New-York tribune., 1874-05-05

from them that the first symptoms "u rnaonce ~
from the nceson alcohol due 10 the presence Oh
this substance In the brain, while the 'er pncuoen"
are In part least the results of cerebra cohseson
DISEASES CONSEQUENT ON USING ALCOHOL
The lecturer proceeded to show the sequence OF
symptoms in man resulting from taking alcohol into the
svstefn This consideration more particular applied
TO the effects upon the system, showing the sue
cesslve symptoms superrening with increasing amount
of doses and describing the various stages from rans
tory excitement to complete ntoXca,on' ,nd w d
tail valuable portion OF the address was discussion
of tho separate conditions Of delirum remens and OF
the diverse methods Of indicated by such dhercnce
in the class OF case the Tree administration Oh
acohoIc smuants being necessary 10 save the patient
while IN the other class of cases such smulants would
only aggravate the disease The characteristics OF
chronic alcoholism were then discussed and the various
symptoms considered. The causes OF the destructive
effects OF alcoholic liquors are then investigated ana Dr.
Hammond thinks 1t probable That their lmpurty adds 10
their baneful properties lie to say: IL Is very
certain however, that chrome alcoholic intoxleati3n
light German French wines, or of those made IN ms
cOunry when they are not fortified by the suDsequent
addition of spirit and that It Is stu es APP 10 esos
the nervous system, which, in ADDITION 10 tnose ine %
toned the excessive use OF aeonTl % th t T that
can do ia simply to enuinerate them. When say tat
raneements Of the brain the spinal cord and the nerves
make statement which my own experience SHOWS 10
be correct have already spoken OF the remarkable
eflniiv witch alcohol has for the substance OF which
these organs composed Experiments hltnero nave
only related 10 the brain, but am ape 10 SNOW you tiai
the spinal cord and the nerves AheWlSe absorb aeoho
Fcr ten davs led a rabbit largely every dny with
broad soaked in whisky In the course OF that time the
animal received nearly pint OF eo9u b0ur0a non Wntshy
near he seriously inconvcnienced AT the end OF
davs the animal was killed. then removed the spinal
cord and ali the large nerves. and treated them sepl
rately with distilled water after cutting them into small
pieces They were then thrown upon nt,r y, anu any
strongly pressed The three separate portions OF qd
extract we're then distilled several tunes, and finally
treated with quicklime and again Distilled IN these
the test tubes have the products TINS marked IS
the disate from the brain this marked IS from the
spinal cord and this {, which, az YOU hOce Is seaTce
more than drop, Is from the nerves.
ALCOHOL Il; THE SPINAL CORD AND NERVES EX-
HIBITED.
The odor is OF itself almost sufficient to show that
each consists OF alcohol but have in the solution OF
bichromate OF potosh in suphuric acid more trust
worthy test. To show you how delicate IL ls take a
test tube containing little Of the test and pass into III
current of air slightly impregnated with the yapor OF
alcohol. As you perceive ihe eharac@elisc @ ie'ooN'
| the production of q green color at once ensues;
Now, / take the test tube marked which contains @
the distillate from the rabbits brain ana loW crop
or two Of the test liquid TO minge win IT. A uark
green color is at produced ana ~ Is renueTeu w.
Bic 10 every one in the as disturb the mixture
| with little distilled water. q, ,., -,
| Next, take the tube marked which contains the
l0uid derived from the spinal cord 1t Is smaller in
quantity than that from the BRAIN because the cord Is
much smaller than the BRAIN pour on II drop Oh he
test liquid and again you see tue oiBh' eerau sleen
| color is formed. ,,,. g.. A., o,
The 0napty here ls extremely small but the test shows
IT to be alcohol so far know alcohol has never been
aGimas Which had been fed with it, Neither has it
been found in these organs in man Taat IT Is there'
We are now prepared for the long list OF diseases and
disorders of the nervous stem produced by t9e exces
notebooks, ard based on cases occurring III my pr
yate aud hospital practice:
cerebral Semorr6t consequences npopIy and paralysis
Meningeal hemorrhsse
| Cerebral thrombosis
| sotenug OF the brain.
| Acute Cerebral meningitis
MaHPe cerebral eoas those Of which tremOr
Every yaety Of lnsani,v ncuini general paralysis
OF THE SPINAL CORD.
| Sntefo sntaa ia,eTsi HTs spin,l scblerosi.
| Po.eno-s pina seierogs (Locomotoatansl
Eplepy
ND spinal scleross Of those affections character
ai.ea. yhleh was the s5,t @ to & describe md Pa
which description w based va; one IN which tie PAen'
was in tAr habit Of drinking iy w., g, ssyt, % ''n 'y'
An@stbes..
keur'lga in all snauon'
| NeUnis.
II will be noticed that scleross hardening is
duon OF all parts of the nervous system which aleonol
probably produces I doubtless the result OF the
In addition to being Of many diseases
OF the nervous SYSTEM alcohol probably predsposes 10
Neither its action stop here for the descendants OF
bic to various disorders system and there
is some evidence to offspring generated dur
fit of finoxication OF either parent are often born
WHAT CONSTITUTES EXCESS.
Doubtless you have observed that my remarks relative
to the evil consequence Of alcoholic p0tatiOns have been
based upon the excessive 1t would be only fair for
you to ask me what constitutes excessi And il you did,
should answer that, in the abstract, do not know,
any more than know how much fea or coffee
of you can drink with comfort or advantage how many
cigars you smoke without passing from good 10 bad
effects. how much mustard on your beef agrees with
can eat on your buckwheat cakes. IN TACT do not
know that you can use any OF these things without in
and mustard are poisonous. Every person must,
to-, q great extent, be law unto HIM
priori tell him what and how much arc good for him
single glass of wine may be excess for some indi-
can fl That alcohol in large quantities Is bencn-
cia persOus is point IN regard to which have
ton aud when they restored to health their pota-
tions should cease. have seen many weak hysterca
woman drink pint Of whisky or brandy day without
experiencing the least intoxicating effects. feel
mo excited by IT, The exhausted tissue has seemed 10
| absorb 1t with an energy though It its Que
thing craved and has been rapid under the
When ali other means have failed. have seen strong
men struck down with pneumonia and fever, and appa
holic Guors nave prevented epepfc seizures by II,
moderate use Neurac attacks are often cut short by
it, and sometimes entirely prevented IL has been eff
the best antdotes to the bites of poisonous serpents
have repeatedly witnessed; In the cOnyulsions OF
children from eehng and other of reflex irrl.
taton 1t is inyaluabe in the spinal irritation which
women and especially American women. subject
nothing takes its place. and in certain forms OF gastric
| dyspepsia II must be given If We wish TO cure our
| patients.
| DANGER OF EXCITING ALCOHOLIC THIRST
You know all this well l do and you know
| that 1 have by mentioned all the
| diseases IN which far knowledge goes alcohol
| in some form or other is tho sheet-anchor OF onr
hopes would not like to be cut or entirely from the
use Of alcoholic liquors In my practice and yet / often
try TO do without them, for i fearful OF exciting A
4 yrhi I'D Ar a my
when they are clearly indicated | give them
| without selfreproach feeling that 1 have done