The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1879-07-28
Pathology Of Drunkenness.
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DR.. N. S. Davis, Of Chicago, dlstin'
guished as a physician as he Is earnest In
the causeoi temperance, in an article upon
the Pathology Of Drunkenness" writing
OF the morbid effects Of alcohol on the hu,
man system, says:
when used habitually in small duanti.
ties, through long periods Of time, It's chieI
morbid effects are seen in fatty degenera.
tons OF structure, more particularly in the
liver, heart, arteries, kidneys, ETC., al.
though may never have produced intox.
ication. But when taken to tho extent oil
frequently inducing inebriation, or what
Is generally termed intemperanCe, there Is
induced peculiar morbid condition Of
the cerebro.spinal nervous system; a NOR
bid condition essential TO the inebriate.
What Is the nature OF this condition? Ger.
tainly not one OF irritation, inflammation,
or even OF excitement, but primarily, dur.
ing the intoxication, one ofanRsthesia.
"a careful analysis OF the phenomena
oil intoxication will show that the incipi.
ent diminution Of sensibility to outward
Impressions as indicated by the light, airy
sensations and less guarded speech, to
complete muscular paralysis and loss Of
consciousness, the process is one OF steady
increasing diminution, both Of voluntary
sensation and motion. Blu! this anss.
thetic effect Is only q part OF the morbid
condition, for the alcohol havinga strong
affinity for the albumen OF the tissues,
not only lessons the sensibilty OF the
nerve structures, but it retards the atomic
or molecular changes In such a degree as
to interfere with the appropriation OF new
atoms, and the removal OF old ones,
as in the healthy process OF nutrition and
disintegration. And hence when the
first or anresthetic stage Is passed, there
is left in all the delicate nervous
structures an altered condition OF the
molecular arrangement, consisting in the
presence ofan undue number OF etFete or
useless cells or molecules, and a deficiency
ofnew and freshly added ones. producing
that sense OF weakness, exhaustion, de-
spondency and irresolution or,mental tim.
idity, always manifested in greater or
less degree in the sequel Of q period OF in
toxication. II the period OF intoxication
has been prolonged through several weeks,
this arrangement OF the molecular condi.
ton OF the brain may be carried SO far that
the organ becomes incapable OF performing
its mental functions with Conference, and
delirium tremens is the result. II this
interference with the molecular changes
in the nervous structures is frequent
" repeated, as in the habitualIy
Incorporate, the morbid condition be-
comes more permanent, and the sensa.
tons Of weakness, sinking, irresolution,
consequent thereon, really constitute what
is usually styled the appetite or Grazing for
more Of the accustomed anGsthetic. The
craving Of the drunkard is by no means
mere relish or love OF the taste Of alcoholic
liquors. On the contrary, to many Of
them the taste Of liquor Is repugnant and
loathsome. But that Undesirable sense
OF sinking and uneasiness, caused by the
defective molecular changes in the cere-
bral structure left after the annsthesia has
passed, is what prompts them to renew
the draught, despite Of its bad taste, the
protest Of friends, or even the conscious
conviction Of the utter ruin to which it
may lead"