The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1895-02-14
MEDICAL USE OF ALCOHOL,
The Old Theory That 1t Was an Indespensi-
BILE Remedy Exploded by Careful Study
and Experiment.

The Old Theory That 1t Was an Indcspensi-
BILE Remedy Exploded by Careful Study
and Experiment.
Sir b. w. Richardson, NJ. D., in the
Medical Pioneer, gives a review of
medical practice in the wards of the
London temperance hospital for the
last two years, covering five hundred
cases. These have been treated with
out alcohol, and will compare favor
ably with the treatment in other hos
pitfalls. We make the following ex-
tract from his review:
Having no prejudice against alco-
hol as a medicine, and having no de-
sire to breathe a word that leans i'm
properly on one side or the other
having no object in view but to col
lect facts derived from natural obser-
walton, l have questioned my
self seriously whether there was
single case ending fatally
that could have been benefited-shall
l say, saved-by the administration of
alcohol? Unhesitatingly and conscien-
tiously, | believe there was not. When
| was accustomed to prescribe alcohol,
| should have prescribed it in every one
of the fatal cases-not, in all probable
ity, with the expectation that they
would have recovered under its use as
a necessity, but from habit, and from
so ingrained an idea that its employ
ment was such necessity, that if they
had died in larger numbers, | should
still have believed that its administra-
ton was right. In like manner, and
for the same reasons, | should have ad-
ministered alcohol largely in the sixty
per cent. of cases that recovered, and
in the twenty-four per cent. of cases
that were relieved; and if any of these
had died, | should not for moment
have assumed that alcohol had any
thing to do with the death. I
should also have been sure to have
believed that in every instance where
alcohol was given, it had assisted the
recovery belief which we now see
had no actual foundation, since recov-
cry without alcohol was certainly as
good and in many instances better.
1t has been admitted to me by some
who have seen the practice that they
are astonished at the results, while at
the same time they think that alcohol,
having certain physiological proper
ties, it is an extreme practice to omit
it altogether in the treatment of dis
ease as | have done. why not say
they, why not use it exceptionally
and in its proper place." My answer
may be condensed as follows: This
grand experiment is crucial, and must
not be interfered with by fear
or empty faith. Now that my
eyes are open, l do not see
the proper place for alcohol.
1t is true / do not object to alcohol as
a medicine, if its value as a medicine
can be precisely defined; but to one
who seeking knowledge as apart from
mere faith, it holds a peculiar position.
If it be admitted as a necessity once,
why not admit it twice, three times,
any number of times? And if it be adj
mitted in that way, what else could be
inferred, except that we are unable to
do without it?-a false Inability that
would have destroyed the whole value
of the inquiry and left alcohol trium-
plant. 1t was necessary, therefore, to
withhold it altogether, until it was
shown that the sick were injured by
the act, a danger that did not trans
pire.