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Allen. + </title> + <style type="text/css"> +/*<![CDATA[ XML blockout */ +<!-- +body { + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; +} + + h1,h2,h3,h4,h5,h6 { + text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ + clear: both; +} + + +p { + margin-top: .75em; + text-align: justify; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +.toc { + margin-top: .5em; + margin-left: 10%; + margin-right: 10%; + text-align: left; + margin-bottom: .75em; +} + +.ralign { + position: absolute; + top: auto; + right: 20%; + text-align: right;} + +hr { + width: 33%; + margin-top: 2em; + margin-bottom: 2em; + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + clear: both; +} + +table { + margin-left: auto; + margin-right: auto; + margin-bottom: 2em; } + +.center table { margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; } + + .tdr {text-align: right;} /* right align cell */ + .tdc {text-align: center;} /* center align cell */ + .tdl {text-align: left;} /* left align cell */ + .tdlt {text-align: left; vertical-align: top;} /* left align cell, vertical aligned to the top */ + .tdrp {text-align: right; padding-right: 1em;} /* right align cell */ + .tdrp2 {text-align: right; padding-right: 2em;} /* right align cell */ + .tdrpt {text-align: right; padding-right: 1em; vertical-align: top;} /* right align cell */ + .tdrt {text-align: right; vertical-align: top;} /* right align cell, vertical top */ + .tdlp {text-align: left; padding-left: .5em;} /* left align cell */ + +.pagenum { /* uncomment the next line for invisible page numbers */ + /* visibility: hidden; */ + position: absolute; + left: 92%; + font-size: x-small; + text-align: right; +} /* page numbers */ + + +.blockquot { + margin-left: 2%; + margin-right: 2%; + font-size: 95%; +} + +.bb {border-bottom: solid 2px;} + +.bl {border-left: solid 2px;} + +.bt {border-top: solid 2px;} + +.br {border-right: solid 2px;} + +.bbox {border: solid 2px;} + +.center {text-align: center;} + +.smcap {font-variant: small-caps;} + +.u {text-decoration: underline;} + +.caption {font-weight: bold;} + +/* Images */ +.figcenter { + margin: auto; + text-align: center; +} + +.figleft { + float: left; + clear: left; + margin-left: 0; + margin-bottom: 1em; + margin-top: 1em; + margin-right: 1em; + padding: 0; + text-align: center; +} + +/* Footnotes */ +.footnotes {border: dashed 1px;} + +.footnote {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; font-size: 0.9em;} + +.footnote .label {position: absolute; right: 84%; text-align: right;} + +.fnanchor { + vertical-align: super; + font-size: .8em; + text-decoration: + none; +} + +/* Poetry */ +.poem { + margin-left:10%; + margin-right:10%; + text-align: left; +} + +.poem br {display: none;} + +.poem .stanza {margin: 1em 0em 1em 0em;} + +.poem span.i0 { + display: block; + margin-left: 0em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i2 { + display: block; + margin-left: 2em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.poem span.i4 { + display: block; + margin-left: 4em; + padding-left: 3em; + text-indent: -3em; +} + +.trans_note {margin-left: 10%; margin-right: 10%; margin-top: 2em; margin-bottom: 4em; + font-size: 0.9em; border: solid 1px; + padding-bottom: .2em; padding-top: .2em; + padding-left: .5em; padding-right: .5em;} + + +// --> +/* XML end ]]>*/ + </style> + </head> +<body> + + +<pre> + +The Project Gutenberg EBook of Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary +Medicine, How and Why, by Martha M. Allen + +This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with +almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or +re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included +with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org + + +Title: Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary Medicine, How and Why + What Medical Writers Say + +Author: Martha M. Allen + +Release Date: October 4, 2008 [EBook #26774] + +Language: English + +Character set encoding: UTF-8 + +*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ALCOHOL *** + + + + +Produced by Bryan Ness, Deirdre M., and the Online +Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This +book was produced from scanned images of public domain +material from the Google Print project.) + + + + + + +</pre> + + + +<div class="trans_note"><a name="top" id="top"></a> +<p class="center"><big>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</big></p> +<p class="noindent"> +Every effort has been made to replicate this text as +faithfully as possible; please see <a href="#TN">list of printing issues</a> at the +end.</p> +</div> + + +<h1>ALCOHOL</h1> + +<h3>A DANGEROUS AND UNNECESSARY MEDICINE<br /> +HOW AND WHY<br /><br /></h3> + +<h3>What Medical Writers Say<br /><br /><br /><br /></h3> + +<h4>BY</h4> + +<h2>MRS. MARTHA M. ALLEN</h2> + +<p class="center"><i>Superintendent of the Department of Medical Temperance for the<br /> +National Woman’s Christian Temperance Union</i><br /><br /><br /><br /></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Published by the</span><br /> +DEPARTMENT OF MEDICAL TEMPERANCE<br /> +OF THE<br /> +NATIONAL WOMAN’S CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION<br /></p> + +<p class="center"><span class="smcap">Marcellus, New York</span></p> + + +<p class="center"><small><span class="smcap">Copyright</span>, 1900.</small> +</p> + + +<hr /> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[Pg iii]</a></span></p> + +<h2>CONTENTS.</h2> + +<div style="margin-left: 15%; margin-right: 15%"><p><b><span class="smcap">Introduction</span></b><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_5">5</a></span></p> + +<p><b><span class="smcap">Preface to Second Edition</span></b><span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_7">7</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER I.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">History of the Study of Alcohol.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Discovery of distillation--First American investigator of +effects of alcohol--Medical Declarations--Sir B. W. +Richardson's researches--Scientific Temperance Instruction +in American Schools--Committee of Fifty<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_9">9</a></span></p> + +<h4>CHAPTER II.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">The Woman’s Christian Temperance Union<br /> in +Opposition to Alcohol as Medicine.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">How the Opposition began—Memorial to International +Medical Congress—Origin of Medical Temperance Department—Objects +of the department—Public agitation +against patent medicines originated by the department—Laws +of Georgia, Alabama and Kansas on Medical +prescription of alcohol<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_21">21</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER III.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Alcohol as a Producer of Disease.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Alcohol a poison—Sudden deaths from brandy—Changes +in liver, kidneys, heart, blood-vessels and nerves caused +by alcohol—Beer and wine as harmful as the stronger +drinks—Alcohol causes indigestion—Other diseases +caused by alcohol—Deaths from alcoholism in Switzerland<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_28">28</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER IV.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Temperance Hospitals.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">The London Temperance Hospital—Methods of treatment—The +Frances E. Willard Temperance Hospital, +Chicago—“As a beverage" in the pledge—Address by +Miss Frances E. Willard at opening of hospital—The +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[Pg iv]</a></span>Red Cross Hospital—Clara Barton and non-alcoholic +medication—Reports of treatment in Red Cross Hospital—Use +of Alcohol declining in other hospitals<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_37">37</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER V.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">The Effects of Alcohol Upon the Human Body.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">The body composed of cells—Effect of alcohol on cells—Alcohol +and Digestion—Effects on the blood—The +heart—The liver—The kidneys—Incipient Bright’s disease +recovered from by total abstinence—Retards oxidation +and elimination of waste matters—Lengthens +duration of sickness and increases mortality<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_58">58</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER VI.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Alcohol as Medicine.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Medical use of alcohol a bulwark of the liquor traffic—Alcohol +not a Food—Alcohol reduces temperature—Food +principle of grains and fruits destroyed by fermentation—Alcohol +not a Stimulant—Experiments +proving this—Alcohol not a tonic—Professor Atwater +on Alcohol as Food<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_96">96</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER VII.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Alcohol in Pharmacy.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Strong tinctures rouse desire for drink in reformed inebriates—Glycerine +and acetic acid to preserve drugs—Non-alcohol +tinctures in use at London Temperance +Hospital—Sale of liquor in drug-stores condemned by +pharmacists<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_131">131</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER VIII.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Diseases, and Their Treatment Without Alcohol.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Alcoholic Craving—Anæmia—Apoplexy—Boils and Carbuncle—Catarrh—Hay-Fever—Colds—Colic—Cholera—Cholera Infantum—Consumption—Displacements—Debility—Diarrhœa—Dysentery—Dyspepsia—Fainting—Fits—Flatulence—Headache—Hemorrhage—Heart +Disease—Heart +Failure—Insomnia—La Grippe—Measles—Malaria—Neuralgia—Nausea—Pneumonia—Pain After +Food—Snake-bite—Rheumatism—Spasms—Shock—Sudden +Illness—Sunstroke—Typhoid Fever—Vomiting<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_140">140</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER IX.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Alcohol and Nursing Mothers.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Beer not good for nursing mothers—Helpful diet—Opinions +of medical men—Analysis of milk of a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[Pg v]</a></span>temperate woman—Of a drinking woman—Advice of +Dr. James Edmunds, of the Lying-In Hospital, London—How +to feed the baby—Case of a young mother +who used beer—Nathan S. Davis on beer and gin<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_234">234</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER X.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Comparative Death-Rates With and Without +the Use of Alcohol.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Fewer deaths in smallpox hospitals without alcohol—200 +cases of scarlet fever without alcohol—Non-alcoholic +treatment of fevers with less than 5 per cent. death-rate—Report +of cases in English and Scotch hospitals—340 +cases of typhus—London Lancet articles on typhoid—Mercy +Hospital, Chicago—Death-rates in pneumonia +and typhoid in large hospitals—Sir B. W. Richardson’s +report of practice<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_247">247</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XI.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Reasons Why Alcohol is Dangerous as Medicine.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Researches of Abbott—Vital Resistance lowered by alcohol—Experiments +upon Urinary Toxicity—Effect +of alcohol upon the guardian-cells of the body—Dr. +Sims Woodhead on immunity—<a name="Page_vt" id="Page_vt"></a><a href="#Page_vtn">Deléarde’s</a> experiments +at the Pasteur Institute—Dr. A. Pearce Gould +on alcohol and cancer—Delirium in illness caused by +alcohol<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_262">262</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XII.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Why Doctors Still Prescribe Alcoholics.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Public often demand it—Lack of knowledge of true +nature of alcohol—Alcohol given undeserved credit for +recoveries—Use of alcohol results from custom—Education +of the people in teachings of non-alcoholic physicians +necessary—Prescription of alcohol a matter of +routine—Two examples<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_291">291</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XIII.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Alcoholic Proprietary or “Patent" Medicines.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">The Pure Food Law—The guarantee—Newspaper opposition +to the law—Headache remedies—Fake testimonials—Dangers +of soothing syrups and morphine +cough syrups—Fraud orders issued by Post-Office Department—Internal +Revenue Department and Patent +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[Pg vi]</a></span>Medicines—Proprietary “Foods" strongly alcoholic—Alcoholic +Cod-Liver Oil preparations—Australia’s +Royal Commission on Patent Medicines—Committee +on Pharmacy analyses—Malt extracts—Coca Wines—Advertising, +the strength of the Nostrum business—An +effectual remedy<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_299">299</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XIV.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Drugging.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Drugs do not cure disease—Nature cures—Opinions of +drug medication of prominent physicians—La grippe +caused by drug taking—Coal-tar drugs—Quinine—Sir +Frederick Treves on disuse of drugs—People demand +drugs of physicians—Mothers make drug victims of +their children—Habit-producing drugs—Causes of +drug-taking—How to be well<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_335">335</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XV.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Testimonies of Physicians Against Alcoholic +Medication.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">No need for substitutes for alcohol—Alcohol hides symptoms +of disease—Responsibility of physicians—Opinions +of many teachers in medical colleges—Hot milk +better than alcohol—<i>Journal of the American Medical +Association</i> on researches of Abbott and Laitinen—Resolution +against alcohol of West Virginia Medical +Society—Dr. Knox Bond on Scarlet Fever—<a name="Page_vit" id="Page_vit"></a><a href="#Page_vitn">Metchnikoff</a> +on white blood-cells—Kassowitz describes his +treatment of fevers—Sims Woodhead’s opinions—Opinions +of German Physicians—Dr. Harvey blames +medical profession for careless use of alcohol and +opium—Use of Alcohol declining rapidly in medical +practice<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_356">356</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XVI.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Recent Researches Upon Alcohol.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Experiments of Laitinen—Resistance of blood-cells to +disease lowered by alcohol—International Congress on +Alcoholism, London, 1909—Alcohol and Immunity—Effect +of Alcohol Drinking on Human Off-spring—Researches +of Kraepelin and Aschaffenberg—Economic +losses by reduced work through beer and wine drinking—Researches +of Dr. Reid Hunt—Mice given alcohol +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[Pg vii]</a></span>killed by small doses of poison—Difference in effect +of alcohol and starch foods—Chittenden on food theory +of alcohol—Researches of Dr. S. P. Beebe—Liver impaired +by alcohol—Dr. Winfield S. Hall’s interpretation +of the researches of Beebe and Hunt—Oxidation of +alcohol by liver a protective action—Researches show +that alcohol is a poison, not a food<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_392">392</a></span></p> + + +<h4>CHAPTER XVII.<br /> + +<span class="smcap">Miscellaneous.</span></h4> + +<p class="toc">Alcohol Baths—Beverages for the Sick—Tobacco and +the Eyesight—Advertised “Cures" for Drunkenness—How +to quit drinking—Dr. T. D. <a name="Page_viit" id="Page_viit"></a><a href="#Page_viitn">Crothers’</a> remedy +for drink crave—Alcohol and Children—Alcohol +Tested—Beer-Drinking Injurious to Health—Drug +Drinks—Special Directions for Women—Total Abstinence +and Life Insurance—Opinions of Life Insurance +Companies on drinkers as risks<span class="ralign"><a href="#Page_410">410</a></span> +</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_5" id="Page_5">[Pg 5]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="INTRODUCTION" id="INTRODUCTION"></a>INTRODUCTION.</h2> + + +<p>This book is the outcome of many years of +study. With the exception of a few quotations, +none of the material has ever before appeared in +any book. The writer has been indebted for years +past to many of the physicians mentioned in the +following pages for copies of pamphlets and magazines, +and for newspaper articles, bearing upon the +medical study of alcohol. Indeed, had it not been +for the kindly counsels and hearty co-operation of +physicians, she could never have accomplished all +that was laid upon her to do as a state and national +superintendent of Medical Temperance for the +Woman’s Christian Temperance Union. She is also +under obligation for helps received from the secretaries +of several State Boards of Health, and from +eminent chemists and pharmacists.</p> + +<p>The object of the book is to put into the hands +of the people a statement of the views regarding +the medical properties of alcohol held by those +physicians who make little, or no use of this drug. +In most cases their views are given in their own +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_6" id="Page_6">[Pg 6]</a></span>language, so that the book is, of necessity, largely +a compilation.</p> + +<p>It is hoped that while the laity may be glad to +peruse these pages because of the very useful and +interesting information to be obtained from them, +the medical profession, also, may be pleased to find, +in brief form, the teachings of some of their most +distinguished brethren upon a question now frequently +up for discussion in society meetings.</p> + +<p>The writer does not presume to set forth her +own opinions upon a question which is still a subject +of dispute among the members of a learned +profession; she simply culls from the writings of +those members of that profession who, having +made thorough examination of the claims of +alcohol, have decided that this drug, as ordinarily +used, is more harmful than beneficial, and that +medical practice would be upon a higher plane, +were it driven entirely from the pharmacopœia.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_7" id="Page_7">[Pg 7]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="PREFACE_TO_SECOND_EDITION" id="PREFACE_TO_SECOND_EDITION"></a>PREFACE TO SECOND EDITION.</h2> + + +<p>When the first edition of this book was published in 1900, +there were only a few leading physicians either in Europe or +America who were ready to condemn the medical use of +alcohol. Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson, Sims Woodhead, +and a few others in England; Forel, Kassowitz and one or +two more on the Continent, and Nathan S. Davis, T. D. +Crothers and J. H. Kellogg, in America, were about all that +could be quoted largely as opposed to alcoholic liquors as +remedies in disease. Whisky was then looked upon as +necessary in the treatment of consumption and diphtheria. +Ten years have brought about a great change. There are +many American physicians now willing to admit that they +have very little or no use for alcoholic liquors as remedial +agents, and now, instead of recommending whisky for consumption +anti-tuberculosis literature almost everywhere warns +against the use of intoxicating drinks. The use of anti-toxin +in diphtheria has driven out whisky treatment in that +disease with markedly favorable results. Under the whisky +treatment death-rates ran up to fifty-five and sixty per +cent.; now the diphtheria death-rate is very low. Ten years +ago many good authorities still ranked alcohol as a stimulant; +now, almost all rank it as a depressant. In England, +leading physicians and surgeons have spoken so strongly +against alcohol in the last few years that the London <i>Times</i>, +England’s leading newspaper, said: “According to recent +developments of scientific opinion, it is not impossible that a +belief in the strengthening and supporting qualities of alcohol +will eventually become as obsolete as a belief in witchcraft.”<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_8" id="Page_8">[Pg 8]</a></span></p> + +<p>So far as the writer can learn from replies sent to her +inquiries by teachers of medicine, and by study of text-books +on medicine, and articles in good medical journals, +alcohol now has only a very limited use in medicine with the +great majority of successful physicians. Some recommend +wine in <i>diabetes mellitus</i>, saying that it acts less like a poison +and more like a food in that disease than in any other. +Some use alcoholic liquors in fevers as a food “to save the +burning of tissue,” but an article on “Therapeutics” in the +<i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i>, for November +6, 1909, page 1564, says that sugar would probably have +equal value in such case. The same article says that hot +baths, with hot lemonade, and a quickly acting cathartic, will +abort a cold without any need of recourse to alcohol.</p> + +<p>The writer wishes here to make grateful acknowledgment +of courtesies received from busy physicians who have aided +materially in her work by answering personal letters of inquiry, +also letters published in the <i>Journal of the American +Medical Association</i>, by kindness of the editor. Especially +would she thank those professors of medicine and superintendents +of large hospitals, who so courteously aided her in +preparing a paper for the International Congress on Alcoholism, +held in London, July, 1909, to which she was a delegate, +representing the United States government. A few of +the replies received at that time are given in this book. +There was not room for all.