Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1861-09-11
NO. 3.

ramify. The digestive power is reinforced,
and secretions from the blood are augment
ed, Such is the permanent influence of
good wines used in moderation but after
debauch of strong liquors, as among
dram drinkers, nothing is more common
than arrangement of stomach, chronic
morning nausea and vomiting, proceeded
by water brash and unpleasant distensions
after meals. The appetite, at first good or
even excessive, becomes less and less, as
the taste for drink increases.
Alcohol interferes with the action cf tlle.
gastric juice by coayulating the albumen
of food, which then passes, nearly un-
changed, and to the small intestines. To
. this observation of Orfa, Bernard adds
others to the effect that alcohol taken into
empty stonachs irritates their coats, So as
to prevent the secretion of the gastric
juice. lie shows contrast between alco-
hol and ether in this respect.
In sixteen of Ogston's cases the stomach
was shrunken aud wrinkled, as from the
prolonged action of powerful astringent;
IN ten 1t was highly cnngested in five
there was hour glass contraction in two
softening of the mucous membrance. DR..
Peters remarked perfectly white appear
ance of this. lie gives it rs his experience
that about one dispepiic in five ctn drink
brandy with beneff, provided it be taken
very much dilated, and only at dinner.
With the bilious temperament it nearly al
ways disagress.
LiU'r.-It is only in hot climates that
alcohol is Liable to cause Inflammation Of
the liver, but it often causes congestion.
with more or less iaundice, also enlarge
ment. Abdominal dropsy only occurs in
drunkards after the liver has been diseas-
ed, inlurated or granulated for a long time.
1t is apt to remain uuasSociated with gen
eral dropsy, SO that the contrast between
the distended abdomen and ernaciated legs
| is very striking. Ogston found the liver
enlarged in thirteen, fatty in twenty-four,
| indurated and contracted in FIVE.
Lungs. : Bronchial and pleuritic affec>
tons are common among drunkards; en-
| physema, or the morbid distension of the
air cells, connected with pulmonary col
lapse, or strophy, existed in twenty one OF
Ogsten's seventy-three cases, while tuber-
cles were found in only one. DIR. Peters also
remarks the extreme unfrequcncy OF phthisl
among drunkards; he met with not on
tuberculer abscess in 20 cases, bEt often ~itl
chalky or obsolete tubercles, and occasion
ally with cicatrices confined to the uppe
third of the superior lobes. Considering
the nature. of the blood changes in phthis
DIR. L. recommends that when aicohoifii
drinks are given to consumptives, the
should be assisted by fatty food and oil
iron and the chiorides OF soda and potasI
Alcohol is often useful, also, in typhoid
fevers, especially, remarks Twccd!e, whel
the pulse becomes suddenly soft and com
pressible, the skin cool and damp, accom-
panied by more than usual sense Of ex
haustion-bnt DR. Tweedle speaks Of wine
not of ardent spirits. Other indications
are, sudden collapse, or when large, dark
liVid spots appear. The indications 70
this kind of stimulus are, therefore by n,
means general, and in very many cases
does onl y mischief.