The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1888-05-12
TEMPERANCE READING.
ALCOHOL'S DEADLY WORK.

How 1t Affects the Nervous System -
Some Original Experiments by DIR. Ham
mond-The Stages of Intoxication-HoN
the Brain May BE Impregnated with
the Poison.
Several years ago 1 undertook a series OF
experiments for the purpose of arriving al
conclusions, as nearly exact as possible, rel.
alive to the direct effect of alcohol upon
the nervous system. These were performed
upon dogs and rabbits, and consisted of two
series. One series, performed upon dogs,
to which alcohol. in quantities of from one
to three ounces, diluted with equal amounts
of water, was administered by the stomach,
gave these results:
!. Period of xcitation-Uncertaintyi in the
movements OF the limbs acceleration OF pulse
and respiration, contraction Of the pupils.
2. Period Of perversion - Muscular paraly-
sis beginning in the posterior extremities, If
regularity OF pulse and OF respiration, dilata-
ton of the pupils.
8. Period OF collapse-Complete paralysis OF
motion, anesthesia, feebleness Of the pulse
and of respiration, stoppage of respiration and
of the hearts action, DEATH
Now, l was DESTROYS of knowing how
much of each Of these conditions was due
to the presence of alcohol in the blood
circulating through the brain, and how
much to disturbance in the quantity of
blood normally present in this organ
therefore made an opening in the skull of
a dog, and secured in it an instrument, by
means of which any increase or diminu-
ton of the amount of blood contained in
the brain could be exactly determined
then gave the animal an ounce of alcohol
diluted with an equal quantity of water.
In fifty seconds | detected alcohol in the
air expired from the lungs. In four and a
h If minutes the respiration was acceler-
ated, the action of the heart became more
rapid and strong, and the pupils were be-
ginning to contract Still there was no in
crease in the intracranial pressure, and
therefore knew that, up to this time, the
amount of llood in the brain had not been
augmented. In six minutes and half the
dogs gait was staggering, and, though Its
movements were uncertain, as if from
vertigo, there was no paralysis The in
tracranial pressure was still unaltered
The fluid remained stationary in the tube
of the instrument for seventeen minutes.
Then tbegan to rise slowly, and with this
increase in the intracranial pressure pa
ralysis of the posteriOr eXtremities supe-
vened. AS the amount of blood contained
in tho Uranium became greater the paraly-
sis extended, the pupils dilated and stupor
ensued. repeated this experimental twice
with similar results.
The deductions to be made are that the
first symptoms which results from the tax
ing OF alcohol into the system are due to the
circulation of this substance through the
blood vessels of the brain, while the later
phenomna are, in part at least, the results
of cerebral congestion. In man like Sc
quence is observed. single glass OF
wine induces an eXhilaration and activity
of mind before there is any evidence OF
an increase in the amount of blood circu-
lating in the cerebral blood vessels. Thus
we have as the immediate effects of alco-
hol upon the nervous system a certain de-
gree of poisoning of the brain from the
direct action of alcohol upon its substance,
and in the next place an increase in the
amount of blood circulating through this
organ
We are hence able to study with a consid-
cradle degree of eXactness the phenomena
of alcoholic intoXication so far as they re-
late to the nervous system We have, in the
first place, the stage of excitement which is
characterized by a sensation of heat in the
skin of the whole body and by redness
in the face. The eyes appear to be larger
and more brilliant, the ideas flow more
readily and are Of better quality than are
natural to the individual The tendency to
talk is generally increased but the articu-
latiOn is usually notso distinct and exact as
is natural The disposition becomes more
generous, and there is, perhaps, more reck-
lessness as to consequences, although the
bounds of propriety relative to conduct and
conversation are not exceeded. Occasion
ally different set of symptoms results.
The individual, from being naturally talks-
tive, becomes taciturn and stolid, and gen.
erous disposition is changed to one of which
churlishness selfishness and tendency to
quarrel are the chief features. If the guam
tity of alcohol taken has been small
or if the individual now ceases to drink it,
the subsequent stages of jntoxication do
not supervene and the equilibrium is soon
restored without the occurrence of any alb
normal condition. But if the amount i'm
bibed has been large, or if the potations
are continued, the second stage that OF
perturbation, ensues
There are now vertigo, disturbances of
sight such as result from paralysis of one or
more of the muscles of the eyeballs and Civ
ing rise to double vision, contraction of the
pupils, noises in the ears and increased red
ness of the face The sense OF taste be
comes weakened, the voice loses its natural
infections and is rough and monotonous,
and the articulation is indistinct from par
tial paralysis and defective coordination
of the muscles of speech. The gait, from
like paralysis of the muscles of the lower
limbs, becomes weak and uncertain, and
hence if the individual attempts to walk,
he staggers. The movements of the upper
limbs are irregular and often exhibit
marked tremor like that which constitutes
SO prominent feature of paralysis agitans,
or shaking palsy, as it is called in the YER
nacular.
Still greater alterations from the normal
standard are shown in the mind. The most
striking change occurs with the emotions
which generally assume an undue promi-
nence and dominate over other of the men,
tai faculties And it not infrequently hap
pens that the feeling which is most con-
spicuous 10 the very opposite of that which
is natural to the person affected. Thus the
brave man becomes cowardly, the timid
courageous, the peaceable querrelsome the
modest shameless, etc. Usually, howey or,
the emotions which the subject in his nor
NAL condition is able to control and to keep
in proper subordination to the intellect
and will become exaggerated and are no
longer held in subsection. 1t therefore
happens thai when this stage Of alcoholic
intoxication is reached the person who
while in his natural state, is high-tone and
spirited, is now ready to take offense and &c
engage in quarrels upon the slightest prov