</p> + +<p>She wishes also to acknowledge kindness and much help +received from pharmacists and druggists in the fight against +dangerous patent medicines and drug drinks sold at soda +fountains. The <i>Druggists’ Circular</i>, of New York, deserves +special mention in this connection.</p> + +<p>It has been necessary to make many changes in this edition +because of the changing views on alcohol and the publicity +on patent medicines. Physicians will find Chapter XVI +entirely new, and of great interest.</p> + +<p> +<span class="ralign">M. M. A.</span><br /> +</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_9" id="Page_9">[Pg 9]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="ALCOHOL" id="ALCOHOL"></a>ALCOHOL.</h2> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_I" id="CHAPTER_I"></a>CHAPTER I.</h2> + +<h3>HISTORY OF THE STUDY OF ALCOHOL.</h3> + + +<p>The only intoxicating drinks known to the +ancients were wines and beers. That these were +used for medicinal as well as beverage purposes is +evident from sacred and secular history. About +the tenth century of the Christian era, an Arabian +alchemist discovered the art of distillation, by +which the active principle of fermented liquors +could be drawn off and separated. To the spirit +thus produced the name alcohol was given. A +plausible reason cited for this name is that the +Arabian for evil spirit is <i>Al ghole</i>, and the effects +of the mysterious liquid upon men suggested +demoniacal possession.</p> + +<p>Medical knowledge at this time was very limited: +there was no accurate way of determining the real +nature of the new substance, nor its action upon +the human system. It could be judged only by its +<i>seeming</i> effects. As these were pleasing, it was +supposed that a great medical discovery had been +made. The alchemists had been seeking a panacea +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_10" id="Page_10">[Pg 10]</a></span>for all the ills to which flesh is heir, indeed for +something which would enable men even to defy +Death, and the subtle new spirit was eagerly proclaimed +as the long-looked-for cure-all, if not the +very <i>aqua vitæ</i> itself. Physicians introduced it to +their patients, and were lavish in their praises of its +curative powers. The following is quoted from +the writings of Theoricus, a prominent German of +the sixteenth century, as an example of medical +opinion of alcohol in his day:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It sloweth age, it strengtheneth youth, it helpeth digestion, +it cutteth phlegme, it cureth the hydropsia, it healeth the +strangurie, it pounces the stone, it expelleth gravel, it keepeth +the head from whirling, the teeth from chattering, and the +throat from rattling; it keepeth the weasen from stiffling, the +stomach from wambling, and the heart from swelling; it +keepeth the hands from shivering, the sinews from shrinking, +the veins from crumbling, the bones from aching, and the +marrow from soaking.”</p></div> + +<p>Being a medicine, which very rapidly creates a +craving for itself, the demand for it became +enormous, and, as time advanced, people began +prescribing it for themselves, until its use both as +medicine and beverage became almost general.</p> + +<p>If the medical profession is responsible for the +wide-spread belief that alcoholics are of service to +mankind both as food and medicine, it should not +be forgotten that it is to members of the same +profession the world is indebted for the correction +of these errors. All down through the centuries +there have been physicians who doubted and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_11" id="Page_11">[Pg 11]</a></span>opposed its claims to merit. It remained for the +medical science of the latter half of the nineteenth +century to clearly demonstrate with nicely adjusted +chemical apparatus and appliances the wisdom of +these doubts.</p> + +<p>The scientific study of the effects of alcohol upon +the human body began about sixty years ago. The +first American investigator was Dr. Nathan S. Davis, +of Chicago, who was the founder of the American +Medical Association. During the months of May, +June, July, September and October, 1848, Dr. Davis +published in the <i>Annalist</i>, a monthly medical journal +of New York City, a series of articles controverting +the universal opinion that alcoholic drinks are warming, +strengthening and nourishing. In 1850 he executed +an extensive series of experiments to determine +the effects of a diet exclusively carbonaceous (starch), +one exclusively nitrogenous (albumen), and alcohol +(brandy and wine), on the temperature of the living +body; on the quantity of carbonic acid exhaled; and +on the circulation of the blood. The results of these +investigations were embodied in a paper read before +the American Medical Association in May, 1851. +They showed that alcohol, instead of increasing +animal heat, and promoting nutrition and strength, +actually produced directly opposite effects, reducing +temperature, the amount of carbonic acid +exhaled, and the muscular strength. So opposed +were these conclusions to the generally accepted +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_12" id="Page_12">[Pg 12]</a></span>teachings of the day that the Association did not +refer the paper to the committee of publication. +It was published later in the <i>Northwestern Medical +and Surgical Journal</i>.</p> + +<p>In 1854 Dr. Davis published one of the most +remarkable of the numerous works which have come +from his prolific pen; it was entitled, “A Lecture +on the Effects of Alcoholic Drinks on the Human +System, and the Duty of Medical Men in Relation +Thereto.” This lecture was delivered in Rush Medical +College, Chicago, on Christmas, 1854. An +appendix to the work contained a full account of +the series of original experiments which the author +had been conducting in relation to the effect of +alcohol upon respiration and animal heat, and gave +the same conclusions as those presented before +the A. M. A. several years previously. These +experiments laid the foundation for the scientific +study of the physiological effects of alcohol; and +their bearing upon the study of the temperance +question can even yet scarcely be appreciated. +They were the first experiments which showed +conclusively that the effect of alcohol is not that of +a stimulant, but the opposite.</p> + +<p>In 1855 Prof. R. D. Mussey, of Vermont, read an +able paper before the American Medical Association +upon “The Effects of Alcohol in Health +and Disease," in which he said, “So long as +alcohol retains its place among sick patients, so +long will there be drunkards.”<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[Pg 13]</a></span></p> + +<p>In England as early as 1802, Dr. Beddoes pointed +out the dangers attendant upon the social and +medical use of intoxicating drinks, laying stress +upon “The enfeebling power of small portions of +wine regularly drunk.” In 1829 Dr. John Cheyne, +Physician General to the forces in Ireland said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The benefits which have been supposed from their liberal +use in medicine, and especially in those diseases which are +vulgarly supposed to depend upon mere weakness, have +invested these agents with attributes to which they have no +claim, and hence, as we physicians no longer employ them as +we were wont to do, we ought not to rest satisfied with the +mere acknowledgment of error, but we ought also to make +every retribution in our power for having so long upheld one of +the most fatal delusions that ever took possession of the human +mind.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Higginbotham, F. R. S., of Nottingham, a +keen and able clinical practitioner, abandoned the +prescription of alcohol in 1832, saying:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I have amply tried both ways. I gave alcohol in my practice +for twenty years, and have now practiced without it for the +last thirty years or more. My experience is, that acute disease +is more readily cured without it, and chronic diseases much +more manageable. I have not found a single patient injured +by the disuse of alcohol, or a constitution requiring it; indeed, +to find either, although I am in my seventy-seventh year, I would +walk fifty miles to see such an unnatural phenomenon. If I +ordered or allowed alcohol in any form, either as food or as +medicine, to a patient, I should certainly do it with a felonious +intent.”—<i>Ipswich Tracts. No. 346.</i></p></div> + +<p>In 1839 Dr. Julius Jeffreys drew up a medical +declaration which was signed by seventy-eight +leaders of medicine and surgery. This document +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[Pg 14]</a></span>declared the opinion to be erroneous that wine, +beer or spirit was beneficial to health; that even in +the most moderate doses, alcoholic drinks did no +good. This, of course, dealt only with the beverage +use of alcoholics. In 1847 a second declaration +was originated, signed by over two thousand of the +most eminent physicians and surgeons. This also +referred only to liquor as a beverage. In 1871 a +third declaration, signed by two hundred and sixty-nine +of the leading members of the medical profession +was published in the London <i>Times</i>.</p> + +<p>This declaration was in part as follows:--</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“As it is believed that the inconsiderate prescription of large +quantities of alcoholic liquids by medical men for their patients +has given rise, in many instances, to the formation of intemperate +habits, the undersigned, while unable to abandon the use +of alcohol in the treatment of certain cases of disease, are yet +of opinion that no medical practitioner should prescribe it without +a sense of grave responsibility.</p> + +<p>“They are also of opinion that many people immensely +exaggerate the value of alcohol as an article of diet, and they +hold that every medical practitioner is bound to exert his +utmost influence to inculcate habits of great moderation in the +use of alcoholic liquids.”</p></div> + +<p>In the same year the American Medical Association +passed a resolution that “alcohol should be +classed with other powerful drugs, and when prescribed +medically, it should be done with conscientious +caution, and a sense of great responsibility.”</p> + +<p>The physicians of New York, Brooklyn and +vicinity not long afterward published a declaration +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[Pg 15]</a></span>practically the same as that of the A. M. A., adding: +“We are of opinion that the use of alcoholic +liquor as a beverage is productive of a large +amount of physical disease.”</p> + +<p>The publication of these later declarations was +the beginning of a marked change in the medical +use of alcohol.</p> + +<p>In England the scientific temperance movement +began with Dr. B. W. Richardson, afterwards +knighted by Queen Victoria for his great services +to humanity as a medical philanthropist. Dr. +Richardson’s success in bringing before physicians +the remarkable medicinal agent known as nitrite of +amyl, led to a request from the British Association +for the Advancement of Science that he investigate +other chemical substances. The result was that +several years of study, beginning with 1863, were +given to the physiological effects of various alcohols, +ethylic alcohol, which is the active principle in +wines, beers and other intoxicating drinks, receiving +special attention.</p> + +<p>The following is taken from his “Results of +Researches on Alcohol”:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In my hands ethylic alcohol and other bodies of the same +group; viz. methylic, propylic, butylic, and amylic alcohols +were tested purely from the physiological point of view. They +were tested exclusively as chemical substances apart from any +question as to their general use and employment, and free +from all bias for or against their influence on mankind for +good or for evil.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[Pg 16]</a></span></p> + +<p>“The method of research that was pursued was the same +that had been followed in respect to nitrite of amyl, chloroform, +ether, and other chemical substances, and it was in the following +order: First, the mode in which living bodies would take +up or absorb the substance was considered. This settled, the +quantity necessary to produce a decided physiological change +was ascertained, and was estimated in relation to the weight of +the living body on which the observation was made. After +these facts were ascertained the special action of the agent was +investigated on the blood, on the motion of the heart, on the +respiration, on the minute circulation of the blood, on the +digestive organs, on the secreting and excreting organs, on the +nervous system and brain, on the animal temperature and on +the muscular activity. By these processes of inquiry, each +specially carried out, I was enabled to test fairly the action of +the different chemical agents that came before me. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“The results of these researches were that I learned purely +by experimental observation that, in its action on the living +body, alcohol deranges the constitution of the blood; unduly +excites the heart and respiration; paralyzes the minute blood-vessels; +disturbs the regularity of nervous action; lowers the +animal temperature, and lessens the muscular power.</p> + +<p>“Such, independent of any prejudice of party or influence +of sentiment, are the unanswerable teachings of the sternest of +all evidences, the evidences of experiment, of natural fact +revealed to man by testing of natural phenomena.”</p></div> + +<p>When Dr. Richardson reported to the Association +for the Advancement of Science the results of his +researches so at variance with commonly accepted +ideas, the Association was as incredulous as the +American Medical Association had been in 1851 +when Dr. Davis gave a similar report, and Dr. Richardson’s +paper was returned to him for correction.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[Pg 17]</a></span></p> + +<p>It should be stated here that Dr. Richardson +was not a total abstainer when he began his study +of the effects of alcohol, but became an ardent +and enthusiastic advocate of total abstinence, and +later of non-alcoholic medication, because of what he +learned by his experiments with this drug. He +was the first to suggest that scientific temperance +be taught in the public schools, and he prepared the +first text-book ever published for this purpose. In +1874 he delivered his famous “Cantor Lectures on +Alcohol,” by request of the Society of Arts. This +series of lectures created a sensation, being attended +by crowds of people, as it was the first time that any +physician of eminence had spoken from experimental +evidence in favor of total abstinence.</p> + +<p>The agitation begotten in medical circles by the +discussion of Dr. Richardson’s researches upon +alcohol led to extensive experimenting upon the +same line by scientists of England, Continental +Europe and America. The efforts of the National +Woman’s Christian Temperance Union of the +United States, led by that intrepid woman, Mrs. +Mary H. Hunt, to introduce scientific temperance +instruction into public schools gave impetus to the +study in this country. The call for text-books +caused publishers to request professors in medical +colleges to make minute research into the nature +and effects of alcohol, that the demands of the new +educational law might be met. The bitter opposition +to these temperance education laws was a great +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[Pg 18]</a></span>stimulant to the scientific study of alcohol, for it was +hoped by many that the teachings regarding the +deleterious effects of alcohol might be proved incorrect. +Unfortunately for the lovers of the bibulous, +the proof was all the other way; great medical men +could not be <i>bought</i> by distillers or brewers to tell +anything but the truth, and the truth of experimental +research was all against alcohol. The text-books endorsed +by Mrs. Hunt and her advisory committee +being assailed again and again as containing erroneous +teaching, were finally, in 1897, submitted to an +examining committee of medical experts, nearly all of +whom were connected with medical colleges. This +committee consisted of Dr. N. S. Davis, Sr., of Chicago, +Ill.; Dr. Leartus Connor, of Detroit, Michigan; +Dr. Henry Q. Marcy, of Boston, Mass.; Dr. E. E. +Montgomery, of Philadelphia, Pa.; Dr. Henry D. +Holton, of Brattleboro, Vt.; and Dr. George F. +Shrady, of New York City. From their reports +upon the books the following is culled:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I find no errors in the teaching of any of them on this +subject.”</p> + +<p>“No statement was found at variance with the most reliable +studies of especially competent investigators.”</p> + +<p>“I was asked to point out any errors in these books which +need correcting. I find no such errors.”</p> + +<p>“I find their teaching completely in accordance with the +facts determined through scientific experimentation and investigation.”</p> + +<p>“I find them to be in substantial accord with the results of +the latest scientific investigations.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[Pg 19]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Baer, of Berlin, Germany, the foremost European +specialist on the subject treated in these text-books, +has recently subjected the books to rigid +examination. He says in his report upon them:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“On the basis of the examination I have made I can assert +that the above mentioned school text-books, (the endorsed +physiologies), in respect to their statements regarding alcoholic +drinks contain no teachings which are not in harmony with the +attitude of strict science.”</p></div> + +<p>Still the opposers of the text-books were not satisfied, +and a self constituted Committee of Fifty undertook +an investigation. Men of unquestioned ability +were chosen to make researches, but the result of their +investigations was so different from what was looked +for, that, with the exception of Professor Atwater’s +contention for the food value of alcohol, the report +of the Committee of Fifty did not stir up much controversy.</p> + +<p>The school text-books deal exclusively with the +effects of alcohol used as a beverage; for obvious +reasons this is all they can do. But as intoxicating +drinks have been generally supposed to contain +great virtue as remedial agents, this phase of their +nature and effects has not been overlooked by those +pursuing inquiries concerning them. While full +agreement has not yet been reached by experts as +to the value of alcoholic liquids as medicines, it is +noteworthy that some of the most eminent investigators +were led to drop alcohol from their pharma<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[Pg 20]</a></span>ceutical +outfit, and the remainder to admit that its +sphere of usefulness is extremely limited.</p> + +<p>There are now medical colleges of high standing +where students are advised against the use of alcohol +as a remedy; hospitals are gradually using it +less and less, some entirely discarding it; and many +progressive physicians, while saying nothing as to +their position upon the alcohol question, yet show +their lack of faith in this drug by ignoring it unless +patients or their friends desire it.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[Pg 21]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_II" id="CHAPTER_II"></a>CHAPTER II.</h2> + +<h3>THE <a name="Page_21t" id="Page_21t"></a><a href="#Page_21tn">WOMAN’S</a> CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION IN +OPPOSITION TO ALCOHOL AS MEDICINE.</h3> + + +<p>When the W. C. T. U. was first organized there +was no thought among its members of antagonizing +the use of alcohol in medicine. One almost immediate +result of the organization, however, was +that the women began to study the causes of inebriety, +and prominent among the prevailing influences +leading to drunkenness they found the medical +use of alcoholics. The early efforts of these women +were chiefly in rescue work through Gospel temperance +meetings, and visitations of jails and poor-houses. +By reason of this contact with the effects +of inebriety they learned many sad tales of ruined +lives, blighted homes and lost souls, through the +appetite for strong drink created, or aroused, by +alcoholic prescription. They saw, as time passed, +that some of the drunkards reclaimed through their +influence lapsed again into their evil habits because +a little beer, or wine, “for the stomach’s sake,” or +some other sake, had been advised them. Some of +the workers had this trouble in their own homes, +husband, son or other relative enslaved to alcohol +through prescription in disease. Is it any wonder +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[Pg 22]</a></span>that women of the spirit of the Crusaders, having +once had their attention thoroughly aroused to the +danger of alcohol in medicine, should begin to examine +this stronghold of the enemy to discover, if +possible, whether or not, his fortress, the medicine-chest, +was impregnable? Greatly to their joy they +found that the medical profession was not a unit in +commending alcoholics as remedial agencies, that +all along since alcohol came into common use there +have been physicians who distrusted, and opposed +it. They learned, too, that some of the most distinguished +physicians of America and of England +were using little or no alcohol in their practice, and +that a hospital had been established in London, +England, which was clearly demonstrating the superiority +of non-alcoholic medication by its small +death-rate in comparison with hospitals using alcohol.</p> + +<p>This knowledge encouraged those possessing it so +that they began to refuse alcoholics as remedies in +their own households, and rarely did they find +physicians unwilling or unable to supply another +agent when asked to do so, and thousands of women +can now testify to the fact of having recovered from +ill health without the wine, beer or brandy they +were advised to take. So the W. C. T. U. discovered +several good reasons for opposing alcohol in medicine.