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

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

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ORIGINAL COMMUNICATIONS. .S7<br />

Like many other questions <strong>of</strong> medical sens its germicidal power. In addition to<br />

interest, the older they are, the more they this direct germicidal action, alcohol, indiare<br />

subjected to discussion and criticism, rectly acts as a germicide by dissolving f<strong>at</strong>ty<br />

the more inreresting they become: especially m<strong>at</strong>erial in and around the hair follicles and<br />

in these l<strong>at</strong>ter years when they can be ap- allowing a deeper and more perfect action<br />

preached, studied, and in some cases solved <strong>of</strong> other germicides such as the bichloride<br />

by scientific methods <strong>of</strong> investig<strong>at</strong>ion. Such <strong>of</strong> mercury.<br />

a st<strong>at</strong>ement is certainly true concerning this The influence <strong>of</strong> alcohol on digestion,<br />

old yet <strong>of</strong>ten discarded drug— alcohol. and the role it plays as a food aretwoques-<br />

Occuring as it does free in n<strong>at</strong>ure, or <strong>at</strong> tions which have been severely b<strong>at</strong>tered by<br />

least, the elements which enter into its for- labor<strong>at</strong>ory investig<strong>at</strong>ions and clinical obm<strong>at</strong>ion<br />

are free, namely ferments and serv<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />

starches, it was n<strong>at</strong>ural enough for the an- When the drug is used in a concentr<strong>at</strong>ed<br />

cients to use the drug as a remedial agent form it undoubtedly increases the amount<br />

and as a beverage. Juding from the older <strong>of</strong> blood to the gastro-intestinal tube. This<br />

writings the influence <strong>of</strong> alcohol upon the increased vascularity persists and as a renervous<br />

system and the circul<strong>at</strong>ory system, suit <strong>of</strong> its persistence leads to an over proboth<br />

in a dilute and a concentr<strong>at</strong>ed form, duction <strong>of</strong> mucous and a connective tissue<br />

was well understood. The modern concep- hyperplasia in the mucous and sub-mucous<br />

tion <strong>of</strong> the action <strong>of</strong> alcohol upon the body co<strong>at</strong>s <strong>of</strong> the stomach and intestines. The<br />

both before and after absorption, and in mucous which results from an increased<br />

dilute and concentr<strong>at</strong>ed solutions, differs in blood supply to the mucous glands is readily<br />

some essentials and in many details from decomposed by the intestinal bacteria with<br />

the views regarding its action which were the form<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> acids or ferment<strong>at</strong>ion,<br />

held some years ago. This change has been Just wh<strong>at</strong> part these acids play in chronic<br />

largely due to the study <strong>of</strong> the drug from alcoholic auto-intoxic<strong>at</strong>ion and to wh<strong>at</strong><br />

au experimental labor<strong>at</strong>ory side. Approach- extent they inaugur<strong>at</strong>e the diffuse connected<br />

in such a way, many <strong>of</strong> the confusing ive tissue overgrowth in the body, which is<br />

factors can be elimin<strong>at</strong>ed which exist in a most marked in the liver, blood vessels, and<br />

very pronounced and exagger<strong>at</strong>ed form <strong>at</strong> kidneys is an intensely live question with<br />

the bed side, which may mask and over- whic i we hope to do something experimentshadow<br />

the action <strong>of</strong> a drug and render de- ally.<br />

ductions which are seemingly logical falla- When alcohol is used iu small amounts<br />

cious. We frequently hear the remark th<strong>at</strong> and in a well diluted form before or during<br />

conclusions arrived <strong>at</strong> when the individual meals it acts to a less degree as an irritant<br />

is elimin<strong>at</strong>ed from the eciu<strong>at</strong>ion must be <strong>of</strong> but simply this action increases the amount<br />

slight practical value. In this st<strong>at</strong>ement <strong>of</strong> blood to the stomach and intestinal<br />

there is a pronounced element <strong>of</strong> truth which glands. As a result <strong>of</strong> the glands receiving<br />

can with ease be discerned when we think more blood, their activity is increased and<br />

<strong>of</strong> the influence the mind exerts over the there is an increased output <strong>of</strong> digestive<br />

various functions ot the body in health and juices.<br />

in disease. This influence can not be con- When alcohol is given undiluted with the<br />

sidered as it should be and can not be ap- idea in view <strong>of</strong> aiding digestion, it nndoubtpreci<strong>at</strong>ed<br />

in most labor<strong>at</strong>ory work. 'I'he ly does harm, as the stronger solutions<br />

me<strong>at</strong>al st<strong>at</strong>us <strong>of</strong> an individual usually plays check the action <strong>of</strong> unorganized ferments.<br />

but a feeble part in determining the action Alcohol is readily absorbed from the in<strong>of</strong><br />

a drug and on this account the jjhanna- testines and is usually quickly oxidized into<br />

cological action <strong>of</strong> the vast majority <strong>of</strong> its final eiidproducts, CO2 and II .iO.<br />

drugs can be scientifically determined and The influence which this drug has after<br />

logical deductions for their use arrived <strong>at</strong> by its absorption is the part <strong>of</strong> the alcohol queslaboralory<br />

experiments upon anesthetized tion which has been most severely discussed<br />

animals. by the labor<strong>at</strong>ory student and clinician.<br />

THE PHARMACOLOGICAL ACTION OF ALCO- As a result <strong>of</strong> the rapid combustion <strong>of</strong> the<br />

HOL. drug after its absorption it furnishes he<strong>at</strong><br />

The action <strong>of</strong> alcohol when used exler- and energy to the body, lessens the combusnally<br />

depends upon the concentr<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the tion <strong>of</strong> f<strong>at</strong>s and carbohydr<strong>at</strong>es and in this<br />

solution employed. The stronger solutions, way indirectly acts as a food. This point<br />

8O-9.S percent, are not so strongly germi- seems fairly well established and is genercidal<br />

as the weaker, 30-40 percent, solu- ally accepted. The point concerning the<br />

tions. When the stronger solutions come action <strong>of</strong> alcohol which is still the subject<br />

iu contact with the bacterial cell they pro- <strong>of</strong> a lively discussion is whether or not it can<br />

duce a superficial coagul<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the albu- be considered a circul<strong>at</strong>ory stimulant. If<br />

minous m<strong>at</strong>erial <strong>of</strong> the cell body which pre- alcohol be given to a healthy individual in<br />

vents the penetr<strong>at</strong>ion <strong>of</strong> the drug and les- a fairly strong solution it is the common ob-

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