Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1893-11-09
MEDICAL oIsusE OF ALCOHOL.
Scientific Testimony on the Dangers Of
Liquors In Sickness.

Scientific Testimony on the Dangers OF
Liquors In Sickness.
II have been fully engaged in the
general practice of medicine. inclulin 2
much hospital and dispensary wors
continuously for period of ifty-six
years. During the last fortyhve o.
those years ! have prescribed for in
ternal use no forms of either fermented
or distilled liquors in the treatmen, Of
either acute or chronic diseases, simply
because had previously proved to my
own satisfaction that their effect were
positive hindrance to the reco- cry Of
my patients. During all those years
have embraced every opportunity pre-
sented by consultations with other prac-
titioners. to study the einical results oh
tanned by them. and am certain that
there is no disease that can not be
treated more successfully without alco-
holie liquors than with.
In studying the mode by which alco-
hol produces its effects while in the liv-
ing human system. it is necessary to
appreciate the full import of the follow
ing propositions:
l. ~ htt Nt NtAANibAAAAA anu III CO anu
all natural molecular or meta bolic
changes, nutritive. seeretory and disin-
tegratiag. taking place in the living
tissues, are absolutely dependent on
the presence and movement of blood
containing its natural proportion of
oxygen.
,. The oxygen needed in the blood is
received from the pulmonary air cells
by the hemaglobin and serum of the
blood and in them conveyed to the sys
temie capillaries. where it comes in
contact with, and cxerts its influence
on. every cell and structure OF the
body.
8. Alcohol at ordinary temperatures
of tine air, or even of that of the living
human body manifests but very
feeble affinity for oxygen. but does
manifest a very strong affinity for
water albumen and hemaglobin, act.
ing upon them readily at all ordinary
temperatures
II. therefore. alcohol sufficiently di.
luted to permit its circulation in the
blood. should be introduced. either By
the stomach or any other method. in
stead of uniting with the oxygen, it !
presents its superior affinity for the /
hemaglobin and serum albumen. and |
thereby directly interferes with then |
reception of more oxygen from the pull |
monary air-cells 1t is thus that the
presence of the alcohol hinders the I
hemaglobin from being converted into !
oxy-hemaglobin in the pulmonary
capillaries. and in the same ratio |
the amount of oxygen con.
veyed TO the systemic eapillaries: and /
in the same ratio. also. the nerve sensi- !
bility and metabolic changes diminish I
This affords full explanation of the /
facts now admitted by all who have
studied the subject, namely. 4
that the presence of the alcohol retards 1
both nutritive and disintegrative I
changes. diminishes excretory products
and temperature, and lessons nerve
sensibility and force.
An explanation Of these admitted
Tacts has been hitherto. and still is.
sought for on the supposition that the
iicohol simply unites with oxygen Of
he blood and thereby prevents or
iiminishes the action of the latter on
he tissue elements of the bolv. and
Jet generates heat and some kind Of
orce The fatal defect in this old
or oxidation theory is thar
10 investigator mas been able to ina
he legitimate products Of such oxida-