The morning star and Catholic messenger. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1868-1881, 1875-11-21
ALCOHOL.

DR.. Richardson, an eminent physician of
London, has lately given to the world a
fresh exposition of this subject, which may
we'll receive the closest attention of the
advocates of stimulants.
In one researchfsbe doctor endeavored to
determine from observation on inferior ami
malls the actual degree of vascular excite
ment induced by alcohol, and the results
are full of interest. They have, however.
been entirely superseded by observations
made on hnman subjects-young and
healthy adult men. He counted the beats
of the heart, first at regular intervals, dur
ing what was called water periods-that is
to say, during the periodic when the sub
jecS under observation drank nothing bat
water and the next, taking still the same
subject, he counted the beats of the heart
during successive periods 10 which alcohol
was taken in increasing quantities thus,
step by step, he measured the precise &C
| ton of alcohol on the heart, and thereby
| the precise primary Influence induced by
alcohol. The results were as follows:
The average number of beats of the
heart in twenty four hours (as calculated
| from eight observations made in fourteen
hours), during the first or water period
was log. GOO; III the alcohol period 1t was
| 1877 900, or about 81 900 more and in the
brandy period it was 13i 600, or about %,
600 more.
On the tenth day OF the experiment., with
one fluid oQuce of alcohol, the heart beat
| l S72 times more thar during the water pa
Rod. On the twelfth day, with six f1aid
ounces, 30. 672 more.
| 1t is difficult to realize the excessive
amount of work performed by the heart
der this extreme excitement. Little WON
| der is it that, after the labor imposed upon
| il by six ounces of alcohol, the heart should
| flag; still less wonder that the brain and
muscles, which depend upon the heart for
| their blood-supply, should be laCquid f, T
| many hOurS. and shOTlld reuuira the rest of
long sleep for renovation. 1t is hard physi-
cal work, in short, to fight alcohol ;harder
| than rowing, walking, wrestling, carrying
heavy weights, coal heaVing, or the tread
wheel itself This investigation shows
| that alcohol does not in any SENSE act as a
supplier of vital heat, as is commonly sup
posed, and that it does hot prevent the loss
of heat, as those imagine "who take just
q drop to keep out the cold" 1t shows, on
the contrary, that cold and alcohol in their
opinion most fully confirmed by the ex-
perience of those who live or travel in cold
regions of the earth.
i It is assumed by most persons that alec
hol gives strength, and we hear feeble per.
sons saying daily that they are being kept
that they are being kept down, but the
sensation they derive from the immediate
action of the stimulants deceives them and
leaves them to attribute lasting good to
what, in thu large majority OF cases, il
persistent evil. The evidence is all per-
feet that alcohol gives no potential power
to the brain or muscle. During the first
stage of it's action it may enable a wearied
or feeble organism to do brisk work for g
short time; it may make the mind briefly
brilliant it may excite muscles to quick
action, but it does nothing at it's own cost
fills up nothing it has destroyed as it lead!
to destruction.
On the muscular force the very slightes
excess of alcoholic influence is Injurious. DR.
Richardson on this point says:-I find, by
measuring the power of muscles for con
tration in the natural state and under al
cohol, that, SO soon as sthere is distinc
} indication of muscular disturbance, Their
is also indication of muscular failure
and if wished by scientific experiment
to spoil for work the finest specimen of I
working animal, say horse, without in
flicting mechanical injury, could choose
no better agent for the purpose of the ex
: pertinent than alcohol. But, alas the
readiness with which strong we'll built mel
slip into general paralysis under the con
tinued influence of this false support, at
tests how unnecessary it were to put lowe
animal to the proof of an experiment
The experiment is a custom, aud man ii
the ubject."-Association Chronicle.