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>1. Its liability to create or revive an uncontrollable appetite.</p> + +<p>2. A considerable number of the leading physicians of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[Pg 23]</a></span>America and of Great Britain discard it from their list of +remedies, considering it harmful rather than helpful.</p> + +<p>3. The lessened mortality consequent upon its entire disuse +demonstrated by the London Temperance Hospital.</p> + +<p>4. By their own experience they knew that alcohol is not +necessary to the restoration of health, nor to the upbuilding of +strength.</p></div> + +<p>The first active work touching the medical use of +alcohol was a memorial from the National W. C. T. U. +to the International Medical Congress of 1876, +which met in Washington, D. C. This memorial +was suggested by Miss Frances E. Willard, and co-operated +in by the National Temperance Society. +It asked for a deliverance from the Congress upon +alcohol as a food and as a medicine.</p> + +<p>The Congress was divided into sections for the +more thorough discussion of the various topics. +Upon the program was a paper on “The Therapeutic +Value of Alcohol as Food, and as a Medicine,” +by Ezra M. Hunt, M. D., delegate from the New +Jersey Medical Society. This paper was read before +the “Section on Medicine,” and, after earnest discussion, +the conclusions of the author were adopted +“quite unanimously” as the sentiments of the Section +on Medicine. As such they were reported for +acceptance to the General Congress, and by it +ordered to be transmitted as a reply to the memorialists.</p> + +<p>The report was published in full by the National +Temperance Society, and may be obtained from it +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[Pg 24]</a></span>in paper binding for twenty-five cents. As it makes +a book of 137 pages the conclusions only will be +quoted here. They are as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>1. “Alcohol is not shown to have a definite food value by any +of the usual methods of chemical analysis or physiological investigation.</p> + +<p>2. “Its use as a medicine is chiefly that of a cardiac stimulant, +and often admits of substitution.</p> + +<p>3. “As a medicine it is not well fitted for self-prescription by +the laity, and the medical profession is not accountable for such +administration, or for the enormous evil arising therefrom.</p> + +<p>4. “The purity of alcoholic liquors is in general not as well +assured as that of articles used for medicine should be. The +various mixtures when used as medicine should have definite +and known composition, and should not be interchanged promiscuously.”</p></div> + +<p>It is matter for sincere regret that this deliverance +was not, in some way, brought prominently before +every physician in the land. There are, doubtless, +thousands of physicians who never heard of it, and, +consequently have never been influenced by it to +doubt the utility of the popular brandy bottle.</p> + +<p>In 1883 Mrs. Mary Towne Burt, President of +New York State W. C. T. U., in her annual address, +suggested that a department of work be created to +endeavor to induce physicians to not prescribe +alcohol, unless in such cases as allowed of the use of +no other agent. Mrs. (Rev.) J. Butler, of Fairport, +was the first superintendent of this department, +which was named, “Influencing Physicians to not +Prescribe Alcoholics as Medicines.” The National W.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[Pg 25]</a></span> +C. T. U. adopted the department in 1883, but soon +dropped it. In 1895 it was reinstated and Mrs. Martha +M. Allen, New York’s superintendent, was made +national superintendent. In 1905 the name of the +department was changed from Non-Alcoholic Medication, +which it had borne for fifteen years, to Medical +Temperance.</p> + +<p>The objects of this department of work are:</p> + +<p>1. To inform the public of the objections to the +medical use of alcoholic drinks now held by many successful +physicians.</p> + +<p>2. To show the dangers in the home-prescription of +alcohol and other powerful drugs.</p> + +<p>3. To expose fraudulent and dangerous proprietary +and “patent” medicines and liquid “foods,” the main +ingredients of which are alcohol and morphine.</p> + +<p>4. To use persuasion with publishers of newspapers +and magazines against fraudulent medical advertising. +Also to seek legislation which shall hinder such +advertising.</p> + +<p>5. To endeavor to win the attention of physicians +who prescribe alcoholic liquors to the teachings of +great leaders in their profession who have abandoned +such practice.</p> + +<p>6. To bring to the attention of nurses the same +teachings, and to seek their co-operation in education +against the self-prescription of alcohol.</p> + +<p>7. To work for legislation which shall correct the +evils of the whisky drug-store, the whisky-prescribing +doctor, and the dangerous “patent” medicine.</p> + +<p>8. To gather the opinions upon alcohol of well-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[Pg 26]</a></span>known +physicians who do not use it, and publish them.</p> + +<p>This department originated the public agitation +against injurious and fraudulent “patent” medicines +which later was so ably carried on by <i>Collier’s Weekly</i>, +and the <i>Ladies’ Home Journal</i>. That its early work +in this direction was not better known to the general +public was due to the fact that religious as well as +secular papers were reaping large revenues from the +advertising of these nostrums, and consequently refused +to publish anything which might injure the +trade. Indeed, in accepting some of this advertising, +newspaper managers had to sign a contract that they +would not publish any reading matter opposed to the +nostrum business.</p> + +<p>The <i>Christian Advocate</i> of New York city deserves +special mention for having published in 1898 two articles +written by Mrs. Allen under the caption, “The +Danger and Harmfulness of Patent Medicines.” +These were in the fall of that year published in +pamphlet form, and a copy sent to every local W. C. +T. U. in the United States for study. Tens of thousands +of copies of this and other leaflets on that theme +were distributed within a few years, some local unions +placing them in every home in their community. Medical +journals took note of this work and commended it +highly. When Mr. Bok began his campaign of education +in the <i>Ladies’ Home Journal</i>, for which he deserves +lasting gratitude, the <i>American Druggist</i> said he +was “bowing to the clamor of the W. C. T. U.”</p> + +<p>This department which began in weakness, and was +for years regarded as fanatical even by many mem<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[Pg 27]</a></span>bers +of the W. C. T. U. has entered upon an era of +victories. The National Pure Food Law requires the +percentage of alcohol in patent medicines, and the presence +of different dangerous drugs, to be stated upon +the label. The prohibition law of Georgia forbids +physicians to prescribe alcoholic beverages, absolute +alcohol only being permitted. Kansas has amended her +law so that whisky drug-stores are eliminated. If +physicians prescribe alcohol the law forbids charge +for it. Alabama forbids the sale of liquor for everything +but the communion. The Internal Revenue Department +has examined a large number of “patent” +medicines and has listed them as intoxicating beverages. +Two state medical societies and some county +societies in 1908 passed resolutions to discourage the +medical use of alcoholic liquors. Two national societies +of druggists and pharmacists in 1908 passed resolutions +against whiskey drug-stores.</p> + +<p>These are some of the results of Medical Temperance +agitation. Much more may be expected in the +next decade if the work is as faithfully and fearlessly +carried on as in the past.</p> + +<p>This book contains much of the teachings of the department +of Medical Temperance. When these views +are generally accepted the liquor-problem will be well-nigh +solved.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[Pg 28]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_III" id="CHAPTER_III"></a>CHAPTER III.</h2> + +<h3>ALCOHOL AS A PRODUCER OF DISEASE.</h3> + + +<p>That alcohol is a poison is attested by all +chemists and other scientific men; taken undiluted +it destroys the vitality of the tissues of the body +with which it comes in contact as readily as creosote, +or pure carbolic acid. The term <i>intoxicating</i> +applied to beverages containing it refers to its +poisonous nature, the word being derived from the +Greek <i>toxicon</i>, which signifies a <i>bow</i> or an <i>arrow</i>; +the barbarians poisoned their arrows, hence, <i>toxicum</i> +in Latin was used to signify poison; from this +comes the English term <i>toxicology</i>, which is the +science treating of <i>poisons</i>. Druggists in selling +proof spirits usually label the bottle, “Poison.” +Apart from the testimony of science in regard to +its poisonous nature, it is commonly known that +large doses of brandy or whisky will speedily cause +death, particularly in those unaccustomed to their +use. The newspapers frequently contain items +regarding the death of children who have had +access to whisky, and drunk freely of it. Cases +are reported, too, of men, habituated to drink, +who after tossing off several glasses of brandy at +the bar of a saloon have suddenly dropped dead.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[Pg 29]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Mussey says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A poison is that substance, in whatever form it may be, +which, when applied to a living surface, disconcerts and disturbs +life’s healthy movements. It is altogether distinct from +substances which are in their nature nutritious. It is not +capable of being converted into food, and becoming a part of +the living organs. We all know that proper food is wrought +into our bodies; the action of animal life occasions a constant +waste, and new matter has to be taken in, which, after digestion, +is carried into the blood, and then changed; but poison is +incapable of this. It may indeed be mixed with nutritious substances, +but if it goes into the blood, it is thrown off as soon as +the system can accomplish its deliverance, if it has not been +too far enfeebled by the influence of the poison. Such a poison +is alcohol—such in all its forms mix it with what you may.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Nathan S. Davis said in an address given in +1891:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“When largely diluted with water, as it is in all the varieties +of fermented and distilled liquids, and taken into the stomach, +it is rapidly imbibed, or taken up by the capillary vessels and +carried into the venous blood, without having undergone any +digestion or change in the stomach. With the blood it is +carried to every part, and made to penetrate every tissue of the +living body, where it has been detected by proper chemical +tests as unchanged alcohol, until it has been removed through +the natural process of elimination, or lost its identity by +molecular combination with the albuminous elements of the +blood and tissues, for which it has a strong affinity.</p> + +<p>“The most varied and painstaking experiments of chemists +and physiologists, both in this country and Europe, have shown +conclusively that the presence of alcohol in the blood diminishes +the amount of oxygen taken up through the air-cells of +the lungs; retards the molecular and metabolic changes of both +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[Pg 30]</a></span>nutrition and waste throughout the system and diminishes the +sensibility and action of the nervous structures in direct proportion +to the quantity of alcohol present. By its stronger affinity +for water and albumen, with which it readily unites in all proportions, +it so alters the hemaglobin of the blood as to lessen +its power to take the oxygen from the air-cells of the lungs and +carry it as oxyhemaglobia to all the tissues of the body; and by +the same affinity it retards all atomic or molecular changes in +the muscular, secretory and nervous structures; and in the +same ratio it diminishes the elimination of carbon-dioxide, phosphates, +heat and nerve force. In other words, its presence +diminishes all the physical phenomena of life.</p> + +<p>“I say, then, that from the facts hitherto adduced, whether +from accurate experimental investigations in different countries, +from the pathological results developed in the most scientific +societies, from the most reliable statistics of sickness and mortality, +as influenced by occupations and social habits, or from +the life insurance records kept on a uniform basis through +periods of ten, twenty, thirty or even forty years, it is clearly +shown that alcohol when taken into the human system not +only acts upon the nervous system, perverting its sensibility, +and, if increased in quantity, causing intoxication or insensibility, +but it also, <i>even in small quantities</i>, lessens the oxygenation +and decarbonization of the blood and retards the molecular +changes in the structures of the body. When these effects are +continued through months and years, as in the most temperate +class of drinkers, <i>they lead to permanent structural changes, +most prominently in the liver, kidneys, stomach, heart, blood-vessels +and nerve structures, and lessen the natural duration +of life in the aggregate from ten to fifteen years</i>. Consequently +there is no greater, nor more destructive error existing +in the public mind than the belief that the use of fermented +and distilled drinks does no harm so long as they do not intoxicate.</p> + +<p>“Another popular error is the opinion that the substitution +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[Pg 31]</a></span>of the different varieties of beer and wine in the place of distilled +liquors promotes temperance, and lessens the evil effects +of alcohol on the health and morals of those who use them. +Accurate investigations show that beer and wine drinkers generally +consume more alcohol per man than the spirit drinkers; +and while they are not as often intoxicated, they suffer fully as +much from diseases and premature death as do those who use +distilled spirits. Again, the beer drinker drinks more nearly +every day, and thereby keeps some alcohol in his blood more +constantly; while a large percentage of spirit drinkers drink +only periodically, leaving considerable intervals of abstinence, +during which the tissues regain nearly their natural condition. +The more constant and persistent is the presence of alcohol +in the blood and the tissues, even in moderate quantity, the +more certainly does it lead to perverted and degenerative changes +in the tissues, <i>ending in renal </i>(kidney)<i> and hepatic </i>(liver)<i> +dropsies, cardiac </i>(heart)<i> failures, gout, apoplexy and paralysis</i>.”</p></div> + +<p>Sir B. W. Richardson says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Alcohol produces many diseases; and it constantly happens +that persons die of diseases which have their origin solely +in the drinking of alcohol, while the cause itself is never for a +moment suspected. A man may say quite truthfully that he +never was tipsy in the whole course of his life; and yet it is +quite possible that such a man may die of disease caused by +the alcohol he has taken, and by no other cause whatever. +This is one of the most dreadful evils of alcohol, that it kills +insidiously, as if it were doing no harm, or as if it were doing +good, while it is destroying life. Another great evil of it is +that it assails so many different parts of the body. It hardly +seems credible at first sight that the same agent can give rise to +the many different kinds of diseases it does give rise to. In +fact, the universality of its action has blinded even learned men +as to its potency for destruction.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[Pg 32]</a></span></p> +<p>“Step by step, however, we have now discovered that its +modes of action are all very simple, and are all the same in +character; and that the differences that have been and are seen +in different persons under its influence are due mainly to the +organs, or organ, which first give way under it. Thus, if the +stomach gives way first, we say that the person has indigestion +or dyspepsia, or failure of the stomach; if the brain gives way +first, we say the person has paralysis, or apoplexy, or brain disease; +if the liver gives way first, we say the man has liver disease, +and so on.</p> + +<p>“All persons who indulge much in any form of alcoholic +drink are troubled with indigestion. When they wake in the +morning they find their mouth dry, their tongue coated, and +their appetite bad. In course of time they become confirmed +‘dyspeptics,’ and as many of them find a temporary relief from +the distress at the stomach, and the deficient appetite from +which they suffer by taking more liquor, they increase the quantity +taken, and so make matters much worse. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“There are a great number of diseases caused by alcohol, +some of which are known by terms that do not convey to the +mind what really has been the cause of the diseases.” They are:</p></div> + +<p>(<i>a</i>) Diseases of the brain and nervous system: +indicated by such names as apoplexy, epilepsy, paralysis, +vertigo, softening of the brain, delirium tremens, +loss of memory and that general failure of the +mental power called dementia. (<i>b</i>) Diseases of the +lungs: one form of consumption, congestion and +subsequent bronchitis. (<i>c</i>) Diseases of the heart: +irregular beat, feebleness of the muscular walls, dilation, +disease of the valves. (<i>d</i>) Diseases of the blood: +scurvy, dropsy, separation of fibrine. (<i>e</i>) Diseases +of the stomach: feebleness of the stomach and indi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[Pg 33]</a></span>gestion, +flatulency, irritation and sometimes inflammation. +(<i>f</i>) Diseases of the bowels: relaxation or +purging, irritation. (<i>g</i>) Diseases of the liver: congestion, +hardening and shrinking cirrhosis. (<i>h</i>) +Diseases of the kidneys: change of structure into +fatty or waxy-like condition and other changes leading +to dropsy. (<i>i</i>) Diseases of the muscles: fatty +changes in the muscles, by which they lose their +power for proper active contraction. (<i>j</i>) Diseases +of the membranes of the body: thickening and loss +of elasticity, by which the parts wrapped up in the +membrane are impaired for use, and premature +decay is induced.</p> + +<p>But it constantly happens that when deaths from +these diseases are recorded and alcohol has been +the primary cause, some other cause is believed to +have been at work.</p> + +<p>While drinking parents by virtue of a strong constitution +sometimes escape the penalty of their +bibulous habit, it is not uncommon to see their +children suffering from some disease or nervous +weakness such as is caused by alcohol, “the sins of +the father being visited upon the children.”</p> + +<p>Erasmus Darwin says upon this point:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It is remarkable that all the diseases from drinking spirituous +or fermented liquors are liable to become hereditary, even +to the third generation, gradually increasing, if the cause be +continued, till the family become extinct.”</p></div> + +<p>Prof. Christison, of Edinburgh, in answer to in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[Pg 34]</a></span>quiries +from the Massachusetts State Board of +Health, says of general diseases due to alcohol:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I recognize certain diseases which originate in the vice of +drunkenness alone, which are <i>delirium tremens</i>, cirrhosis of the +liver, many cases of Bright’s disease of the kidneys, and dipsomania, +or insane drunkenness.</p> + +<p>“Then I recognize many other diseases in regard to which +excess in alcoholics acts as a powerful predisposing cause, such +as gout, gravel, aneurism, paralysis, apoplexy, epilepsy, cystitis, +premature incontinence of urine, erysipelas, spreading cellular +inflammation, tendency of wounds and sores to gangrene, inability +of the constitution to resist the attacks of epidemics. I +have had a fearful amount of experience of continued fever in +our infirmary during many epidemics, and in all my experience +I have only once known an intemperate man of forty and upwards +to recover.”</p></div> + +<p>Professor Christison also claims that three-fourths, +or even four-fifths, of Bright’s disease in Scotland is +produced by alcohol.</p> + +<p>Dr. C. Murchison, in speaking of alcohol as a preventive +of disease, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is no greater error than to imagine that a liberal +allowance of alcoholic liquids fortifies the system against contagious +diseases.”</p></div> + +<p>In a paper read before the Royal Medical and +Chirurgical Society, Oct. 22, 1872, Dr. W. Dickinson +gave the following conclusions:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Alcohol causes fatty infiltration and fibrous encroachments; +it engenders tubercles; encourages suppuration, and retards +healing; it produces untimely atheroma (a form of fatty degeneration +of the inner coats of the arteries), invites hemorrhage, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[Pg 35]</a></span>and anticipates old age. The most constant fatty changes, replacement +by oil of the material of epithelial cells and muscular +fibres, though probably nearly universal, is most noticeable in +the liver, the heart and the kidneys. <i>Drink causes tuberculosis</i>, +which is evident not only in the lungs, but in every amenable organ.