Vol. 60, 1909 - University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. .S7
Like many other questions of medical sens its germicidal power. In addition to
interest, the older they are, the more they this direct germicidal action, alcohol, indiare
subjected to discussion and criticism, rectly acts as a germicide by dissolving fatty
the more inreresting they become: especially material in and around the hair follicles and
in these latter years when they can be ap- allowing a deeper and more perfect action
preached, studied, and in some cases solved of other germicides such as the bichloride
by scientific methods of investigation. Such of mercury.
a statement is certainly true concerning this The influence of alcohol on digestion,
old yet often discarded drug— alcohol. and the role it plays as a food aretwoques-
Occuring as it does free in nature, or at tions which have been severely battered by
least, the elements which enter into its for- laboratory investigations and clinical obmation
are free, namely ferments and servations.
starches, it was natural enough for the an- When the drug is used in a concentrated
cients to use the drug as a remedial agent form it undoubtedly increases the amount
and as a beverage. Juding from the older of blood to the gastro-intestinal tube. This
writings the influence of alcohol upon the increased vascularity persists and as a renervous
system and the circulatory system, suit of its persistence leads to an over proboth
in a dilute and a concentrated form, duction of mucous and a connective tissue
was well understood. The modern concep- hyperplasia in the mucous and sub-mucous
tion of the action of alcohol upon the body coats of the stomach and intestines. The
both before and after absorption, and in mucous which results from an increased
dilute and concentrated solutions, differs in blood supply to the mucous glands is readily
some essentials and in many details from decomposed by the intestinal bacteria with
the views regarding its action which were the formation of acids or fermentation,
held some years ago. This change has been Just what part these acids play in chronic
largely due to the study of the drug from alcoholic auto-intoxication and to what
au experimental laboratory side. Approach- extent they inaugurate the diffuse connected
in such a way, many of the confusing ive tissue overgrowth in the body, which is
factors can be eliminated which exist in a most marked in the liver, blood vessels, and
very pronounced and exaggerated form at kidneys is an intensely live question with
the bed side, which may mask and over- whic i we hope to do something experimentshadow
the action of a drug and render de- ally.
ductions which are seemingly logical falla- When alcohol is used iu small amounts
cious. We frequently hear the remark that and in a well diluted form before or during
conclusions arrived at when the individual meals it acts to a less degree as an irritant
is eliminated from the eciuation must be of but simply this action increases the amount
slight practical value. In this statement of blood to the stomach and intestinal
there is a pronounced element of truth which glands. As a result of the glands receiving
can with ease be discerned when we think more blood, their activity is increased and
of the influence the mind exerts over the there is an increased output of digestive
various functions ot the body in health and juices.
in disease. This influence can not be con- When alcohol is given undiluted with the
sidered as it should be and can not be ap- idea in view of aiding digestion, it nndoubtpreciated
in most laboratory work. 'I'he ly does harm, as the stronger solutions
meatal status of an individual usually plays check the action of unorganized ferments.
but a feeble part in determining the action Alcohol is readily absorbed from the inof
a drug and on this account the jjhanna- testines and is usually quickly oxidized into
cological action of the vast majority of its final eiidproducts, CO2 and II .iO.
drugs can be scientifically determined and The influence which this drug has after
logical deductions for their use arrived at by its absorption is the part of the alcohol queslaboralory
experiments upon anesthetized tion which has been most severely discussed
animals. by the laboratory student and clinician.
THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF ALCO- As a result of the rapid combustion of the
HOL. drug after its absorption it furnishes heat
The action of alcohol when used exler- and energy to the body, lessens the combusnally
depends upon the concentration of the tion of fats and carbohydrates and in this
solution employed. The stronger solutions, way indirectly acts as a food. This point
8O-9.S percent, are not so strongly germi- seems fairly well established and is genercidal
as the weaker, 30-40 percent, solu- ally accepted. The point concerning the
tions. When the stronger solutions come action of alcohol which is still the subject
iu contact with the bacterial cell they pro- of a lively discussion is whether or not it can
duce a superficial coagulation of the albu- be considered a circulatory stimulant. If
minous material of the cell body which pre- alcohol be given to a healthy individual in
vents the penetration of the drug and les- a fairly strong solution it is the common ob-