The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-04-22
Efsct Of STRONG DRINK on tl,e Liver.

The Family Physician tells ms 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 winter, and produce
greater irritation. Alcohol consumed
as wine or beer is far less destructive to
the liver than when taken In the form
OF ardent spirits. A hot climate in
tensifies all the vicious effects OF alco-
hol. faI .'fi 90 81
The symptoms OF cirrhosis OF the
liver are in the early stages often OBJ
scure, but later they are sufficiently
well marked. At first the liver gets
slightly enlarged, and the patient suffers
from pain in the right side, indigestion,
wind and costive bowels. He Is occa-
sionally feverish, his skin is hot and
dry, and he has peculiar, unhealthy,
sallow look, which he probably fails to
notice, but which is sufficiently obvious
to his friends. The necessity for max
ing a change in his habits is forced upon
his attention, and for o week or two he
is under the doctors orders, and not
feeling able to drink any more, he con-
sents to follow restricted diet and to
take course of purgatives. I-
Soon the most prominent symptoms
are relieved, and he fancies himself
we'll again, and quickly returns to his
old habits. Gradually, however, he no.
tices that he is getting thinner and
weaker, and occasionally 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 notice IL,
and then he gradually becomes aware Of
it himself. He finds that he is not +" fit
for business" and he is afraid to see his
people. The patient has occasional fits
Of diarrheea, his appetite fails, and the
emaciation and debility incl ease.
He tries all kinds OF treatment, but
never sticks to one for long at 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 il he could, but he
cannot. His self-reliance is gone, the
alcohol has stolen away 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 prob
ably break 1t tomorrow. Sometimes he
wishes that some one would lock him
up in an asylum, or that by some
chance or other he could have six
months imprisonment, but he never
feels able to put himself under restraint.
After time the liver gets smaller,
and this. instead of being good sign,
is bad one, for it Is contracting. He
would willingly enough consent to knock
off drinking now, but it is too late the
mischief is done, the liver is in state
of cirrhosis, and no medicine can re-
store it to its natural condition. Is
there any remedy for this horrible COM
plant? Yes, one; teetotalism, abso-
lutte abstinence from alcoholic LIQUORS
Of all kinds. This remedy must be ap-
piled carly. 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
consequence.