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. William Hargreaves says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Brandy is not a prophylactic. To the temperate it is an +active, exciting cause. It is well known that a single act of +intemperance during the prevalence of cholera, will often produce +a fatal attack. The sense of warmth and irritation +(called stimulation) produced by alcoholic liquors, has led to +the erroneous notion that they may prevent cholera. But the +contrary we have seen is the truth, for the effects of alcoholics +are to reduce the temperature of the body, and instead of +stimulating, they narcotize, and reduce the life-forces, and +predispose the system to all kinds of disease.”</p></div> + +<p>The following testimonies are culled from the +writings of eminent physicians:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Sir Andrew Clark, M. D., F. R. C. P., London, Physician in +Ordinary to the Queen, Senior Physician at the London +Hospital: “As I looked at the hospital wards to-day, and +saw that seven out of ten owed their diseases to alcohol, I +could but lament that the teaching about this question is not +more direct, more decisive and more home-thrusting. * * * * * +Can I say to you any words stronger than these of the terrible +effects of alcohol? When I think of this I am disposed to +give up my profession, and go forth upon a holy crusade, +preaching to all men—<i>Beware of this enemy of the race.</i>”</p> + +<p>Sir William Gull, F. R. S. (late Physician to her Majesty): +“I should say, from my experience, that alcohol is the most +destructive agent that we are aware of in this country. I +would like to say that a very large number of people in society +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[Pg 36]</a></span>are dying day by day, poisoned by alcohol, but not supposed to +be poisoned by it.”</p> + +<p>Dr. Abernethy: “If people will leave off drinking alcohol, +live plainly, and take very little medicine they will find that +many disorders will be relieved by this treatment alone.”</p> + +<p>Dr. Forel, of the University of Zurich, Switzerland: “Life +is considerably shortened by the use of alcohol in large quantities. +But a moderate consumption of the same also shortens +life by an average of five to six years. This is consistently and +unequivocally seen in the statistics kept for thirty years by +English insurance companies, with special sections for abstainers. +They give a large discount, and still make more +profit, as not nearly so many deaths occur as might be expected +under the usual calculations. According to federal statistics in +the fifteen largest towns of Switzerland, over ten per cent. of +the men over twenty years of age die solely, or partly of alcoholism.”</p> + +<p>Dr. J. H. Kellogg, Battle Creek, Mich.: “Every organ feels +the effect of the abuse through indulgence in alcohol, and no +function is left undisturbed. By degrees, disordered function, +through long continuance of the disturbance, induces tissue +change. The most common form of organic or structural +disease due to alcohol is fatty degeneration, which may effect +almost every organ in the body. * * * * * No class of persons +are so subject to nervous diseases due to degeneration of +nerves and nerve-centres as drinkers. Partial or general +paralysis, locomotor ataxia, epilepsy and a host of other nervous +disorders, are directly traceable to the use of alcohol.”</p></div> + +<p>One of the visiting physicians of Bellevue Hospital, +New York, states that at least two-thirds of +all the diseases treated there originated in drink.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Dr. W. A. Hammond: “It is of all causes most prolific in +exciting derangements of the brain, the spinal cord, and the +nerves.”</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[Pg 37]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IV" id="CHAPTER_IV"></a>CHAPTER IV.</h2> + +<h3>TEMPERANCE HOSPITALS.</h3> + + +<h4>THE LONDON TEMPERANCE HOSPITAL.</h4> + +<p>In 1865 Dr. S. Nicholls, medical officer of the +Longford Poor-law Union, published a report of +the results of non-alcoholic treatment of disease as +practiced by him for sixteen years in the institutions +under his control. The figures for 1865 were:—</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" summary="Dr. S. Nicholls' treatment results" style="width: 50%;"> + <tr> + <th> </th> + + <th class="tdr">ADMITTED.</th> + <th class="tdr">RECOVERED.</th> + <th class="tdrp">DIED.</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Fever,</td> + <td class="tdrp">142</td> + + <td class="tdrp">135</td> + <td class="tdrp">7</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Scarlatina,</td> + <td class="tdrp">33</td> + <td class="tdrp">30</td> + + <td class="tdrp">3</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Small-pox,</td> + <td class="tdrp">48</td> + <td class="tdrp">47</td> + <td class="tdrp">1</td> + + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlt">Measles,</td> + <td class="tdrp">8<br />——</td> + <td class="tdrp">8<br />——</td> + <td class="tdrp">0<br />——</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td> </td> + <td class="tdrp">231</td> + <td class="tdrp">220</td> + <td class="tdrp">11</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p><i>The treatment was altogether without wines, +spirits or alcohol in any form.</i></p> + +<p>The death-rate reported by Dr. Nicholls was so +small that some of the more observing and progressive +physicians were led by it to begin similar +experiments in the disuse of alcohol in other hospitals. +Among these was Dr. James Edmunds, senior +physician at the Lying-In Hospital, London. The +experiments continued a year with a reduced death-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[Pg 38]</a></span>rate +among both mothers and children. But the +great brewers of London, who contributed largely +to the support of this hospital raised such a storm +of opposition to the discontinuance of alcoholic +liquors that the experiments had to be abandoned.</p> + +<p>The establishment of a temperance hospital was +now suggested, and in October, 1873, a temporary +institution was opened in Gower Street, accommodating +only seventeen in-patients at one time. Later +a fine site was secured on Hampstead Road, and in +1881 the east wing and centre were opened by the +Lord Mayor of London. In 1885 the west wing +was finished, and the opening ceremonies conducted +by the Bishop of London.</p> + +<p>At the time of the launching of this enterprise, +wine and spirits were literally “poured into” sick +persons, with frightful results. Death-rates were +enormous. The success of the Temperance Hospital +has no doubt had much to do in modifying this +abuse. Its death-rate, on an average, has been only +6 per cent. throughout the years since its beginning. +This is lower than that of any other general hospital +in London, and certainly proves conclusively +that alcohol is not necessary in the treatment of +disease. The physicians connected with it have +been men of eminence in the profession, such as +Dr. James Edmunds, Dr. J. J. Ridge and Sir B. +W. Richardson.</p> + +<p>The visiting staff is not compelled to pledge disuse +of alcohol, but is required to report if it is used.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[Pg 39]</a></span> +During all these years it has been given only seventeen +times, then almost entirely in surgical cases, +and in nearly all of these a fatal result proved it to +be useless. The patients who are restored to +health leave without having had aroused or implanted +in them a desire for alcoholic liquors, +neither have they been taught to regard them as +valuable aids to the recovery of health and strength. +On the contrary, there have been many who have +come in, suffering from this delusion, who have had +it thoroughly dispelled, both by their own experience +and the experience of their fellow patients.</p> + +<p>Sir B. W. Richardson took charge of this hospital +from 1892 until his death in 1897. In his report in +1893 he said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I remember quite well when according to custom, I should +have prescribed alcohol in all those cases that were not actually +inflammatory (speaking of diseases of the alimentary system); +but I never remember having seen such quick and sound +recoveries as those which have followed the non-alcoholic +method.”</p></div> + +<p>The following selection showing points of practice +in this hospital is taken from the same report:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“For medicinal purposes, we are as free as possible from all +complexity. We use glycerine for making what may be called +our tinctures, and in my clinique I am introducing a series of +‘waters’—aqua ferri, aqua chloroformi, aqua opii, aqua quinæ, +and so on—to form the menstruums of other active drugs when +they are called for. I also follow the plan of having the medicines +administered with a free quantity of water, and with as +accurate a dosage as can be obtained, for I agree with Mr. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[Pg 40]</a></span>Spender’s original proposition that the administration of medicines +in comparatively small and frequent doses is more +effective and useful than the more common plan of large doses +given at long intervals.</p> + +<p>“I treat many cases by inhalation, and for this end I use +oxygen in a new and, I hope, efficient manner. I make oxygen +gas a medium for carrying other volatile substances that admit +of being inhaled with it. The mode is very simple. * * * * * +In the pneumonic and bronchial cases the treatment has been +of the simple and sustaining kind. The medicines that have +been given during the acute febrile stages have been chiefly +liquor ammoniæ acetatis and carbonate of ammonia in small +and frequently repeated doses. The patients have all been +well and carefully fed on the milk and middle diet until convalescence +was declared. In some of the more extreme instances, +where there was fear of collapse from separation of +fibrine in the heart or pulmonary artery, ammonia has been +given freely according to the method I have for so many years +inculcated. I have also in cases of depression under which +fibrinous separation is so easily developed, lighted on a mode +of administering ammonia which combines feeding with the +medicine. I direct that a three or five-grain tabloid of bicarbonate +of ammonia shall be dissolved in a cup of coffee or +of coffee with milk, and be taken by the patient in that manner. +The coffee can be sweetened with sugar if that is desired +by the patient, and the ammonia can be so administered without +any objectionable taste to the beverage. After what is +called the crisis in acute pneumonia, I administer very little +medicine of any kind; I trust rather to careful feeding with +an occasional alterative or expectorant, as may be required. +* * * * * I am satisfied that no aid I could have derived from +alcoholic stimulants, as they are called, could have bettered my +results. I feel sure any candid medical brother who will have +the steady courage to put aside many old and unproven, though +much-practiced, methods, based only on unquestioning and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[Pg 41]</a></span>unquestioned experience, and to move into these new fields of +observation and experience, will, in the end, find no fault with +me for leaving a track which, though it be beaten very firmly +and be very wide and smooth to traverse, may not, after all, be +the surest and soundest path to the golden gate of cure.”</p></div> + + +<h4>THE FRANCES E. WILLARD NATIONAL TEMPERANCE +HOSPITAL.</h4> + +<p>This hospital is situated at 343-349 South Lincoln +Street, Chicago, in a handsome and well-equipped +building. It is connected with a medical school. The +history of its origin is best told in the words of the +woman to whom the conception of such an institution +first came, Dr. Mary Weeks Burnett, for several years +the physician in charge:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In the fall of 1883 there came to a few of us the thought +that there was a point of weakness in the temperance pledge. +It reads, ‘We promise to abstain from all liquors—<i>as a beverage</i>.’ +We had found in many instances in reform work that +pledging to abstain from liquor ‘as a beverage,’ and leaving +the victim to the unlimited use of it in physicians’ prescriptions, +was simply a skirmish with the devil’s outposts, that the conflict, +based upon these grounds, was short, and defeat almost +sure; and the great fact remained that the innermost recesses +of evil force and power were by this pledge still left unassailed. +We found that this power of evil had largely entered the homes +of our land through the family physicians, and that willingly or +not, the physicians were being used to bring in even our innocent +children as recruits to this unrighteous warfare.</p> + +<p>“Now, how could we hope to eliminate those three little +words ‘as a beverage’ from our pledge?</p> + +<p>“In some way we must bring about an arrest of thought in +the minds of 100,000 men and women physicians whose medi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[Pg 42]</a></span>cal +education warranted them in supposing that they knew that +of alcohol which justified them in its full and free use in medical +practice. Nothing short of a great national object lesson +could ever convict and convert this broad constituency through +which the power of darkness is doing his deadliest work.</p> + +<p>“In January, 1884, four of us met and organized under the +name of the National Temperance Hospital. To have our sick +properly cared for in our hospital we found that we should be +obliged to train our own nurses. The nurse who has always +been accustomed to administering alcohol under the physician’s +prescription at all times and under all circumstances, and to administering +it herself at her own discretion if the physician is +not at hand, is a terror to the temperance physician. So we included +in our charter a Training School for Nurses. It is now +open, and we expect, as the years go by, to send out armed +with our training school diplomas, grand, noble women and +men thoroughly trained in true temperance methods for relieving +the sick.</p> + +<p>“Our organization lived on paper, and was sustained in purpose +by prayer and planning for two years. In September, +1885, Mr. R. G. Peters, of Manistee, Michigan, signified to us +his intention to give $50,000 toward our buildings whenever we +had satisfactorily materialized. About the same time a good +old gentleman in Michigan placed in his will for us $2,500. +The dear man is still living, and we hope will live many years. +Even the money when it comes can never be of greater service +to us than was the knowledge at that time that the Lord was +our leader and was raising up helpers in the work.</p> + +<p>“In January, 1886, we found, according to the law under +which our charter was obtained, that we must commence active +operations at once, or obtain a new charter. After a blessed +season of prayer and counseling together in the board meeting +held January 29, there being present only the members of the +board at that time, Mrs. Plumb offered to advance $3,500, if +necessary, toward the expenses for the first year. We accepted +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[Pg 43]</a></span>it with great thankfulness, rented a building the 15th of March, +1886, and formally opened the National Temperance Hospital on +the 4th of May, 1886.</p> + +<p>“In April, 1886, we took a firm stand upon the alcohol question, +and decided to eliminate it entirely from our list of therapeutics, +as we had become convinced that there were better and +more reliable remedies as stimulants and tonics.</p> + +<p>“In September, 1886, at our annual meeting, we reaffirmed +this decision, and we now have the following as one of the articles +of our constitution: ‘All medicines used in the hospital +must be prepared without alcohol, and all physicians accepting +positions on the medical staff of the hospital or dispensary must +pledge themselves not to administer alcohol in any form to any +patient in hospital or dispensary, nor to call in counsel for such +patients any physician who will advise the use of alcohol.</p> + +<p>“Any physician of pure character, and in good standing, who +is a total abstainer from liquor and tobacco can, by subscribing +to this pledge, become a member of our physicians’ association, +and if so desired, be placed upon the visiting and consulting +staff of the hospital.</p> + +<p>“The cases treated in the hospital include many of the serious +medical and surgical maladies. In no case has any particle +of alcohol been used, and the usual inflammatory secondary +symptoms resulting when alcohol is used have been entirely +avoided.</p> + +<p>“Our course of building-up treatment is, we believe, unique +in hospital practice. It consists of treatment by massage, heat, +rest, passive exercise, etc., together with proper medication and +a thoroughly nutritious diet adapted to the individual needs of +the patient.</p> + +<p>“To alleviate, and, if possible, cure disease, is the design of +all hospital treatment. In our hospital we seek to gain this result +by means which the highest science of the day approves, +and in addition to this we have especially at heart the advance<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[Pg 44]</a></span>ment +of the temperance reform. There are, we believe, thousands +of temperance adherents, who do not yet fully apprehend +the importance of this hospital to the permanent extension and +progress of temperance principles. Although prohibition as a +<i>principle</i> has been accepted by many, yet in its <i>practical application</i> +in the home in serious illness, it is still feared by the immense +majority of even our strongest prohibitionists. We are +organized upon the basis <i>no alcohol in medicine</i>, and we are +preparing to demonstrate fully and scientifically, so he who runs +may read, that as in health, so in disease and accident, alcohol +in any form works to the hindrance and injury of the vital +forces, and prevents the establishment and advancement of +health processes in the system.”</p></div> + +<p>At the opening of the hospital, May 4, 1886, Miss +Frances E. Willard, the president of the National +W. C. T. U., gave the following address:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Nothing is changeless except change. The conservatives of +one epoch are the madmen of the next, even as the radicals of +to-day would have been the lunatics of yesterday. To prove +this, just imagine the founders of this hospital declaring to my +great-grandfather that because he had taken a cold was no reason +why he should take a toddy; and <i>per contra</i>, imagine my +great-grandfather’s doctor marching into our presence here and +now, with saddle-bags on arm, and after treating us each to a +glass of grog for our stomach’s sake, giving us a scientific +disquisition on the sovereign virtues of the blue pill, and informing +us that bleeding, cupping and starvation were the surest +methods of cure!</p> + +<p>“That the story of Evolution is true I am by no means certain, +but that ‘We, Us, and Company,’ are ‘evoluting’ with electric +speed ourselves it is useless to deny. This very hospital +is the latest mile-stone on the highway of progress in the American +temperance reform. The conditions that have made its +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[Pg 45]</a></span>existence possible have developed in this country within about +twelve years.</p> + +<p>“Public opinion, that mightiest of magicians, has within that +time been educated up to this level and has said in its omnipotence: +‘Hospital, be!’ and, behold, the hospital <i>is</i>.</p> + +<p>“When I joined the ranks of temperance workers in 1874, a +thought so adventurous as that alcoholics in relation to medicine +were a curse and not a blessing had never lodged within +my cranium. But, as in duty bound, I studied the subject from +the practical, which is the nineteenth century standpoint.</p> + +<p>“I investigated the cause of inebriety, and found the medical +use of alcoholic stimulants a prominent factor in this horrible +result; I sought for expert testimony, and found Dr. N. S. Davis, +ex-President American Medical Association, saying ‘that in his +ample clinical practice he had for over thirty years tested the +medical uses of alcoholics, and had <i>found no case of disease +and no emergency arising from accident that he could not +treat more successfully without any form of fermented or +distilled liquors than with</i>’; found Dr. James R. Nichols, of +Boston, so long editor of <i>The Journal of Chemistry</i>, declaring +as his deliberate scientific opinion that the entire banishment of +these liquors ‘would not deprive us of a single one of the indispensable +agents which modern civilization demands’; found Dr. +Green, of Boston, saying before the physicians of that city that +it is upon the members of the medical profession and the exceptional +laws which it has always demanded, that the whole +liquor fraternity depends more than upon anything else to +screen it from opprobrium and just punishment for the evils it +entails, and that after thirty years of professional experience he +felt assured that alcoholic stimulants are not required as medicines, +and that many, if not a majority of the best physicians, +now believe them <i>to be worse than useless</i>. Meanwhile I +learned that across the sea such great physicians as Dr. Benjamin +Ward Richardson, Sir Andrew Clark, Sir Henry Thompson +and Sir William Gull held views which for their latitude were +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[Pg 46]</a></span>almost equally radical; and Dr. James Edmunds, founder of +the London Temperance Hospital had demonstrated publicly +and on a grand scale the more excellent way, his hospital having +4½ per cent. fewer deaths than any other in London, taking the +same run of cases, and that the Royal Infirmary at Manchester +reported the medicinal use of alcohol fallen off 87 per cent. in +recent years, with a decrease in its death-rate of over one-third. +Besides all this, and independent of any such investigation, the +‘intuitions’ of our most earnest women were leading them out of +the wilderness. As is their custom, they determined to put +this matter to the test of that ‘experience which one experiences +when he experiences his own experience,’ and a whole +body of divinity upon the advantages of non-alcoholic treatment +could be furnished from their evidence. I was not able personally +to pursue this method, my own condition of good health +having become chronic. Away back in 1875, in executive +committee, one of our leading officers was stricken with <i>angina +pectoris</i>. A physician was promptly summoned. ‘Give her +brandy,’ he said, and insisted so stoutly upon it as vital to her +recovery that we should probably have sent for it, but the dear +woman gasped out faintly, ‘I can die, but I can’t touch brandy.’ +She is alive and flourishing to-day. Another national officer +absolutely refused whisky for a violent attack of a very different +character, the physician telling her that she could not live +through the night without it; but she is still an active worker—a +living witness that doctors are not infallible. Instances +like these have multiplied by hundreds and thousands in our +Woman’s Christian Unions and Bands of Hope. ‘No, mamma +I can’t touch liquor; I’ve signed the pledge,’ is a protest +‘familiar as household words.’ Meanwhile, I beg you to contemplate +something else that has happened. Behold, our own +beloved beverage itself,</p> + +<div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> +<span class="i0">‘Sparkling and bright,<br /></span> +<span class="i0">In its liquid light,’<br /></span> +</div></div> + +<p>has come grandly to our rescue in this crusade against alcohol +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[Pg 47]</a></span>in the sick room. Water has become a favorite—nay, even a +fashionable—medicine! The most conservative physicians +freely prescribe it in the very cases where some form of alcohol +was the specific so long. To be sure, they give it hot, +but we do not object to that, since ‘water hot ne’er made a +sot,’ and it cures dyspepsia and all forms of indigestion as +whisky never did, but only made believe to; while its external +use as a fomentation is banishing alcohol even for old +folks’ ‘rheumatiz’ where, as a remedy, it would be likely to +make its final stand.</p> + +<p>“Farewell, thou cloven-foot, Alcohol! Thou canst no longer +hide away in the home-like old camphor bottle, paregoric bottle, +peppermint bottle or Jamaica-ginger bottle; and a tender +good-by, Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, for be it known to +you that the wonderful discovery stumbled over for six thousand +years has in our day been made, namely, that hot water +will soothe the baby’s stomach-aches and the grown people’s +pains, and drive out a cold when all else fails. <i>Jubilate!</i> +Clear out the cupboard and top shelf of the closet now that the +sideboard has gone. Let great Nature have a glance to +‘mother up’ humanity with the medicine, as well as the +beverage, brewed in Heaven.”</p></div> + + +<h4>THE RED CROSS HOSPITAL.</h4> + +<p>A philanthropic young woman, Miss Bettina A. +Hofker, entered Mount Sinai Training School for +Nurses in 1891. Her desire was to fit herself as a +nurse for the poor. After her graduation in 1893, +she met Mrs. Charles A. Raymond, a benevolent +lady, who offered her pecuniary assistance in her +work. Miss Hofker suggested that she would like +to institute a Red Cross Hospital and Training +School for Nurses. Mrs. Raymond succeeded in interesting +others in the proposition. The name of<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[Pg 48]</a></span> +Red Cross however could not be used without +permission of the officers of the society bearing +that name, but after consultation with Miss Barton, +permission was granted. Several years previous to +this, Dr. A. Monæ Lesser, Dr. Thomas McNicholl +and Dr. Gottlieb Steger had opened a small hospital +under the name of St. John’s Institute. This was +now amalgamated with the Red Cross, and Dr. +George F. Shrady and Dr. T. Gaillard Thomas, two +of New York’s leading physicians, were requested +to act as consulting physicians.</p> + +<p>The hospital does not confine itself to service in +its building alone, but sends its workers wherever +called, to mansion or tenement. The “Sisters” are +trained for field service or for any national calamity +such as floods, earthquakes, forest fires, epidemics, +etc. When neither war nor calamities require their +presence, they devote themselves to the service of +the needy poor, or wait upon the rich, if called. +The heroic service rendered by the surgeons and +nurses from this hospital in the Cuban War, +brought their work into great prominence.</p> + +<p>At the suggestion of Miss Barton, the medical +department of the hospital was <a name="Page_48t" id="Page_48t"></a><a href="#Page_48tn">commissioned</a> to +treat diseases without the use of alcoholic liquids.</p> + +<p>Dr. Lesser, the executive surgeon, is a German, +and of German education, having received his medical +education in the Universities of Berlin and +Leipsic. In a conversation with a press representative, +Dr. Lesser said some time ago:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[Pg 49]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“We have been convinced that the use of alcohol can be +entirely eliminated from our medical practice, and this has been +practically accomplished at the Red Cross Hospital. We find +that where stimulants are required, such remedies as caffeine, +nitro-glycerine and kolafra take the place of alcohol, and are +even more satisfactory. The main use of alcohol is to stimulate +the action of the heart in various ailments. The blood is thus +forced to the remote parts of the system, and poisonous substances +carried away. But, besides serving this good purpose, +the drug tears down and ultimately destroys the cellular tissues +of the body. A relapse is certain to follow the application. +The drugs that I have mentioned serve exactly the same purpose +without the disastrous results. We are proving this every day +at the Red Cross Hospital.</p> + +<p>“Only a few days ago a boy was brought in, apparently at +the point of death. He was put into bed and watched by the +nurse. After a little ammonia had been given to him as a +stimulant, he unconsciously expressed himself to the effect +that it was not the same as they gave him in another place, and +gradually when it dawned upon him that no alcohol was +administered by the Red Cross, he said, ‘Gin has allers made +me better.’ The doctor in charge, who already suspected that +the boy was pretending illness for the sake of the drink, was not +surprised an hour or two afterwards to learn that he had +demanded his clothes, dressed himself, and left the hospital +most ungratefully, but apparently quite well.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. George F. Shrady, one of the consulting physicians, +is famous as having been in attendance +upon both President Garfield and President Grant. +He is the editor of the <i>Medical Record</i>, one of the +most important medical journals published in +America. While not a non-alcoholic physician, he +says of the medical use of intoxicants:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[Pg 50]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is altogether too much looseness among physicians +in prescribing alcohol. It is a dangerous drug. There is much +more alcohol used by physicians than is necessary, and it does +great harm. Whisky is not a preventive; it prevents no disease +whatever, contrary to a current notion. Another thing, +we physicians get blamed wrongfully in many cases. People +who want to drink, and do drink, often lay it on to the physician +who prescribed it. * * * * * I think that in most cases +where alcohol is now used, other drugs with which we are +familiar could be used with far better effect, and with no harmful +results.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Steger, another physician of the staff, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I don’t use alcohol at all in my practice. I used to use it, +but my observation has been that other drugs do the same +work without the harmful results. Alcohol over-stimulates the +heart, and tears down the cellular tissues of the system, besides +causing other deleterious effects. The use of alcohol is simply +a superstition among physicians. They have used it so long +that they think they always must. I am not a total abstainer, +but that only shows that I take better care of my patients than +I do of myself. It is not good for a healthy man to drink, but +sometimes folks like myself do things which had better be left +undone. I have seen patients in hospitals made absolutely +drunk by their physicians.”</p></div> + +<p>The following interesting items in regard to +practice in this hospital are culled from the report +of 1897:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Temperature was never reduced by active drugs known as +antipyretics.</p> + +<p>“Water was allowed freely after all kinds of surgical operations +and in fevers.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol was never used as an internal medicine.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[Pg 51]</a></span></p> +<p>“The free use of water in saline solutions directly injected +into the tissues was found of great service. Quarts have been +injected that way with most satisfactory results.</p> + +<p>“Antipyretics were altogether discarded as it is well known +that their action diminishes the tone of the heart. Artificial +reduction of temperature only deludes one into the belief that +the drug has improved the condition of the patient, while in +reality, it has no beneficial influence on the disease, and has +reduced the vital resistance of the patient. In no case has high +temperature harmed a patient and there was every evidence +that in some instances a high temperature was preferable to a +low one.</p> + +<p>“Special attention has been given to the use of alcohol in +disease, not with any desire to approve or disapprove it, but +solely for the purpose of discovering the truth, for nothing +seems of greater public interest from a medical standpoint than +the truth regarding a subject for which so many virtues are +claimed on the one hand, and so many destructive elements +proven on the other. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“We criticise the treatment of no institution, antagonize no +school of medicine, claim no unusual or peculiar scientific +virtue, but what we do maintain and insist upon is this: that +the human body may be ever so afflicted, ever so reduced, the +heart ever so feeble, and the spark of life ever so dim, the +conscientious student of medicine can secure as good results +without as with administration of antipyretics, sparkling wines, +beers or liquors.</p> + +<p>“Experience teaches that true science does not antagonize +nature. In surgical cases, in septicæmia, in pneumonia, or in +any of the fevers, water freely administered has proven to be a +real source of comfort, and an aid to recovery. It is amazing +how favorably diseases terminate under this beneficent beverage. +The withholding of food does not retard, but rather hastens +convalescence.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[Pg 52]</a></span></p> +<p>“In the conduct of our Red Cross patients, irrespective of +their condition when admitted, it can be truly said that after +treatment began, delirium has not been witnessed in a single +instance, and as our hospital reports indicate, our mortality +has been unusually small.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol has not figured as a life-saver in our institution. +Cases of extreme collapse following major operations, cases of +pneumonia, where the pulse ranged from 160 to 220, patients +suffering from pernicious anæmia, septicæmia, pyæmia, cholera +infantum and typhoid fever, some of whom when first seen were +in the worst stages of delirium and collapse have without +alcohol regained consciousness, overcome delirium and made +excellent recoveries.</p> + +<p>“The following cases very forcibly illustrate the results of +non-alcoholic treatment:—</p> + +<p>“Case No. 1. A child, aged nine months, under treatment +for six days for pneumonia, came under our notice on the +seventh day. The temperature was 106 5-10; pulse was 220; +respirations 90. Whisky, which had been given previously to +the extent of two ounces daily, was stopped. Carbonate of +ammonia, caffeine salicylate, nitro-glycerine and 1-10 of a drop +of aconite were given internally; camphorated lard applied +externally; with the result that on the ninth day temperature +stood 99; pulse 100; respiration 20. The child made a complete +recovery.</p> + +<p>“Case No. 2. L. was a child aged eight months, suffering +from a very violent attack of entero-colitis. For three weeks +previous to coming under our notice the patient received +brandy, stimulating foods and alkaline mixtures. Fearfully +emaciated, temperature 106, feeble pulse 182, frequent bloody +discharges from the bowels, numbering as much as thirty in a +day and constant vomiting, the child was considered beyond +hope. Under these circumstances, and at this time we first +saw her. Brandy and all foods were stopped; bowel flushings +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[Pg 53]</a></span>were given, 1-12 of a drop of tincture of aconite was administered +every half hour and salicylate of caffeine every two hours. +In twenty-four hours the temperature was 105 and the pulse +160. In two days, temperature was 102 and the pulse 140. In +one week, temperature was 99 5-10, pulse 110. In three weeks, +the patient was discharged cured.</p> + +<p>“Case No. 3. Mrs. C., aged forty-three, who had been under +treatment for seven weeks for <a name="Page_53t" id="Page_53t"></a><a href="#Page_53tn">metrorrhagia</a>, nietortes and peritonitis +came under our notice. Brandy which had been previously +given in large quantities had proved of no avail and the +patient was considered beyond recovery. We found her completely +prostrated, temperature 102, pulse 170, and unconscious. +The heart very weak and irregular. The brandy was discontinued, +salicylate of caffeine and nitrate of strychnia were +given with the result that in a short time the patient was convalescent +and finally recovered.</p> + +<p>“Each case in our hospital is an additional proof that +whether found in wines, spirits or beers, alcohol can claim no +right as an indispensable medicine.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Lesser, who was Surgeon-General of the +American Red Cross in the Cuban War said after +his return from his first visit to Cuba that four out +of six of his patients, to whom he allowed liquor to +be given as a concession to the popular idea that it +was necessary, died; while subsequently in treating +absolutely without alcohol sixty-three similar cases, +only one died, and he upon the day on which he +was received at the hospital.</p> + + +<h4>ALCOHOL IN OTHER HOSPITALS.</h4> + +<p>In the spring of 1909 a circular letter was sent to +some of the best known hospitals throughout the coun<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[Pg 54]</a></span>try +asking if the use of alcoholic liquors had decreased +in those institutions during the past ten years. From +the replies received the following statements are +taken:</p> + +<p>Cook County Hospital, Chicago, sent figures for +two years only, 1907, and 1908. With 28,932 patients +treated in 1907, the bill for wines and liquors +amounted to only $719.40. In 1908 with 31,202 +patients the bill for liquors amounted to $970.65. This +makes a <i>per capita</i> expenditure for liquors for 1907 +of .024 cents, and for 1908 a <i>per capita</i> expenditure +of .031 cents. The <i>per capita</i> expenditure for liquors +during the same years in Bellevue and Allied Hospitals +of New York city, with from 30,000 to 40,000 patients +treated was .0246 and .029. Two or three cents as +the yearly <i>per capita</i> expenditure for alcoholic liquors +in the two largest hospitals in America is striking evidence +that the physicians practicing there have not +large faith in whisky, or other alcoholic liquors as +remedial agents.</p> + +<p>Long Island, N. Y., State Hospital:—“We are not +using more than half the amount of alcohol we used +ten years ago.”</p> + +<p>Manhattan State Hospital, Ward’s Island, New +York City:—“Our patient population has averaged +nearly 4,500 the last four years, and we have had about +750 employees, many of whom are prescribed for by +institution physicians. The <i>per capita</i> cost of distilled +liquors for the last fiscal year was .0273 at this hospital.”</p> + +<p>Milwaukee City Hospital:—“No alcoholic liquors +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[Pg 55]</a></span>are used to any extent in this hospital, or prescribed +by the staff. I know of no move against such use of +liquors, but venture the assertion that the physicians +believe they have more reliable agents at their command +for most cases.”</p> + +<p>Pennsylvania Hospital, Philadelphia:—“We are +now using about one-third the amount of liquor that +was used in the Pennsylvania Hospital ten years ago.”</p> + +<p>The Presbyterian Hospital of Philadelphia sent figures +for the years from 1900 to 1908. Those for 1900 +show the cost of liquors to be $774.20 and for 1908 +only $331.48. The number of patients was not given.</p> + +<p>Grady Hospital, Atlanta, Georgia:—“That less +liquor is now used than formerly is a fact well known +to all connected with the institution.”</p> + +<p>Garfield Memorial, Washington, D. C., sent figures +for ten years. For 1899 the cost of liquors was +$490.08, with a steady decrease to 1908 when the cost +was $274.58. Number of patients in 1899 was 1,171; +in 1908, 1,898 patients. The <i>per capita</i> for 1908 was +.144 cents.</p> + +<p>University Hospital, Ann Arbor, Michigan:—“Very +little alcohol is prescribed in this hospital.”</p> + +<p>Maine General Hospital, Portland:—“Comparatively +speaking, we use but little alcohol for the reason +that we now have many remedies which, especially for +continued use, are superior to alcohol, which twenty +years ago we did not have. For the conditions or +emergencies in which we think alcohol has a value it is +used when required or deemed best.”<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[Pg 56]</a></span></p> + +<p>Buffalo, New York, State Hospital sent figures for +six years which include cost of alcohol used in the +manufacture of pharmaceutical preparations, which, of +course, makes a very decided difference. <i>Per capita</i> +for 1903 was 22 cents; for 1908 it was 18 cents.</p> + +<p>Buffalo, New York, General Hospital:—“The use +of alcohol as a drug in this hospital has diminished +about one-third in the past ten years, but I wish to +add in this connection that the use of all drugs has +diminished in this hospital, and to the best of my +knowledge in other institutions of a like character. +The use of the microscope, and other studies have +advanced the science of medicine the same as all other +branches of learning, and other methods are coming +to be used beside the use of drugs.”</p> + +<p>Mount Sinai, New York City:—“The use of alcoholic +beverages here for medical purposes is the exception +rather than the rule. The majority of our cases +are surgical cases, and in these alcoholic liquors are +rarely prescribed for any purpose whatsoever.”</p> + +<p>Massachusetts Homeopathic Hospital, Boston, sent +figures for five years. For 1904 the cost of alcoholic +liquors was $197.69 with 3,720 patients; for 1908, the +cost was $69.82 with 4,543 patients. The <i>per capita</i> +cost for the five years is as follows: 1904, cost .0531 +cents; 1905, cost .0474; 1906, cost .034; 1907, cost +.0171; 1908, cost .0153.</p> + +<p>In the <i>Boston Medical and Surgical Journal</i> of +April 15, 1909, Dr. Richard C. Cabot gave a table showing +the decrease in the use of alcoholic liquors, and of +other drugs in Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston.</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[Pg 57]</a></span></p><p>The following is his table:</p> + + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" summary="The decrease in the use of alcoholic liquors, and of +other drugs in Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 1898-1902." style="width: 70%;"> + <tr> + <th> </th> + + <th class="tdrp">1898</th> + <th class="tdrp">1899</th> + <th class="tdrp">1900</th> + <th class="tdrp">1901</th> + <th class="tdrp">1902</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Ale and Beer</td> + <td class="tdr">$759.00</td> + <td class="tdr">$793.90</td> + <td class="tdr">$1,062.00</td> + <td class="tdr">$723.00</td> + <td class="tdr">$605.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlt">Wines and liquors,</td> + <td class="tdr">1,563.00<br />————</td> + <td class="tdr">2,209.00<br />————</td> + <td class="tdr">1,348.00<br />————</td> + <td class="tdr">1,063.00<br />————</td> + <td class="tdr">799.00<br />————</td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlt">Total for alcoholic drinks,</td> + <td class="tdrt">$2,321.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$3,002.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$2,410.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$1,786.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$1,404.00<br /><br /></td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlt">Total for other medicines,</td> + <td class="tdrt">$8,424.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$10,013.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$10,132.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$9,168.