The weekly Thibodaux sentinel and journal of the 8th Senatorial District. [volume] (Thibodaux, Lna. [i.e. La.]) 1875-1898, 1886-07-03
Nkc Ihiooalus Sfns.,sN,
ALCOHOL.


which may we'll receive the closest at
tention of the advocates Of stimulants.
In one research the doctor endeavor
ed to determine from observation on
inferior animals the actual degree of
vascular excitement induced by aIco-
hoi, aud the results are tull OF interest.
They have, however, been entirely SUI
perseded by ob>ei valions made on hn
mai suhiects-yonng and healthy adnlt
men. H. coanted the beat, OF the
heart, first ut regular intervals, duiln9
what was called water period,-tlat i
to say. during the periods when tie
subject under observation drank noth
ing but Wate.: aud the mex , taking
still the same slhlrct. he counted the
beats of the Heart during successive
periods in which ale ,!:Oi was taken III
increasing quantities: thus, step by
step, he measured the precise action OF
alcohol on the heart. ana Thereby the
precise primary influence indeed by
alcohol. The results We're as follows
The average number Of beats of the
ted from eight observations made in
fourteen hoar>), durin, the first or wa
ter period was IO2. 900 in the alcohol
period is was ~ 900. or about , I,O0O
more and in the brandy period it wa.
l3i 900, or about $1,000 more.
On the tenth day of The experiment.
with one fluid ounce OF alcohol, the heart
beat l,e72 times more than durin.
the water period. Gu the twelfth day.
with six fiaid ounces 30 .672 more.
1t Is difficult to realize the excessive
amount OF work pertoi med by the heart
under this extreme excitement. Lit
tie wonder i 4 it that, after the labor i'm
posed upoH it by six ounces Of alcohol
the heart should fla. still less won
der that the brain aud muscles which
depend upon the heart for their blood
supply, should b. languid for many
hour, and >honld reqrire the rest OF
long sleep for renovation. 1t is hard
physical work, in short, to fight alco
wrestling. carrying heavy weights,
coal heaving, or the tread wheel itself,
This investigation shows that alcohol
does not in any sense act IA il supplier
OF vital heat. as is commonly supposed.
and that it does not prevent the loss of
heat, as those imagine who tax jus
a drop to keep out the cold 1t Slows.
ON the contrary. that cold and aicohoi
10 their effects or the body run closely
together. an opinion most fully confirm
ed by the experience of those VIII" live
or travel in cod regions Of the earth.
1t is assumed by most persons that
alcohol gives strength. and we hear fee
bic persons saying daily that they are
being kept up by stimulants. This
means actually that they ale being
kept down, bnt the Sensation they d.
rive from the immediate action of the
stimulants deceives them and leaves
them to attribute lasting good to what,
in the large majority of cases, is persi-
tent evil. The evidence is all perfect
that alcohol gives no potential power
to the brain or muscle. Daring the
first stage of its action it may enable a
wearied or feeble organism to do brisk
work for Il short time it may make
the mind briefly brilliant: it MAJ ex
cite muscles 10 quick action, but it
does nothing at It's own cost, to des
truction.
On the muscular fo:cc The very slight
est excess of alcoholic Influence is iniu
Tious. DR.. Richardson o., this point
says ~ find, by measuring The power
of muscles for conttation in the natu
raj state and under alcohol: that, SO
soon as there is a distinct indication of
ui>tai 'nthCf, there Is also maj
cation OF muscular failure. and if
wished by scientific experiment to spoil
tor work the finest specimen of Il work
ing animal, say a horse. without infict
ing mechanical ininry,.I could choose
no better agent for the purpose OF the
experiment than alcohol. But. alas .
the readiness with which strong well