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ELEMENTS OF MATERIA MEDICA.

(c.) On man. —The effects of alcoholic liquors on man vary with thestrength of the liquid, the substances with which the alcohol is combined,the quantity taken, and the constitution of the patient.

a. The local effects of alcohol and rectified spirits are those of apowerfully irritant and caustic poison. To whatever part of the bodythese agents are applied they cause contraction and condensation of thetissue, and give rise to pain, heat, redness, and other symptoms ofinflammation. These effects depend partially or wholly on the chemicalinfluence of alcohol over the constituents of the tissues : for the affinity ofthis liquid for water causes it to abstract the latter from soft living partswith which alcohol is placed in contact; and when these are of an albu-minous or fibrinous nature, it coagulates the liquid albumen or fibrin, andincreases the density and firmness of the solid albumen or fibrin. Theirritation and inflammation set up in parts to which alcohol is applied,depends (in part) on the resistance which the living tissue makes to thechemical influence of the poison: in other words, it is the reaction ofthe vital powers, brought about by the chemical action of alcohol. But,besides the local influence of this liquid dependent on its affinity, wccan hardly refuse to admit a dynamical action {vide pp. 7, 11), in virtueof which it sets up local irritation and inflammation, independent ofits chemical agency. The coagulation of the blood contained in thevessels of the part to which this liquid is applied (an effect which Orfilaobserved when he killed an animal by injecting alcohol into the cellulartissue of the thigh of a dog), depends of course on the chemical in-fluence of the poison.

ft. The remote effects of ardent spirits on man may be convenientlyconsidered in the order of their intensity; and for this purpose we maydivide them into three degrees or stages.

1. First or mildest degree {Excitement). —This is characterized byexcitement of the vascular and nervous systems: the pulse is increasedin frequency, the face flushed, the eyes animated and perhaps red,the intellectual functions are powerfully excited, the individual is moredisposed to joy and pleasure; cares disappear; the ideas flow moreeasily and are more brilliant. At this period the most violent protesta-tions of love and friendship are frequently made, there is a strong dispo-sition to talk, and various indiscretions are oftentimes committed. Thisdegree of effect I presume to be the condition to which all personsaspire in drinking: the unfortunate drinks to drown his cares; thecoward to give him courage; the bon-vivant for the sake of enjoying thesociety of his friends; the drunkard from mere sensuality. None,perhaps, would wish to go beyond this, yet many, when they have gotthus far, exceed their intended limit.

2. Second degree {Intoxication or Drunkenness). —The essential cha-racters of this stage are a disordered condition of the intellectual func-tions and of volition, manifested by delirium, varying in its charactersin different individuals, and by an incapability of governing the actionof the voluntary muscles. This state is accompanied with excitement ofthe vascular system, and frequently with nausea and vomiting: it isfollowed by an almost irresistible desire for sleep, which usually con-tinues for several hours, and is attended with copious perspiration.When the patient awakes he complains of headache, loathing of food,great thirst, and lassitude: the tongue is furred and the mouth clammy.