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$9,772.00<br /><br /></td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Number of patients,</td> + <td class="tdr">5,005</td> + <td class="tdr">5,203</td> + <td class="tdr">5,012</td> + <td class="tdr">5,495</td> + <td class="tdr">5,342</td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Cost of alcohol per patient,</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.46</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.57</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.48</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.32</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.26</td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Cost of medicine per patient,</td> + <td class="tdr">1.68</td> + <td class="tdr">1.92</td> + <td class="tdr">2.02</td> + <td class="tdr">1.66</td> + <td class="tdr">1.88</td> + </tr> +</table> +</div> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" summary="The decrease in the use of alcoholic liquors, and of +other drugs in Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, 1903-1907." style="width: 70%;"> + <tr> + <th> </th> + + <th class="tdrp">1903</th> + <th class="tdrp">1904</th> + <th class="tdrp">1905</th> + <th class="tdrp">1906</th> + <th class="tdrp">1907</th> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Ale and Beer</td> + <td class="tdr">$338.00</td> + <td class="tdr">$431.00</td> + <td class="tdr">$301.00</td> + <td class="tdr">$192.00</td> + <td class="tdr">$203.00</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlt">Wines and liquors,</td> + <td class="tdr">688.00<br />————</td> + <td class="tdr">904.00<br />————</td> + <td class="tdr">144.00<br />————</td> + <td class="tdr">546.00<br />————</td> + <td class="tdr">610.00</td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlt">Total for alcoholic drinks,</td> + <td class="tdrt">$1,026.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$1,335.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$445.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$738.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$813.00<br /><br /></td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdlt">Total for other medicines,</td> + <td class="tdrt">$7,815.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$9,162.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$7,018.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$5,981.00</td> + <td class="tdrt">$5,492.00<br /><br /></td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Number of patients,</td> + <td class="tdr">5,429</td> + <td class="tdr">5,709</td> + <td class="tdr">5,531</td> + <td class="tdr">5,513</td> + <td class="tdr">5,966</td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Cost of alcohol per patient,</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.19</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.23</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.09</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.13</td> + <td class="tdr">$0.13</td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Cost of medicine per patient,</td> + <td class="tdr">1.43</td> + <td class="tdr">1.60</td> + <td class="tdr">1.26</td> + <td class="tdr">1.00</td> + <td class="tdr">0.92</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p>Dr. Cabot says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Since there has been no fall in the price of stimulants or +medicine, the diminished expenditure corresponds to a diminution +in the number of doses of medicine and stimulants, +and indicates a rapid and striking change of view among the +members of the staff of the hospital, especially in the past +five years, when it has become generally known that alcohol +is not a stimulant but a narcotic and that drugs can cure +only about half a dozen of the diseases against which we are +contending.</p> + +<p>“There has been during this period no increase in the proportion +of surgical cases among the whole number treated, +so that the decreased use of medicines and alcoholic beverages +has not resulted from an increased resort to surgical +remedies. On the other hand, there has been a great increase +in the utilization of baths (hydrotherapeutics), of +massage, of mechanical treatment and of psychical treatment, +all of which accounts no doubt for part of the falling off in +the use of alcohol and drugs.”</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[Pg 58]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_V" id="CHAPTER_V"></a>CHAPTER V.</h2> + +<h3>THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL UPON THE +HUMAN BODY.</h3> + + +<p>The body is made up mainly of cells, fibres and +fluids. The cell is the most important structure in +the living body. Life resides in the cell, and every +animal may be considered a mass of cells, each of +which is alive, and each of which has its own work +to accomplish in the building up of the body.</p> + +<p>The matter which forms the mass of a cell is called +protoplasm, or bioplasm. It resembles somewhat +the white of a raw egg, which is almost pure albumen. +Cells make up the body, and do its work. Some are +employed to construct the skeleton, others are used +to form the organs which move the body; liver-cells +secrete bile, and the cells in the kidneys separate +poisonous matters from the blood in order that they +may be expelled from the system.</p> + +<p>These cells, composing the mass of the body, +being very delicate, are easily acted upon by substances +coming into contact with them. If substances +other than natural foods or drinks are +introduced into the body, the cells are injuriously +affected. Alcohol is especially injurious to cells, +“retarding the changes in their interior, hindering +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[Pg 59]</a></span>their appropriation of food, and elimination of +waste matters, and therefore preventing their +proper development and growth.”</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Bioplasm is living matter; it is structureless, semi-fluid, +transparent and colorless. It is the only matter that can grow, +move, divide itself and multiply, the only matter that can take +up pabulum (food) and convert it into its own substance; and is +the only matter that can be nourished. The bioplasm in the +cell gets its nourishment by drawing in of the pabulum through +the cell wall, and in that way building up the formed material +while it is being disintegrated on the outer surface. This process +is continually being carried on, and is what is meant by +nutrition. Disintegration of the formed material is as essential +as the building up of it. All organic structure is the result of +change taking place in bioplasm. These small cell-like bioplasts +are the workmen of the organism. All wounds are +repaired by them, all fractures are united, and all diseased tissues +brought back to their normal and healthy condition, unless +there is not vitality enough to overcome disease, or they have +been injured or killed by poisonous material. The body is kept +in repair by this living matter, and all the functions of the body +are but the result of its action. We may examine, watch and +study bioplasm under the microscope; we see it take up pabulum +and convert that which is adapted to itself into its own substance, +while all other substances are rejected. We take a +solution of what we call a stimulant and immerse the bioplasm +in it, and we find that it increases its activity, moves faster, takes +up more pabulum, and divides more rapidly than in the unstimulated +condition. We next add an astringent, and it begins to +move more slowly, and soon contracts into a spherical shape +and remains contracted, or may move slowly to a limited extent, +depending on the strength of the solution. We next take +a relaxant, and gradually the living matter begins to spread in +all directions, in a laxy-like manner, and becomes so thin as to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[Pg 60]</a></span>be almost undiscernible, and takes up very little, if any, pabulum. +If sufficiently relaxed or astringed, the movements may +entirely cease so as to appear lifeless, but when a stimulant is +again added the same result is obtained as before—it begins to +move, and acts as vigorous as ever, which shows that it was +not injured in the least by the agents used. Alcohol is called a +stimulant. We take a weak solution of alcohol and try it in the +same way; but we find that almost instantly the living matter +contracts into a ball-like mass. Now, we may through ignorance +suppose that alcohol acts as an astringent, and so we try +to stimulate it with the same harmless agent before used, but +no impression is made on it; it does not move; it is dead matter. +These are demonstrable facts, and lie at the foundation of +physiology, pathology and the practice of medicine. Alcohol +destroys the very life force that alone keeps the body in repair. +For a more simple experiment as to the action of alcohol, take +the white of an egg (which consists of albumen, and is very +similar to bioplasm), put it into alcohol, and notice it turn +white, coagulate and harden. The same experiment can be +made with blood with the same result—killing the blood bioplasts. +Raw meat will turn white and harden in alcohol. Alcohol +acts the same on food in the stomach as it does on the +same substances before introduced into the stomach, and acts +just the same on blood and all the living tissues in the system +as out of it; and this alone is enough to condemn its use as a +medicine.” From <i>Alcohol, Is It a Medicine?</i> by W. F. Pechuman, +M. D., of Detroit, Michigan.</p></div> + + +<h4>ALCOHOL AND STOMACH DIGESTION.</h4> + +<p>The nitrogenous portions of the food are the +only ones digested in the stomach. The oily and +fatty, as well as the starchy portions, are digested +in the small intestines.</p> + +<p>Very little was known about digestion until 1833, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[Pg 61]</a></span>when Dr. Beaumont published the results of his +investigations upon the stomach of Alexis St. +Martin. St. Martin received a severe wound in the +left side from a shot-gun. The wound in healing +left an opening into the stomach about ⅘ of an +inch in diameter, closed on the inside by a flap of +mucous membrane. Through this opening the +interior of the stomach could be thoroughly examined. +Dr. Beaumont made hundreds of observations +upon this young man, who was in his home several +years. He says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In a feverish condition, from whatever cause, obstructed +perspiration, <i>excitement by alcoholic liquors</i>, overloading the +stomach with food, fear, anger or whatever depresses or disturbs +the nervous system, the lining of the stomach becomes +somewhat red and dry, at other times pale and moist, and loses +its smooth and healthy appearance, the secretions become +vitiated, greatly diminished or entirely suppressed.”</p></div> + +<p>One day after giving St. Martin a good wholesome +dinner, digestion of which was going on in +regular order, Dr. Beaumont gave him a glass of +gin. The digestive process was at once arrested, +and did not begin again until after the absorption +of the spirit, after which it was slowly renewed, +and tardily finished.</p> + +<p>Gluzinski made some conclusive experiments +with a syphon. He drew off the contents of the +stomach at various times with and without liquor. +He concluded that alcohol entirely suspends the +transformation of food while it remains in the +stomach.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[Pg 62]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Figg, of Edinburgh, fed two dogs with roast +mutton; to one of them he gave 1½ounces of +spirit. Three hours later he killed both dogs. +The dog without liquor had digested the mutton; +the other had not digested his at all. Similar +experiments have been made repeatedly with like +result.</p> + +<p>The elements of our food which the stomach can +digest depend upon the pepsin of the gastric juice +for their transformation. Alcohol diminishes the +secretions of the gastric juice, unless given in very +minute quantities, and kills and precipitates its +pepsin. It also coagulates both albumen and +fibrine, converting them into a solid substance, +thus rendering them unfit for the action of the +solvent principles of the gastric juice. Hence, any +considerable quantity of alcohol taken into the +stomach must for the time retard the function of +digestion.</p> + +<p>Many experiments have been made with gastric +juice in vials, one, having alcohol added, the other, +not having alcohol. The meat in the vials without +alcohol, in time dissolved till it bore the appearance +of soup; in the vials to which alcohol was added +the meat remained practically unchanged. In the +latter a deposit of pepsin was found at the bottom, +the alcohol having precipitated it. Dr. Henry +Munroe, of England, one of the experimenters in +this line of research, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Alcohol, even in a diluted form, has the peculiar power of +interfering with the ordinary process of digestion.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[Pg 63]</a></span></p> +<p>“As long as alcohol remains in the stomach in any degree +of concentration, the process of digestion is arrested, and is not +continued until enough gastric juice is thrown out to overcome +its effects.”—<i>Tracy’s Physiology</i>, page 90.</p></div> + +<p>In <i>The Human Body</i>, Dr. Newell Martin says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A vast number of persons suffer from alcoholic dyspepsia +without knowing its cause; people who were never drunk in +their lives and consider themselves very temperate. Abstinence +from alcohol, the cause of the trouble, is the true remedy.”</p></div> + +<p>Sir B. W. Richardson:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The common idea that alcohol acts as an aid to digestion +is without foundation. Experiments on the artificial digestion +of food, in which the natural process is closely imitated, show +that the presence of alcohol in the solvents employed interferes +with and weakens the efficacy of the solvents. It is also one of +the most definite of facts that persons who indulge even in +what is called the moderate use of alcohol suffer often from +dyspepsia from this cause alone. In fact, it leads to the symptoms +which, under the varied names of biliousness, nervousness, +lassitude and indigestion, are so well and extensively +known.</p> + +<p>“From the paralysis of the minute blood-vessels which is +induced by alcohol, there occurs, when alcohol is introduced +into the stomach, injection of the vessels and redness of the +mucous lining of the stomach. This is attended by the subjective +feeling of a warmth or glow within the body, and +according to some, with an increased secretion of the gastric +fluids. It is urged by the advocates of alcohol that this action +of alcohol on the stomach is a reason for its employment as an +aid to digestion, especially when the digestive powers are +feeble. At best this argument suggests only an artificial aid, +which it cannot be sound practice to make permanent in place +of the natural process of digestion. In truth, the artificial +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[Pg 64]</a></span>stimulation, if it be resorted to even moderately, is in time +deleterious. It excites a morbid habitual craving, and in the +end leads to weakened contractile power of the vessels of the +stomach, to consequent deficiency of control of those vessels +over the current of blood, to organic impairment of function, +and to confirmed indigestion. Lastly, it is a matter of experience +with me, that in nine cases out of ten, the sense of the +necessity, on which so much is urged, is removed in the +readiest manner, by the simple plan of total abstinence, without +any other remedy or method.”</p></div> + +<p>In <i>Medicinal Drinking</i>, by John Kirk, M. D., this +passage occurs:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Especially in the matter of support, it is essential to our +inquiry to examine fully into alcoholic influence on the change +by which food introduced into the stomach becomes capable of +passing into the circulation and constituent elements of the +living frame. It may be best to suppose a case for illustration. +Here, then, is a child of, say, six or seven years of age. This +child is of the slenderer sex and has been brought into a state of +extreme weakness as the consequence of fever. The fury of +the disease is expended, but it has, as nearly as may be, extinguished +life. The medical man’s one hope for saving this +child is now concentrated in what he fancies to be ‘support.’ +Beef-tea, arrowroot and <i>port wine</i> are prescribed. Let it be +kept in mind that the pure wine of the grape is discarded in +favor of alcoholic wine. Our question is, What effect will the +alcohol in this wine have on that process by which the food is +to prove really nourishing, and so to be that support which is +the only hope for this child? Will it help her? or will it so +hinder the necessary change in the food as to kill her, unless +she has sufficient strength left to get above its influence? +These are surely important questions. Neither of them can be +set at rest by the fact that she recovers; for she <i>may</i> have +strength enough, as many have had, to survive even a serious +error in her treatment.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[Pg 65]</a></span></p> +<p>“What light, then, does true science throw on these important +questions? All who know anything on the subject are aware +that alcohol, instead of dissolving <i>food</i>, or aiding in its dissolution, +is one of the most powerful agents in preventing that +dissolution. On what principle, then, is it possible that its +being mixed with the materials of food, in this case, can aid in +their dissolution, so that they may more easily be changed into +the fresh blood required to sustain and recover life in this +child?”</p></div> + +<p>He then refers to the experiments with gastric +juice in vials, and proceeds:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Here, then, is indisputable evidence that alcohol effectually +<i>prevents</i> that process which is known as digestion, and which +is essential to food’s being of any use to support life in man. +On what principle can the physician explain his introduction of +it into the stomach of a child whose thread of life is attenuated +to the slenderest hair?</p> + +<p>“We urge the chemical truth that the alcohol, given to promote +support, is of such a nature as to prevent that which +would nourish, from effecting the end so much to be desired, +and for which true food is adapted.”</p></div> + +<p>The pure, unfermented juice of the grape, free +from chemical preservatives, is now used by many +physicians where the miserable concoction of drugs +and alcohol, known as port wine, was once considered +essential. Unfermented grape juice contains +all the nutriment of the grape, without any of +the poison, alcohol. After being opened it should +be kept in a cool place, or it will ferment and produce +alcohol. Fruit juices are very grateful to a +fever patient, and should not be withheld as they +are in so many cases. Dr. J. H. Kellogg, and other +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[Pg 66]</a></span>non-alcoholic physicians, recommend them highly. +They are better than milk, as milk frequently produces +“feverishness,” while fruit juices allay it.</p> + +<p>For those who think beer or ale an incentive to +appetite, Dr. N. S. Davis, and others, recommend +an infusion of hops, made fresh each day. It is the +bitter which promotes appetite, not the alcohol. +For the sake of the little bitter in beer, it is not +wise to vitiate the tone of the stomach with the +alcohol it contains, and which is its active principle. +Many mothers have become drunkards, secret +drunkards, possibly, through the use of beer as a +fancied aid to digestion. Multitudes of men suffer +untold horrors from dyspepsia, caused by the beer +which they mistakenly suppose to be a friend to +their stomach.</p> + + +<h4>EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL UPON THE BLOOD.</h4> + +<p>“The blood is a thick, opaque fluid, varying in +color in different parts of the body from a bright +scarlet to a dark purple, or even almost black.” If +a drop of blood be placed under a microscope, immense +numbers of small bodies will be seen. These +are called blood-globules, or corpuscles, or discs. +There are both red, and white or colorless, corpuscles. +Each red corpuscle is soft and jelly-like. +Its chief constituent, besides water, is a substance +called hemoglobin, which has the power of combining +with oxygen when in a place where that gas is +plentiful, and of giving it off again in a region +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[Pg 67]</a></span>where oxygen is absent, or present only in small +quantity. Hence, as the blood flows through the +lungs, which are constantly supplied with fresh air, +its corpuscles take up oxygen, which, as it flows on, +is carried by them to distant parts of the body +where oxygen is deficient, and there given up to +the tissues. This oxygen-carrying is the function +of the red corpuscles.</p> + +<p>Hemoglobin, as the coloring-matter of the blood +is called, is dark purplish-red in color; combined +with oxygen it is bright “scarlet red.” Accordingly, +the blood which flows to the lungs after giving +up its oxygen is dark red in color, its dark +color being due to the impurities it contains; and +that which, having received a fresh supply of oxygen, +flows away from the lungs is bright scarlet—having +been cleansed of its impurities. The bright +red blood is called <i>arterial</i>, and the dark red <i>venous</i>.</p> + +<p>The work assigned to the blood in the economy +of the human system is: first, to pick up nutriment +in its course through the walls of the alimentary +canal, and oxygen, as it flows through the lungs, +and convey these to all other parts of the body. +Second, to act as a sort of sewage stream that +drains off waste matter, and to carry this to the +organs of excretion by which waste is expelled +from the body.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The blood is the great circulating market of the body, in +which all the things that are wanted by all parts, by the muscles, +the brain, the skin, the lungs, liver and kidneys, are +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[Pg 68]</a></span>bought and sold. What the muscles want they buy from the +blood; what they have done with, they sell back to the blood; +and so with every other organ and part. As long as life lasts +this buying and selling is forever going on, and this is why the +blood is forever on the move, sweeping restlessly from place to +place, bringing to each part the thing it wants, and carrying +away those with which it has done. When the blood ceases to +move, the market is blocked, the buying and selling cease, and +all the organs die, starved for lack of the things they want, +choked by the abundance of things for which they have no +longer any need.”