390 Messrs. Parkes and Wollowicz on the Effect of [May 19 



it is possible that if the alcohol had been continued a smaller quantity would 

 have lessened appetite. 



• In other healthy persons it may be different from the above; in most 

 cases of disease, when digestion is weakened, it seems probable that a much 

 smaller amount of alcohol would destroy appetite. 



2. The average number of beats of the heart in 24 hours (as calculated 

 from 8 observations made in 14 hours), during the first or water period, 

 was 106,000 ; in the alcoholic period it was 127,000, or about 21,000 more ; 

 and in the brandy period it was 131,000, or 25,000 more. 



The highest of the daily means of the pulse observed during the first or 

 water period was 77 '5 ; but on this day two observations are deficient. 

 The next highest daily mean was 77 beats. 



If instead of the mean of the 8 days or 73 '5 7 we compare the mean of 

 this one day, viz. 77 beats per minute, with the alcoholic days, so as to be 

 sure not to overestimate the action of the alcohol, we find : — 

 On the 9th day, with 1 fluid ounce of alcohol, the heart beat 4,300 times 



more. 



On the 10th day, with 2 fluid ounces, 1872 times more. 

 On the 1 1th day, with 4 fluid ounces, 12,900 times more. 

 On the 12th day, with 6 fluid ounces, 30,672 times more. 

 On the 13th day, with 8 fluid ounces, 23,904 times more. 

 On the 14th day, with 8 fluid ounces, 25,488 times more. 



But as there was ephemeral fever on the 1 2th day, it is right to make a 

 deduction, and to estimate the number of beats in that day as midway be- 

 tween the 11th and 13th days, or 18,432. Adopting this, the mean daily 

 excess of beats during the alcoholic days was 14,492, or an increase of rather 

 more than 13 per cent. 



The first day of alcohol gave an excess of 4 per cent., and the last of 23 

 per cent.; and the mean of these two gives almost the same percentage of 

 excess as the mean of the 6 days. 



Admitting that each beat of the heart was as strong during the alcoholic 

 period as in the water period (and it was really more powerful), the heart 

 on the last two days of alcohol was doing one-fifth more work. 



Adopting the lowest estimate which has been given of the daily work 

 done by the heart, viz. as equal to 122 tons lifted one foot, the heart 

 during the alcoholic period did daily work in excess equal to lifting 15*S 

 tons one foot, and in the last two days did extra work to the amount of 

 24 tons lifted as far. 



The period of rest for the heart was shortened, though perhaps not to 

 such an extent as would be inferred from the number of beats ; for each 

 contraction was sooner over. 



The heart on the fifth and sixth days after alcohol was left off, and ap- 

 parently at the time when the last traces of alcohol were eliminated, showed 

 in the sphygmographic tracings signs of unusual feebleness ; and, perhaps 

 in consequence of this, when the brandy quickened the heart again, the 



