18a Mr. Brodie on the different Modes 
slightest degree of injury , occasions a state of mind resembling 
intoxication, and the resemblance in some instances is so com- 
plete, that the most accurate observer cannot form a diagnosis, 
except from the history of the case. Pressure on the brain, 
which is a more severe injury than concussion, produces loss 
of motion, insensibility, dilatation of the pupils ; respiration 
becomes laboured and stertorous, is performed at long inter- 
vals, and at last altogether ceases, and the patient dies. 
It forms an interesting matter of inquiry, whether spirits 
when taken into the stomach produce their effects on the 
brain, by being absorbed into the circulation, or in consequence 
of the sympathy, that exists between these organs by means 
of the nerves. The following circumstances lead me to con- 
clude that they act in the last of these two ways. 
i. In experiments where animals have been billed by the in- 
jection of spirits into the stomach, I have found this organ to 
bear the marks of great inflammation, but never found any 
preternatural appearances whatever in the brain. 2. The 
effects of spirits taken into the stomach in the last experiment 
were so instantaneous, that it appears impossible that absorp- 
tion should have taken place before they were produced, 
3 A person who is intoxicated, frequently becomes suddenly 
sober after vomiting. 4. In the experiments, which I have just 
related, I mixed tincture of rhubarb with the spirits, know- 
ing from the experiments of Mr. Home and Mr. William 
Brande, that this, when absorbed into the circulation, w’as 
readily separated from the blood by the kidneys, and that 
very small quantities might be detected in the urine by the 
addition of potash ; but, though I never failed to find urine in 
the bladder, I never detected rhubarb in it. 