—<span class="smcap">Foster.</span></p></div> + +<p>This is one way of saying that the processes of +repair and waste are constantly going on in the +body. Every action of the body, every impulse of +the mind uses up some cell-matter, which must +then be passed from the body as waste. This is +called tissue disintegration. New cells to repair +tissue waste are built up from the nutriment which +the blood carries from the alimentary canal after +the process of food digestion is accomplished. +This is called tissue construction, or the process of +assimilation. Technically, these are the metabolic, +or destructive and constructive processes. Both +are essential to health and life. Any substance +taken into the body, which will interfere with these +processes of nutrition and waste is inimical to +health, and in time of disease, dangerous to life.</p> + +<p><i>Alcohol is such a substance.</i></p> + +<p>The cells and tissues of the body which are +touched by alcohol are more or less hardened and +injured by it, hence are less perfectly nourished +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[Pg 69]</a></span>than they are when alcohol is not present in the +blood. Even a teaspoonful of alcohol to a ½ gallon +of water hinders natural growth. If liquor is given +to puppies it keeps them small. Young growing-cells +are most affected by it, because they are most +tender. There are growing-cells in adults as well +as in children, for people are growing and changing +all through their lives.</p> + +<p>Hence, when alcohol is administered in sickness +the cells are hindered in the full performance of +their function of taking up food for the building up +of tissue, and as a consequence, the patient’s body +is really robbed of nutriment by the agent which is +supposed to be “keeping up his strength.” Truly, +“Wine is a <i>mocker</i>, strong drink is raging, and whosoever +is <i>deceived</i> thereby is not wise.”</p> + +<p>That alcohol interferes with the passage of waste +matter from the body is generally conceded. Indeed +this is claimed by the advocates of its medicinal +use as one of its virtues: the fact that less +waste passes from the body being urged as evidence +that there is less waste, that in some way alcohol +preserves tissue from being used up in the natural +way. Those who speak thus seem to think that +they know better than the Creator how the body +should be treated. He made the body so that in +health, work, waste and repair should be equal to +one another.</p> + +<p>Dr. Ezra M. Hunt says in <i>Alcohol as a Food and +as a Medicine</i>:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[Pg 70]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“We believe that any one who will candidly review the +claims put forth for alcohol, in that it delays in any of these +hypothetical ways, tissue-change, will conclude that it has no +such power <i>in a salutary sense</i>, and that it is unwarrantably +assumed that to retard tissue metamorphosis (change) is +equivalent to tissue nutrition.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. N. S. Davis says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It seems hardly possible that men of eminent attainments +in the profession should so far forget one of the most fundamental +and universally recognized laws of organic life as to promulgate +the fallacy here stated. The fundamental law to +which we refer is, that all vital phenomena are accompanied by, +and dependent upon, molecular or atomic changes; and whatever +retards these retards the phenomena of life; whatever suspends +these suspends life. Hence, to say that an agent which +retards tissue metamorphosis is in any sense a food, is simply +to pervert and misapply terms.”</p></div> + +<p>Non-alcoholic physicians unite in declaring that +the retention of waste matter in the system, caused +by alcohol, invites disease, and tends to inflammatory +action; and in illness retards, and frequently +prevents, recovery, for the germs of disease remain +longer in the body than they would were it not for +the delay in the passage of effete matter.</p> + +<p><i>Alcohol not only hinders the blood in its work of +tissue nutrition; it also prevents the full oxidation of +the blood in the lungs.</i></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In order that a steam engine may work and keep warm it +is not merely necessary that it have plenty of coal, but it must +also have a draft of air through its furnace. Chemistry teaches +us that the burning in this case consists in the combination of a +gas called oxygen, taken from the air, with other things in the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[Pg 71]</a></span>coals; when this combination takes place a great deal of heat is +given off. The same thing is true of our bodies; in order that +food matters may be burnt in them and enable us to work and +keep warm, they must be supplied with oxygen; this they get +from the air by breathing. We all know that if his supply of +air be cut off a man will die in a few minutes. His food is no +use to him unless he gets oxygen from the air to combine +with it; while he usually has stored up in his body an excess +of food matters which will keep him alive for some time if he +gets a supply of oxygen, he has not stored up in him any reserve, +or, if any, but a very small one, of oxygen, and so he dies +very rapidly if his breathing be prevented. In ordinary language +we do not call oxygen a food, but restrict that name to +the solids and liquids which we swallow; but inasmuch as it is +a material which we must take from the external universe into +our bodies in order to keep us alive, oxygen is really a food as +much as any of the other substances which we take into our +bodies from outside, in order to keep them alive and at work. +<i>Suffocation</i>, as death from deficient air supply is named, is +really death from oxygen-starvation.”—Martin’s <i>Human Body</i>.</p></div> + +<p>Much of the food taken into the body is burned +to supply energy and heat. This burning is called +oxidation. When food is burned, or oxidized, either +in the body, or out of it, three things are produced, +carbon dioxide (<i>carbonic acid gas</i>), water and +ashes. These are waste matters, and must be expelled +from the body, or they will clog up the various +organs, as the ashes and smoke of an engine +would soon put its fire out if they were allowed to +accumulate in the furnace. It is the duty of the +lungs to pass the carbon dioxide out to the air. +With every breath exhaled, this poison gas, generated +in the body through the oxidation of food, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[Pg 72]</a></span>passes from the system. With every breath inhaled +the life-giving oxygen is taken into the body; providing +that the person is not in a close room from +which the fresh air is excluded.</p> + +<p>Any substance taken into the body which interferes +with the reception of oxygen into the blood, +and with the giving off of carbon dioxide from +the same is a dangerous substance.</p> + +<p><i>Alcohol is such a substance.</i></p> + +<p>It has already been stated that it is the duty of +the little red corpuscles in the blood to take up +oxygen in the lungs, and carry it to every part of +the body, and upon the return passage to the lungs +to convey the <i>débris</i>, or used-up material, from the +tissues, called carbon dioxide gas. A little vapor +and ammonia accompany this gas. The action of +alcohol upon these little corpuscles, or carriers of +the blood, is to somewhat harden and shrivel them, +so that they are unable to take up and carry as +much oxygen as they can when no injurious substance +is present in the blood. In consequence of +this, the blood can never be so pure when alcohol is +present, as it may be in the absence of this agent.</p> + +<p>The following is taken from <i>The Temperance +Lesson Book</i>, by B. W. Richardson, M. D.:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“When the blood in the veins is floating toward the right +side of the heart, which communicates with the lungs, it carries +with it the carbonic acid (<i>carbon dioxide</i>), and, as I have found +by experiment, a great part of this gas is condensed in these +little bodies, the corpuscles. Arrived at the lungs, the blood +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[Pg 73]</a></span>comes into such contact with the air we breathe, that the +oxygen gas in the air is freely absorbed by the little corpuscles, +while the carbonic acid is given up into the air-passages of the +lungs, and is thrown off with every breath we throw out. In +this process the blood changes in color. It comes into the +lungs of a dark color; it goes out of them a bright red. * * * * * +The parts of the blood on which alcohol acts injuriously are the +corpuscles and the fibrine. The red corpuscles are most distinctly +affected. They undergo a peculiar process of shrinking +from extraction of water from them. They also lose some +of their power to absorb oxygen from the air. In confirmed +spirit-drinkers the face and hands are often seen of dark +mottled color, and in very bad specimens of the kind, the face +is sometimes seen to be quite dark. This is because the blood +cannot take up the vital air in the natural degree. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“If anything whatever interferes with the proper reception of +oxygen by the blood, the blood is not properly oxidized, the +animal warmth is not sufficiently maintained, and life is reduced +in activity. If for a brief interval of time the process of breathing +is stopped in a living person, we see quickly developed the +signs of difficulty, and we say the person is being suffocated. +We observe that the face becomes dark, the lips blue, the +surface cold. Should the process of arrest or stoppage of the +breathing be long continued the person will become unconscious, +will stagger and fall, and should relief not be at hand, +he will in a very few minutes die.</p> + +<p>“I found by experiment that in presence of alcohol in blood +the process of absorption of oxygen was directly checked, and +that even so minute a quantity as one part of alcohol in five +hundred of blood proved an obstacle to the perfect reception of +oxygen by the blood. The corpuscles are reduced in size, +when large quantities of alcohol are taken, and become irregular +in shape.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. J. J. Ridge says in <i>Addresses on the Physiological +Action of Alcohol</i>:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[Pg 74]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It has been found by experiment that, when alcohol is +taken, less carbonic acid comes away in the breath than when +it is not. This is partly because the blood-corpuscles cannot +carry so much, and partly because so much is not produced, +because there is less oxygen to join with the food and produce +it. Just as burning paper smokes when it does not get enough +oxygen, so other things are formed and get into the blood when +there is not enough oxygen to make carbonic acid. These +things make the blood impure, and cause extra work and +trouble to get rid of them. This is why persons who drink +alcohol are more liable to have gout and other diseases, than +total abstainers.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Alfred Carpenter, formerly president of the +Council of the British Medical Association, says in +<i>Alcoholic Drinks</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A blood corpuscle cannot come into direct contact with an +atom of alcohol, without the function of the former being +spoiled, and not only is it spoiled, but the effete matter which +it has within its capsule cannot be exchanged for the necessary +oxygen. The breath of the drunken man does not give out +the quantity of carbonic acid which that of the healthy man does, +and the ammoniacal compounds are in a great measure absent. +Some of the carbon and effete nitrogenous matter is kept back. +The retention of these poisonous matters within the body is +highly injurious. Let the drinker suffer from any wound or +injury and this effete matter in his blood is ready at a moment’s +notice to prepare and set up actions called inflammatory or +erysipelatous, or some other kind; by means of which too +often the drinker is hurried into eternity, although, perhaps, +he may have been regarded as a perfectly sober man, and have +never been drunk in his life.”</p></div> + +<p>In the light of these scientific facts, what can +appear more utterly foolish than the swallowing of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[Pg 75]</a></span>alcoholic patent medicines which are widely advertised +as “Blood Purifiers”? That they will render +the blood impure is only too evident in the +light of scientific truth.</p> + +<p>Dr. Nathan S. Davis has written much in disapproval +of the use of alcohol in fevers, pneumonia +and diphtheria, putting stress upon the fact that +these diseases, of themselves, interfere with the +reception of oxygen into the blood, and hence the +use of all remedies that notably diminish the +internal distribution of oxygen, or impair the corpuscles +of the blood, should be avoided. Not only +is alcohol of such a nature, but all the coal-tar +series of antipyretics also. Since the internal distribution +of oxygen, and the processes of tissue +change are essential to the repair of the body, and +alcohol hinders the blood in the full performance +of its duties in these respects, it certainly seems +clear that those physicians, who are extremely +cautious in the use of this drug, or who do not use +it at all, are more likely to be successful in saving +their patients than are those who use it freely. +Death-rates, with and without alcohol, show conclusively +the superiority of the latter treatment.</p> + + +<h4>ALCOHOL AND THE HEART.</h4> + +<p>The organs of circulation are the heart and the +blood-vessels. The blood-vessels are of three kinds, +arteries, capillaries and veins. The arteries carry +blood from the heart to the capillaries; the veins +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[Pg 76]</a></span>collect it from the capillaries and return it to the +heart. There are two distinct sets of blood-vessels +in the body, both connected with the heart; one set +carries blood to, through and from the lungs, the +other guides its flow through all the remaining +organs; the former are known as the <i>pulmonary</i>, +the latter as the <i>systemic</i> blood-vessels.</p> + +<p>The smallest arteries pass into the <i>capillaries</i>, +which have very thin walls, and form very close networks +in nearly all parts of the body; their immense +number compensating for their small size. It is +while flowing in these delicate tubes that the blood +does its nutritive work, the arteries being merely +supply-tubes for the capillaries, through whose +delicate walls liquid containing nourishment exudes +from the blood to bathe the various tissues.</p> + +<p>The quantity of blood in any part of the body at +any given time is dependent upon certain relations +which exist between the blood-vessels and the nervous +system. The walls of the arteries are abundantly +supplied with involuntary muscular fibres, +which have the power of contraction and relaxation. +This power of contraction and relaxation is controlled +by certain nerves called <i>vasomotor</i> nerves, +because they cause or control motion in the vessels +to which they are attached. When arteries supplying +blood to any particular part of the body contract, +the supply of blood to that part will be diminished +in proportion to the amount of contraction. +If the nervous control be altogether withdrawn, the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[Pg 77]</a></span>arterial walls will completely relax, and the amount +of blood in the part affected will be increased correspondingly.</p> + +<p>Alcohol, even in moderate doses, paralyzes the +<i>vasomotor</i> nerves which control the minute blood-vessels, +thus allowing these vessels to become +dilated with the flowing blood.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“With the disturbance of power in the extreme vessels, more +disturbance is set up in other organs, and the first organ that +shares in it is the heart. With each beat of the heart a certain +degree of resistance is offered by the vessels when their nervous +supply is perfect, and the stroke of the heart is moderate +in respect both to tension and to time. But when the vessels +are rendered relaxed, the resistance is removed, the heart begins +to run quicker like a clock from which the pendulum has been +removed, and the heart-stroke is greatly increased in frequency. +It is easy to account in this manner for the quickened heart +and pulse which accompany the first stage of deranged action +from alcohol.”—<span class="smcap">Richardson.</span></p></div> + +<p>Dr. Parkes of England, assisted by Count +Wollowicz, conducted inquiries upon the effects of +alcohol upon the heart, with a young and healthy +man. At first they made accurate count of the +heart beats during periods when the young man +drank water only; then of the beats during successive +periods in which alcohol was taken in increasing +quantities. Thus step by step they measured the +precise action of alcohol on the heart, and thereby +the precise primary influence induced by alcohol. +Their results are stated by themselves as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The average number of beats of the heart in 24 hours (as +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[Pg 78]</a></span>calculated from eight observations made in 14 hours), during +the first, or water period, was 106,000; in the earlier alcoholic +period it was 127,000, or about 21,000 more; and in the later +period it was 131,000, or 25,000 more.</p> + +<p>“The highest of the daily means of the pulse observed during +the first, or water period, was 77.5; but on this day two observations +are deficient. The next highest daily mean was 77 +beats.</p> + +<p>“If, instead of the mean of the eight days, or 73.57, we compare +the mean of this one day; viz. 77 beats per minute, with +the alcoholic days, so as to be sure not to over-estimate the +action of the alcohol, we find:—</p> + +<p>“On the 9th day, with one fluid ounce of alcohol, the heart +beat 4,300 times more.</p> + +<p>On the 10th day, with two fluid ounces, 8,172 times more.</p> + +<p>On the 11th day, with four fluid ounces, 12,960 times more.</p> + +<p>On the 12th day, with six fluid ounces, 20,672 times more.</p> + +<p>On the 13th day, with eight fluid ounces, 23,904 times more.</p> + +<p>On the 14th day, with eight fluid ounces, 25,488 times +more.</p> + +<p>But as there was ephemeral fever on the 12th day, it is right +to make a deduction, and to estimate the number of beats in +that day as midway between the 11th and 13th days, or 18,432. +Adopting this, the mean daily excess of beats during the alcoholic +days was 14,492, or an increase of rather more than 13 +per cent.</p> + +<p>The first day of alcohol gave an excess of 4 per cent., and +the last of 23 per cent.; and the mean of these two gives almost +the same percentage of excess as the mean of the six days.</p> + +<p>Admitting that each beat of the heart was as strong during +the alcoholic period as in the water period (and it was really +more powerful), the heart on the last two days of alcohol was +doing one-fifth more work.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[Pg 79]</a></span></p> +<p>“Adopting the lowest estimate which has been given of the +daily work of the heart; viz. as equal to 12.2 tons lifted one +foot, the heart during the alcoholic period, did daily work +excess equal to lifting 15.8 tons one foot, and in the last two +days did extra work to the amount of 24 tons lifted as far.</p> + +<p>“The period of rest for the heart was shortened, though, perhaps, +not to such an extent as would be inferred from the +number of beats, for each contraction was sooner over. The +heart, on the fifth and sixth days after alcohol was left off, and, +apparently at the time when the last traces of alcohol were +eliminated, showed in the sphygmographic tracing signs of +unusual feebleness; and, perhaps, in consequence of this, when +the brandy quickened the heart again, the tracings showed a +more rapid contraction of the ventricles, but less power than in +the alcoholic period. The brandy acted, in fact, on a heart +whose nutrition had not been perfectly restored.”</p></div> + +<p>Richardson quotes these experiments of Parkes +and Wollowicz as if he agrees with them that increased +heart-beat must of necessity mean increased +work done by the heart. Dr. Nathan S. Davis, Dr. +Newell Martin, Dr. A. B. Palmer, and some other +investigators, show conclusively that mere increased +frequency of beat above the natural standard is no +evidence of increased force or efficiency in the circulation.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The more frequent beats under the influence of alcohol constitute +no exception to the general rule, for while the heart beats +more frequently, its influence on the vasomotor nerves causes +dilatation of the peripheral and systemic blood-vessels, as +proved by the pulse-line written by the sphygmograph, which +more than counterbalances the supposed increased action of the +heart. The truth is, that under the influence of alcohol in the +blood the systolic action of the heart loses in sustained force in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[Pg 80]</a></span>direct proportion to its increase in frequency, until, by simply +increasing the proportion of alcohol, the heart stops in diastole, +as perfectly paralyzed as are the coats of the smaller vessels +throughout the system. This was clearly demonstrated by the +experiments of Professor Martin of Johns Hopkins University, +to determine the effects of different proportions of alcohol on +the action of the heart of the dog; and those of Drs. Sidney +Ringer and H. Sainsbury, to determine the relative strength of +different alcohols as indicated by their influence on the heart of +the frog. Professor Martin states that blood containing ¼ per +cent. by volume of absolute alcohol, almost invariably diminishes, +within a minute, the work done by the heart.”