290 INORGANIC AGENTS 



more equally, allowing the heart to receive more blood and 

 thus overcoming internal congestion. 



It is impossible to reconcile the clinical remedial effects 

 of alcohol vs?ith 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 lessened use as a therapeutic remedy. ISFever- 

 theless 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 digestible but which in 

 itself may aid digestion. It has more food value than sugar. 

 It dilates peripheral vessels and equalizes the circulation. 

 In nian one of its most potent effects is probably in acting 

 as a narcotic and quieting the nervous system, 



A high temperature does not contra-indicate its use but 

 it is not desirable in the early stages of acute inflammatory 

 disorders. Alcohol is particularly serviceable in asthenic 

 diseases — as purpura — and in continued fevers associated 

 with much depression — as in puerperal and other forms of 

 septicemia. 



In fevers alcohol sometimes causes the heart to beat 

 more slowly. Whether this be due to stimulation of the 

 inhibitory apparatus or invigoration, directly or indirectly, 

 of the weakened organ, we do not know. 



The pulse, respiration and nervous system are our 

 guides, and the object is to bring the functions into a more 

 normal condition. Alcohol should therefore reduce the fre- 

 quency of the pulse and respiration, when they are too 

 rapid, and should cause the animal to become quieter. If 

 these results are obtained, the use of the drug should be 

 persisted in; if otherwise, administration should be stopped. 

 Small and repeated doses are more appropriate iiL fever- 

 Alcohol is one of the most rapidly effective agents at 

 our command in syncope and cardiac failure from various 

 causes — as surgical shock, severe hemorrhage, collapse, ex- 

 haustion, snake bite, and following exposure to cold. In these 

 conditions it should be given in the form of spirits diluted 

 with only an equal part of very Lot v/ater. It may act in 



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