The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1903-03-04
Alcohol and consumptIon.

In the recent discussions OF the causes OF
Tuberculosis alcohol has not been consid-
cred a. either an active or predisposing
cause requiring special mention. An ex-
ception to this was noted in the London
congress for the study Of tuberculosis, In
which one OF the papers read emphasized
the importance Of alcohol AZ a cause. In
other similar gatherings little or no refer.
ence was made to alcohol as an etioloSic
factor OF this disease. Recently DR.. Lar
sen. Of Copenhagen. has published Q
pamphlet in which he describes alcohol a.
one of the most prominent n active
causes of tuberculosis. He shows from re-
suits of modern research that alcohol 10
one Of the most dangerous p~oisons in tom
mon use. not only BY impairing oxidation
OF the blood, but fayoring and encouraging
6broid. scierotic and fatty changes Of cell
and tissue. Also it diminishes force, nerve
energy, and is a special protoplasmic
poison.
He asserts that its narcotic and anaes-
thetic action diminishes ~metabolism and
lowers vitality. In this way il favors the
growth of the bacillus Of consumption. He
also proves that al persons who use aIco-
hol have feeble powers Of resistance with
increased susceptibility to the formation OF
terial growths. Dr.. Little, Of Paris, in o
paper read at q medical congress in Vienna
declared that the use Of alcohol was very
intimately associated with and very fre-
auentiy preceded tuberculosis. He de-
c!ared an axiom that all chest diseases
were durable when they occurred in total
abstaiaers. but in alcoholics and moderate
drinkers they were practically fatal: He
asserted that neaf:y all Partisan workman
cu!ous. and that alcohol always prepares
| the way and makss the soil more fertile
kfor the growth Of tuberculosis. He showed
from statistical studies that deaths from
alcoholism. both directly and indirectly,
far exceeded that Of Tuberculosis, and
urged that an a~nti-a.coholic movement was
far more practical than In anti-tuberculous
crusade. These and other papers less
prominent intimate q new field OF causa-
ton which deserves more active study. In
Q recent examination Of the histories OF
significant facts appeared: Forty-four or
the 100 had been moderate or excessive
users Of alcohol before tuberculosis ep-
peared; thirty.nine of the 100 were de
| ~scendants of inebriate ancestors, hence had
inherited q strong p~redisposition to ex.
haustion with low resistant power; ten OF
| the 100 had received alcoholic treatment at
the onset of the disease, which had in.
' creased It's. activity rather than diminished
it. From observations collected by two
! italian authorities it was found that occu-
, patton and professional work, in which al
| cohoiism was common, had q very high
mortality from Tuberculosis. In another
study made in Paris Of $50 cases, 322
proved to be alcoholics. In this coun-
try it appears that the descendants Of al.
coholic parents show an excessive mortal
ity in which tuberculosis and meninsitix
is the most common form OF disease: These
are only hints aad limitations OF the init
mate association OF alcohol in the produc:
ton of tuberculosis. Clinical studies OF
the previous habits Of tuberculosis pa:
tients, particularly concerning the use OF
spirits among their ancestors. would throw
much light on this most interesting study.
journal OF Inebriety.