1870.] 



Alcohol on the Human Body, 



369 



The Effect on the Circulation. 



The pulse (taken usually every two hours) was decidedly more frequent 

 when alcohol and brandy were used. The mean of all the observations in 

 the recumbent position was 73*57 beats per minute in the first period 

 when water was taken ; during the alcoholic days the mean number of 

 beats was 88*5 ; after alcohol 78*6 ; during the brandy days *)1'4, and 

 'after brandy 81*1. 



If particular hours are taken the same results come out, as shown in the 

 following Table : — 



Mean pulse Mean pulse Mean pulse 



at 10 a.m. at 2 p.m. at 10 p.m. 



Before alcohol 75\5 80*8 73 



During „ 99 94 80'8 



After „ 89*66 87'5 71*6 



During brandy 96'6 93 92 



After „ 88-6 84 73 



There is therefore no doubt that the frequency of the pulse was increased, 

 and the effect was also persistent ; for, though it fell after the alcohol was 

 left off, it had not reached in six days the point which was proper to it 

 before the alcohol. 



The pulse was not only increased in rapidity, but it was fuller ; it ap- 

 peared to have more volume. 



The highest mean pulse on any day before alcohol was 77*5 beats; the 

 mean pulse of the first alcoholic day (one fluid ounce of absolute alcohol) 

 was 80 ; with two ounces of alcohol 78'3 ; with four ounces 86 ; with six 

 ounces 98*3 (but there was exceptional fever); with eight ounces 93*6; 

 and on the last day, with eight ounces, 94" 7. On the first day after 

 alcohol it sank to 80. 



The effect on the circulation in the small vessels of the skin was very 

 marked. The face, ears, and neck were flushed, and on the days of the 

 large doses the face was slightly swollen. The skin of the trunk, as well 

 as of the face, appeared hot to the man himself, and this was no doubt de- 

 pendent on the same cause. It was some time before the turgescence of 

 the small cutaneous vessels lessened. Accompanying it was a sense of 

 fulness and heaviness in the head, as if the intracranial vessels were also 

 enlarged, and there was a feeling of warmth at the epigastrium. 



Sphygmographic observations were made on the right radial artery. They 

 were always taken with the same instrument, with an equal pressure, and 

 when the man was in a recumbent position. Altogether more than 150 

 tracings were taken, but some were spoilt in photographing*. All the 

 remainder are subjoined. 



One fluid ounce of absolute alcohol in twenty-four hours altered the 



* They were taken and photographed with great care by Mr. James Sylvester, Apo- 

 thecary to the Forces, who also gave us much assistance in various ways. 



