ALCOHOL 2B9 



Summary. — Alcohol is externally refrigerant, astring- 

 ent, anhidrotic and antiseptic, and if applied so that ob- 

 sorption occurs, it is rubefacient. On raw surfaces it is 

 slightly ansesthetic. Alcohol is internally a stomachic, car- 

 minative and slight local ansesthetic in the digestive tract. 

 , Alcohol is only reflexly a heart stimulant through its irri- 

 tant action on the alimentary tract before absorption. In 

 dilution and after absorption it is not a heart stimulant. 

 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 anti- 

 pyretic in dilating peripheral vessels and in causing sv^eat- 



ing- 



Acute Poisoning. — In coma and muscular relaxation, 

 the treatment consists in the external application of heat and 

 counter-irritants; while strychnine, digitalis and atropine 

 should be given subcutaneously and followed up with am- 

 monia by the mouth. 



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

 on cotton or lint, to bruises, for its local refrigerant and 

 astringent action in relieving pain and congestion. Diluted 

 to YO per cent, strength, alcohol forms an antiseptic and local 

 ansesthetic 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 hand dis- 

 infection. 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 immediately before eating or with the food, 

 properly diluted, and often advantageously with egg and 

 milk during fever or convalescence from acute diseases. 

 Alcohol is frequently combined with bitters, as_ compound 

 tincture of gentian, when employed as a stomachic. 



Acute Diseases. — Alcohol finds its greatest field of use- 

 fulness in the treatment of febrile diseases, notably mfliienza 

 and strangles and pneumonia in horses. In such conditions 

 it flushes the vessels of the skin and distributes the blood 



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