity through the ingestion 

 of alcohol by the animal secreting it. 



Summary. — ^Alcohol is externally refrigerant, astringent, anhidrotic 

 and antiseptic, and if applied so that absorption occurs, it is rubefacient. 

 On raw surfaces it is slightly anesthetic. Alcohol is internally a stom- 

 achic, carminative and slight local anesthetic in the digestive tract. Alco- 

 hol is reflexly a heart stimulant through its irritant action on the ali- 

 mentary tract before absorption. It also is a direct, mild stimulant to 

 the heart. Alcohol is a narcotic and its chief action is in progressively 

 depressing and paralyzing nerve centres. It supplies force and is a 

 food. ■ Alcohol is a diuretic, diaphoretic, and antipyretic in dilating peri- 

 pheral vessels and in causing sweating. 



Acute Poisoning. — In coma and muscular relaxation, the treatment 

 consists in emptying the stomach by the tube, in the external applica- 

 tion of heat and counter-irritants; while caffeine, strychnine, digitalone 

 and atropine should be given subcutaneously. 



Uses External. — Alcohol is applied to the unbroken skin to bruises, 

 for its local refrigerant and astringent action in relieving pain and 

 congestion. Diluted to 70 per cent, strength, alcohol forms an antisep- 

 tic and local anesthetic application to wounds, and like most antiseptics, 

 relieves itching, particularly when combined with 1 to 2 per cent, of 

 carbolic acid. Alcohol diluted with one-third part of water makes one 

 of the best known agents for disinfection of the hands and operative 

 field. It is relied upon entirely in some of the best hospitals in the 

 country, in addition to thorough scrubbing in soap and water. 



Uses Internal. — Digestive Tract. — ^Alcohol is a useful remedy to 

 promote appetite and assist digestion. The drug should be given imme- 

 diately before eating or with the food, properly diluted, and often advan- 

 tageously with egg and milk during fever or convalescence from acute 

 diseases. Alcohol is frequently combined with bitters, as compound tinc- 

 ture of gentian, when employed as a stomachic. 



Acute Diseases. — ^Alcohol finds its greatest field of usefulness in the 

 treatment of febrile diseases, notably influenza and strangles, bronchitis 

 and pneumonia in horses. In such conditions it flushes the vessels of the 

 skin and distributes the blood more equally, allowing the heart to re- 

 ceive more blood and thus overcoming internal congestion. 



It is impossible to reconcile the clinical remedial effects of alcohol 

 with its action on healthy animals. The results of recent researches — 

 especially as showing an absence of stimulation of the circulation and 

 respiration by alcohol — has led to its greatly lessened use as a thera- 

 peutic remedy. Nevertheless the enormous practical experience of some 

 of the most acute clinicians of the past and present, that alcohol renders 

 service in the diseases named herein, does not permit one to hastily 

 sweep it aside as a therapeutic agent. We may summarize its worth in 

 acute diseases as follows. It is a food and one which is not only digest- 

 ible but which in itself may aid digestion. It has more food value than 



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