New Ulm weekly review. [volume] (New Ulm, Minn.) 1878-1892, 1888-01-18

There ire, however, certain draw
backs to the MD that may be derived
/ from alcohol In the process of digestion.
1 The solubility OF the albumenoid in.
Igredient of food is somewhat diminished
/ by the direct action of ethyl alcohol
Undue prominence is given to this eff.
feet in many text books; for this inter.
ference with the solubility Of albumen.
ODDS is almost insignificant in The small
and Well-diluted doses. We might as
we'll claim highly beneficial effects from
its power OF dissolving most oils.
/ The digestive power of the gastric
juice is principally due to the pepsin ii
contains. If a little gastric juice that
has been taken from the stomach of an
animal, be put in a test-tube and alco-
hol be added to it, more or less of the
pepsin will sink 10 the bottom Of the
tube in the form OF a white POWDER.
his is a very interesting experiment.
but some attention should be given to
the fact that no perceptible amount Of
| pepsin is thus coagulated unless the
amount of alcohol used is very large in
| proportion to that of gastric juice. Now,
| considering that the quantity of gastric
| juice secreted at each meal is from one
to two quarts, we can form some idea
of the extent to which small dose of
diluted alcohol deprives the gastric
juice Of its pepsin. Furthermore, a
small quantity of alcohol remains in
the stomach only an exceedingly short
time 1t is rapidly absorbed and car
eied away by the blood-vessels. latter
the alcohol passes out of the stomach,
tile pepsin is dissolved again" CDR
Smith.) The effect of alcohol upon the
gastric juice can, therefore, not inter-
tere with digestion in any perceptible
degree, unless, by the introduction of
large quantities, a considerable portion
OF the alcohol remains unabsorbed in
the stomach for some time.
In the use of alcoholics, as IN everv-
thing else, there is certain limit which
connot be safely transgressed. A state
OF moderate congestion is requisite to
the performance of the functions of an
organ. Excessive congestion momen-
tarily excites to over-action, but is more
or less rapidly followed by partial OF
even complete paralysis Of the nerves
that control activity. Excessive con-
gestion OF the stomach thus always in
terferes with its proper work, and may
be carried to q point where the stomach
refuses to act. The excessive use of
alcoholics day after day is attended by
morbid congestion. which gradually
weakens the stomach and slowly trans
forms it into an organ which no longer
deserves that name. Hardening of the
lining membrane and gastric glands,
thickenng OF the walls, permanent in
Illumination, formation of new tissue
growths, liberation and destruction of
parts of the stomach are effects which,
in extreme cases, combine in rendering
the stomach entirely unfit for it's life
sustaining work.
''ln small doses, alcohol stimulates
the APPETITE and increases the supply of
gastric juice; but if given in larger
quantities. nausea is produced. and the
desire for food disappears. In the adj
vanced stages OF chronic ale oholism,
the stomach is injured by the contrac.
ton OF the new areolar tissue obliterat.
ing its glands, and hence we find dys
pepsia with morning vomiting very
| common symptom in drunkards. Gar.
uuharson.)