1870.] 



Action of Claret on the Human Body. 



89 



Elimination by the bowels. 

 No experiments were made. 



General Conclusions. 



1 . The general results of these experiments are in all respects identical 

 with the experiments on alcohol and brandy, that is to say, there was a 

 marked effect on the heart, coinciding tolerably well in amount with the 

 effect produced by pure alcohol in the former experiments ; there was no 

 unequivocal alteration of temperature in the axilla or rectum, no alteration 

 in the elimination of nitrogen, for the increase in the last period cannot be 

 credited to the direct effect of the wine ; no alteration in the phosphoric 

 acid of the urine ; some augmentation of the free acidity of the urine ; no 

 alteration of the alvine discharges. In other words, claret-wine in the above 

 quantities cannot so far be distinguished in its effect from pure alcohol. Its 

 most marked effect, the increase of the heart's action, must be ascribed to 

 the alcohol, in great measure, though the ethers may play some slight part. 



But it would be going too far to assert that the dietetic effects of red 

 Bordeaux wine and of dilute alcohol are identical. The difference between 

 them must probably be sought in their effects on primary digestion and 

 assimilation, delicate and subtle influences which experiments like those 

 recorded in the paper do not touch. The influence of the sugar, of the salts, 

 and of the acidity must also be appreciated by other methods. The man 

 himself affirmed that the wine agreed with him better than the alcohol or 

 brandy, but the large quantity he took of these last fluids vitiates the 

 comparison. 



These experiments on wine enabled us to define somewhat better than the 

 previous trials what might be considered moderation for this man. The 10 

 ounces of wine, containing about 1 fluid ounce of pure alcohol, did not cause 

 the least unpleasant feeling of heat or flushing. The 20 ounces (containing 

 almost 2 fluid ounces of alcohol) were manifestly too much. He felt hot 

 and uncomfortable, was flushed, the face was somewhat congested, and he 

 was a little drowsy. Moreover, as already mentioned, alcohol then began 

 to appear in the urine. Therefore he ought certainly not to take much 

 more than 1 fluid ounce of absolute alcohol in 24 hours. 



With regard to the propriety of this healthy man taking any alcohol, 

 we have no hesitation in saying he would be better without it. His heart 

 naturally acts quickly and strongly enough ; alcohol increases its action too 

 much, and might lead on to alteration in its condition, or to injury of 

 vessels, if any degeneration were to take place in them. This man had 

 gone through the Abyssinian campaign, and stated that when the force was 

 without rum, owing to deficiency of transport beyond Antalo, he had in 

 no way felt the want of the stimulant, though some of his comrades did. 

 This seems to confirm our opinion, that alcohol for him is not a necessity, 

 and indeed is not desirable. 



VOL. XIX. H 



