Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-03-23
NO. 20.
Miseellaneous.
now LIQu0R DESTROYS.

The Family Physician tells us that when
alcohol is introduced into the stomach in
the ordinary way it nearly all passes
through the liver. Undiluted spirits are
much more injurious than when mixed
with water, and produce greater irritation.
| Alcohol consumed rs wine or beer is far
less destructive to the liver than when TAX
en- in the form of ardent spirits. A hot
climate intensiiies all the vicious effects
Of alcohol
The symptoms of cirrhosis of the liver
are in the early stages often obscure, but
later they are sufficiently well marked.
At first the liver gets slightly enlarged.
ard the patient suffers from pain in the
right side. indigestion, wind and costive
bowels. lie Is occasionally tcverish, his
skin is hot and dry. and he has peculiar
unhealthy. sallow look. which he proba-
bly, fails TO notice. but which is sufficient
ly obvIons to his friends. The necessity
for making a change in his habits is forced
upon his attention. and for week or two
he is under the doctors orders, and not
feeling able TO drink any more. he con-
sen;s TO follow restricted diet, and to
take course of purgatives.
Soon the most prominent symptoms are
relieved. and he fancies himself well again
and quickly returns to his old habits.
Gradually however, he notices that he Is
getting thinner and weaker, and OCCASION
ally has pain in the side He is nervous
and out of sorts. He has no longer the
pluck he used to have first his friends no.
tice it, then he gradually becomes aware of
1t himself. lie finds that he is not "tit for
business and he is afraid to see his peo-
pie. The patient has occasional fits Of
darrh9a, his appetite fails. and the ema-
citation and debility increase.
lie tries all kinds of treatment. but new
er sticks to one for long at a time. He
consults every doctor of any note in the
city. and derives little IL any benefit from
their advice. He would give up the drink
if he could. but he cannot. His self.re-
lance is gone. the alcohol has stolen awav
his will. and he is utterly incapable of
giving up the dangerous fascination. He
will take an oath to-day that he will never
touch another drop of spirits, and will
probably break it to morrow. Sometimes
he wishes that some one would 10 * him
up in an asylum or that by some chance
or other he could have six months i'm
prisonment. but he never feels able to put
himself under restraint
Alter time the liver gets smaller, and
this, instead OF being good sign, is bad
one, for il is contracting. He would will
ingly enough consent to knock Off drink
ing now, but it is too late the mischief is
done, the liver is in a state of cirrhosis,
and no medicine can restore it to its nat
ural condition. Is there any remedy for
this horrible complaint Yes, one tee
totalism, absolute abstinence from alco-
hoic liquors Of all kinds This remedy
must be applied early. If he waits until
his liver has undergone serious organic
change. it is too late No half measures
will suffice; he must give up drink of all
kinds. If he does this he will recover:
but if he goes on in his old plan an early
and painful death is the inevitable conse-
quence.