New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-05-19
ALCOHOL AND TEE HUMAN SYSTEM

Recent scientific investigations have thrown
additional light upon the physiological action Of
Alchohol. The doctrine OF Liebg, that il is
burned in the body like sugar and fat and thus
contributes to animal heat, was held to establish
its claim to be ranked among articles of food a
writer in The Westminster Rerieic in an arti-
Gle published some FIVE years since, entitled
" The Physiological Errors Of Teetotulism, made
an ingenious aud plausible plea for its alimentary
character, which was widely circulated and APP
plauded. TIE TRIBUNE exposed the ialacies Of
the argument at that time. Meanwhile, Science
has been busy pushing forward the investigation,
and has lately reached results which so deci-
sivel, settle tie point against the alimentary
properties of Alcoholic Liquors, that The Hest
minister Rerier " faithful to tho revelations Of
" science, rather than mindful OF Consistency"
retracts IFS former views, and publishes an ex-
tended account of the recent experiments beariGg
upon the subject The new facts were developed
in an elaborate experimental inquiry into tho
mode OF action Of anesthetlc substances,
Chloroform, Ether, Amylene and Alcohol, by
Messrs. Lallemand, Perrin and Duroy Of Paris.
oxidzed ia the body, has not rested upon
demonstration, nor any direct or positive ey.
deuce. but has been rather q deduction from its
extreme combustibih!y. InductiSc science,
however, takes nothing for granted. She
is constantly challenging the validity Of re-
ceiyed opinions, aud demanding their rigor.
Gus proof. When Alcohol 10 oXidized out of
the body, il passes through successive steps or
stages Of decomposition, giving rise TO peculiar
products or derivatives, namely aldehyL> and
acetic acid These derivatives, the evidence #
tho oxda.ing process, cannot be detected in the
blood after the insesticn Of alcoholic liquors..
Traces of acetc acid have been found in the
stomach, but us consequence OF gastrc fer
men,ation Of sugar and starch AID wholly inde-
pendent Of tho introduction Of Alcohol. The ul-
innate products of the oxidation OF Alcohol are
carbonic acid and water; but they are derived
also from tie oxidation Of food, and arc thrown
necessarily from the lungs day and night, whether
Alcohol be taken or not. There is no evidence,
therefore, that Science can accept, showing that
Alcohol is destroyed in tho body Ike common all
mentary substances.
In this state Of the case, the French Swans
addressed themselves to the inquiry :" What does
become Of alcohol when taken into tho body 7 y
Twenty years ago DIR. Percy proved that when
introduced into the system it seeks the brain by
preference and local affinity, more OF 1t being
found there than in an equal weight OF blood; 1t
is therefore attracted out Of the blood into the
cerebral! substance lie proved it by distilling the
brain and blood Of men and animals that had died
from intoxcation. and separating the alcohol III
such quantity that it could DO identified BY the
double test Of inHammabi!ity and power OF dis
solving camphor But this was rough pro-
cedure, and, although satisfactory for Dr. Perey''
purpose, was not sufficiently nice for the neces
sites of severe scientific inquiry The Frrncl