</p></div> + +<p>(This estimate would equal in an adult man an +amount equal to the absolute alcohol in two or +three ounces of whisky or brandy.)</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“These investigations of Professor Martin, being directly +corroborated by those of Drs. Ringer and Sainsbury, complete +the series of demonstrations needed to show the actual effects +of alcohol on the cardiac, as well as on the vasomotor, and +also on the direct contractability of the muscular structure, +when supplied with blood containing all gradations in the relative +proportion of alcohol, leaving no longer any basis for the +idea, popular both in and out of the profession, that alcohol in +any of its forms is capable of increasing, even temporarily the +force or efficiency of the heart’s action.”—Dr. N. S. Davis in +<i>Influence of Alcohol On the Human System</i>.</p></div> + +<p>The following letter will be of great interest to +all students of the physiological effects of alcohol:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p style="text-align: right"> +“<span class="smcap">Chicago, Ill.</span>, March 3, 1899.<br /> +<br /></p> +<p>“To <span class="smcap">Mrs. Martha M. Allen</span>,<br /> + “Syracuse, N. Y.,<br /> +</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Madam</span>: Your letter asking my attention to the +apparent contradiction of authorities concerning the <i>work</i> done +by the heart when influenced by alcohol was received yesterday.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[Pg 81]</a></span></p> +<p>“The explanation is not difficult. It depends entirely on the +different views of what constitutes the <i>work</i> of the heart.</p> + +<p>“One class of investigators, led by the original and valuable +experiments of Parkes and Wollowicz base their estimate of +the heart’s work entirely on the <i>number of times it contracts or +beats per minute</i>. Thus Dr. Parkes, finding that moderate +doses of alcohol increased the number of contractions of the +heart from three to six beats per minute more than natural, +readily estimated the number of additional contractions that +would occur in twenty-four hours, and thereby demonstrated a +large amount of increased work done by the heart under the +influence of alcohol. All writers who speak of ‘stimulating’ or +increasing the action of the heart by alcohol follow this method +of measuring the amount of <i>work</i> done. They generally add +that it is like applying ‘the whip to a tired horse.’</p> + +<p>“The other class of investigators who claim that <i>alcohol</i> diminishes +the actual <i>work</i> done by the heart base their estimates +on the amount <i>of blood the heart passes through its cavities +into the arteries in a given time</i>. This is the physiological +function of the heart; i.e. to aid in circulating the blood. +Professor Martin’s experiments were admirably contrived to +determine, not how frequently the heart beat, but the amount of +blood it delivered per minute under the influence of alcohol and +without alcohol.</p> + +<p>“He, and all others who take this basis of work, found that +alcohol in any dose diminished the efficiency of the heart in circulating +the blood in direct ratio to the quantity taken.</p> + +<p>“My own original experiments, made fifty years ago, uniformly +showed that alcohol quickly increased the number of +heart beats per minute, but at the same time diminished the +efficiency of the circulation generally. Every experienced practitioner +knows that the weaker the <i>heart</i> becomes, the <i>faster</i> it +beats. Consequently, the number of times the heart contracts +per minute is no measure of the efficiency of its work in circula<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[Pg 82]</a></span>ting +the blood. Indeed the mechanism of the heart is such +that there must be sufficient time between each of its contractions +for its <i>cavities</i> to <i>fill</i>, or it is made to contract on an +insufficient supply, and the efficiency of the circulation is diminished.</p> + +<p> + “Yours respectfully,<br /> + “<span class="smcap">N. S. Davis</span>.”<br /><br /> +</p></div> + +<p>The International Medical Congress of 1876 +adopted as its reply to the Memorial of the National +Temperance Society, and of the National Woman’s +Christian Temperance Union respecting “Alcohol +as a Food and as a Medicine,” the paper by Dr. +Ezra M. Hunt, one conclusion of which was, “Its +use as a medicine is chiefly that of a cardiac stimulant.”</p> + +<p>As experiments conducted since that time show +that it is not a cardiac stimulant, but a direct cardiac +paralyzant, what excuse is there for using it as +a medicine now?</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Whenever the heart is compelled to more rapid contraction +than is natural, it has less time to rest. Although it seems to +be constantly at work, it really rests more than half the time, +so that, although the periods of relaxation are very short, they +are so numerous that the aggregate amount of rest in a day is +very great. Now, if the rapidity of the contractions is increased +materially and continuously, although the aggregate amount of +time for rest may be the same as before, yet the waste caused by +the contractions is greater, while the time for rest after each +one is shorter. This lack of rest produces exhaustion of the +heart-muscle, ending in partial change of the muscular tissue +into fat. The heart then becomes flabby and weak and its +walls become thinner, a condition known to physicians as a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[Pg 83]</a></span>‘fatty heart,’ often resulting in sudden death.”—<i>Tracy’s Physiology</i>, +page 158.</p></div> + +<p>Dr. T. D. Crothers, of Hartford, Conn., has made +many observations with the sphygmograph to +learn the effects of alcohol upon the heart. He +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“On general principles, and clinically, the increased activity +and subsequent diminution of the heart’s action brings no +medicinal aid or strength to combat disease. This is simply a +reckless waste of force for which there is no compensation. +Without any question or doubt the increased heart’s action, +extending over a long period, is dangerous.</p> + +<p>“The medicinal damage done by alcohol does not fall exclusively +upon the heart, although this organ may show it more +permanently than others.”—<i>Transactions of Second Annual +Meeting of A. M. T. A.</i></p></div> + +<p>Dr. I. N. Quimby, of Jersey City, N. J., in an +address before the American Medical Temperance +Association, after describing two clinical cases which +ended in death, made the following statement:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There was nothing so strange about the death of these +two patients, although they both died unexpectedly to the +physician and their friends, but the declaration I am about to +make may be somewhat new and startling, namely: That +neither of these patients, in my candid judgment, died from the +effect of disease, but rather from vasomotor paralysis of the +heart, <i>superinduced by the administration of the alcohol</i>, +which brought on a sudden and unexpected collapse and death.”</p></div> + +<p>Alcohol causes fatty degeneration of the heart +and other muscular structures. Old age also +causes these degenerations, hence alcohol is said to +produce premature aging of the body.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[Pg 84]</a></span></p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In fatty degeneration the cells and fibres of the body become +more or less changed into fat. If a muscular fibre undergoes +fatty degeneration, the particles of which it is made disappear +one by one, and particles of oil or fatty matter take +their place, so that the degree or amount of degeneration varies +according to the extent to which this change has gone on. +When the fibres of which a muscle is composed have become +thus altered by fatty degeneration they become softer according +to the amount of it; they are more easily torn and may +even tear across when the muscle is being used during life. +The more a muscle is thus degenerated the weaker it is, because +it contains less muscular substance and more fat. Not +only do the heart and other voluntary muscles thus degenerate, +but those of the arteries also.</p> + +<p>“Fatty degeneration is promoted by alcohol because alcohol +prevents the proper removal of fat, which has been seen to +accumulate in the blood; alcohol prevents the proper oxidation +or burning up of waste matters; growing cells which are affected +by the chemical influence of alcohol are not quite natural or +healthy, so are more liable to degeneration; alcohol hinders the +proper removal of waste matter from individual cells and +tissues.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. J. Ridge</span>, London.</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Newell Martin says in <i>The Human Body</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Although fatty degeneration of the heart may occur from +other causes, alcoholic indulgence is the most frequent one. +Fatty liver or fatty heart is rarely if ever curable; either will +ultimately cause death.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Ridge says these degenerations occur in the +tissues of thin people as well as in those of stout +persons. In thin people they are usually in the +fibres only, not between them.</p> + +<p>It is because of this degeneration of the heart +and other muscles caused by alcohol that athletes in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[Pg 85]</a></span>training need to be so very careful to avoid the use +of beer and other intoxicating drinks.</p> + +<p>Diseases such as fevers, diphtheria, and pneumonia +which interfere with the reception, and internal +distribution of oxygen, favor granular and fatty +degeneration of the heart and other structures of +the body. Hence non-alcoholic physicians urge that +alcohol and such other drugs, as have like action in +hindering full oxidation of the blood, and causing +fatty degenerations should be studiously avoided. +These physicians attribute many of the deaths from +heart-failure in such diseases to the combined action +of the disease and the alcohol in exhausting the +heart, and weakening its structure.</p> + +<p><i>Comparative death-rates with and without alcohol +show conclusively the superiority of the latter treatment.</i></p> + + +<h4>EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL UPON THE LIVER.</h4> + +<p>The liver is a very large organ, the largest and +heaviest in the body, weighing in a healthy adult +from three to four pounds. It secretes the bile. +Its cells also store up, “in the form of a kind of +animal starch called glycogen,” excess of starchy or +sugary food absorbed from the intestine during the +digestion of a meal. This it gradually doles out +to the blood for general use by the organs of the +body until the next meal is eaten.</p> + +<p>Dr. William Hargreaves says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The office of the liver is to take up new substances having +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[Pg 86]</a></span>not yet become blood, as well as the portions of integrated +matter that can be worked over, and brought again into use. +It is in fact the economist of the system. It excretes bile, and +liver-sugar, and <i>renews</i> the <i>blood</i>. When the liver is disordered +the whole body is more or less deranged and the proper +nutrition of its parts arrested.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Alfred Carpenter says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The liver has to do several things; a considerable part of its +duty is to purify the blood from <i>débris</i> (waste matter), to filter +out some things, to break up and alter others, and to expel +them from the body in the form of bile. There are certain diseases +in which the liver suddenly declines to do any more work. +Acute atrophy of the liver is the name of this condition, and +when it arises death rapidly results from suppression of the secretion +of bile. It brings about a state of things called <i>acholia</i>; +the patient is actually poisoned by the non-removal of those ingredients +from the blood which it is the duty of the liver to remove. +This corresponds in effect to the condition which alcohol +can bring about by slow degrees.”</p></div> + +<p>The liver is the first important organ, next to the +stomach and bowels, to receive the poisonous influence +of alcohol.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“If alcohol is used habitually, though only in small quantities +at a time, the liver may become the seat of serious changes. +There may be a great increase of fat deposited in the cells, +producing what is called ‘fatty liver,’ or it may lead to a great +increase of connective tissue (membrane) between the cells, and +surrounding the blood-vessels. This newly-developed connective +tissue gradually contracts, and in so doing crushes the +cells and obstructs the blood-vessels, making the organ much +smaller than natural, and causing the surface to be covered +with little projecting knobs, consisting of portions of liver-tissue +that have been less compressed than the part that separates +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[Pg 87]</a></span>them. The pressure upon the liver-cells and the destruction of +many of them, prevents the proper formation of bile and liver-sugar. +The contraction of the newly-developed tissue, by obstructing +the blood-vessels, interferes with the circulation. +Malt liquors seem to produce fatty degeneration, while the +stronger liquors cause the development of connective tissue.”—<i>Tracy’s +Physiology.</i></p></div> + +<p>Speaking of diseases of the liver, Dr. Trotter said +in his <i>Essay on Drunkenness</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The chronic species is not a painful disease; it is slow in +its progress, and frequently gives no alarm, till some incurable +affection is the consequence. Hence, the fallacy and danger of +judging merely by the feelings of the beneficial effects of the +use of intoxicating drinks; for the liver and stomach may be +seriously diseased, while a man imagines himself in moderate +health.”</p></div> + +<p>Hardening of the liver, or “hob-nailed” liver, is +said to be the result, largely, of taking liquor upon +an empty stomach. Dr. E. Chenery, of Boston, in +his excellent book, <i>Facts for the Millions</i>, tells of a +patient of his who was well up to the evening before, +when he went out and drank with some companions, +taking the liquor on an empty stomach. +That night, vomiting and pain in the right side +came on, with high fever. Headache began and increased, +followed by delirium and a general jaundiced +condition. He died as a result. The disease +was acute inflammation of the liver, brought on by +the one broadside of alcohol poured “point blank” +into the organ.</p> + +<p>Dr. Chenery says further on in the same book:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[Pg 88]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is another disorder of a very serious nature which +science is now laying at the doors of the liver—<i>diabetes mellitus</i>, +or sugar in the urine. Till quite recently, this formidable affection +has been regarded as having its seat in the kidneys; +and it is so classified in medical writings. Later researches, +however, show that the sugar has been formed in the economy +before it reaches the kidneys, and that these organs act only as +strainers with respect to it, removing it from the blood as they +remove salt and various other substances. In seeking for the +fountain-head of diabetic sugar, it is found that the liver is the +great glycogenic, or sugar-originating factory of the body. In +an ordinary state of health this substance is produced in just +the proper amount for the uses for which it is intended, so that +it is all disposed of in the organism, and does not pass off by +the kidneys. If any cause interrupts the processes by which +the sugar is consumed, while its manufacture goes on normally, +there will come to be an over-supply of sugar in the blood, +which, when it reaches 3 parts to 1,000 of the blood, will begin +to pass off by the kidneys and appear in the urine. On the +other hand, if an undue amount of it is formed, the consumption +remaining normal, it will also accumulate in the circulation, and +be eliminated by the kidneys. In either case we have diabetes, +the sugar irritating and diseasing the kidneys as it passes.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Harley, of the Royal Society of London, has +made the subject of alcohol and diabetes matter for +considerable study. He says a small quantity only +of alcohol injected into the portal (liver) circulation +of healthy animals will cause diabetic urine.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“If any one doubt the truth of the assertion that alcohol +causes diabetes, let him select a case of that form of the disease +arising from excessive formation, and after having carefully estimated +the daily amount of sugar eliminated by the patient, +allow him to drink a few glasses of wine, and watch the result. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[Pg 89]</a></span>He will soon find the ingestion of the liquor is followed by an +increase of sugar. If alcoholics increase the amount of saccharine +matter in the urine of the diabetic, we can easily understand +how their excessive use may induce the disease in +individuals <i>predisposed</i> to it.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Harley.</span></p></div> + +<p>Some physicians claim that in jaundice and certain +other bilious disorders even medicines prepared +in alcohol are decidedly prejudicial and aggravating.</p> + +<p>Dr. J. H. Kellogg, and other writers draw attention +to the effects of alcohol in hindering the liver +in its duty of destroying the toxic substances generated +within the system of a sick person by the +specific microbes to which the disease owes its +origin, saying that the activity of the liver in destroying +these poisons is one of the physiologic +processes which stand between the patient and +death.</p> + +<p>The more this question is studied the more apparent +is it that, other things being equal, the sick +person who is cared for by a non-alcoholic physician +has a much better chance of recovery than the +one dosed by “a brandy doctor.”</p> + + +<h4>EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL UPON THE KIDNEYS.</h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The kidneys, being the chief organs for the excretion of +nitrogen waste, are among the most important organs of the +body. Any defect in their healthy activity leads to serious interference +with the working of many organs, due to the accumulation +in the body of nitrogenous waste products. If both +kidneys be cut out of an animal, it dies in a few hours from +blood-poisoning, due to the accumulation of waste poisonous +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[Pg 90]</a></span>substances which the kidneys should have got rid of. Serious +kidney-disease amounts to pretty much the same thing as cutting +out the organs, since they are of little use if not healthy. +It is always fatal if not checked, and often kills in a short time. +The things which most frequently cause kidney disease are undue +exposure to cold, and indulgence in alcoholic drinks.”—Martin’s <i>Human Body</i>.</p> + +<p>“The kidneys are supplied with arterial blood, which, having +given up water, urea, salt, and certain other substances, either +secreted or simply strained from it, returns to the kidneys +nearly as bright and fresh as when it entered them. While the +lungs are concerned in removing carbonic acid—the ashes of +the furnace—it is the peculiar province of the kidneys to remove +the products of the wear and tear of the bodily machinery—the +wasted nerve and muscle—in the form of urea, or other crystallizable +substances, the presence of which in the economy for +any considerable time is attended with disastrous results.</p> + +<p>“Now, nature has put these organs, charged with so important +work, as far away as possible from any source of irritation. +Could alcohol get as direct access to them as to the liver, there +is no doubt that their function would be destroyed almost at +once, since the change in arterial blood by alcohol is much +more extensive and damaging than that wrought in such venous +blood as the liver receives from the portal veins. Thus while +the liver takes the alcohol immediately from the alimentary +canal, the kidneys receive it only after it has passed through +the liver, the heart, the lungs, and the heart again; by which +time much of it has escaped, while the remainder has been +greatly diluted by the blood of the general circulation; yet coming +to the kidneys even so considerably diluted, it has power to +congest, irritate, and excite them to the excretion of an unusual +amount of the watery elements of the urine, as if to wash the +irritant away.</p> + +<p>“But it is only the watery element that is increased, not the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[Pg 91]</a></span>urea, which is the substance representing the waste of vital +action, and is a poison to the system; this it is the special office of +the kidneys to remove. Not only does alcohol not increase +its elimination, but actually lessens the discharge. And should +the irritation of the spirit continue, or be augmented in force, +inflammation would follow, and the excretion of urea nearly or +entirely cease and life be in the greatest jeopardy. Relief or +death then must speedily follow.”—Dr. E. Chenery, of Boston, +in <i>Alcohol Inside Out</i>.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol causes kidney-disease in several ways. In the first +place it unduly excites the activity of the organs. Next, by +impeding oxidation it interferes with the proper preparation of +nitrogen wastes: they are brought to the kidneys in an unfit +state for removal, and injure those organs. Third, when more +than a small quantity of alcohol is taken, some of it is passed +out of the body unchanged, through the kidneys, and injures +their substance. The kidney-disease most commonly produced +by alcohol is one kind of “Bright’s disease,” so called +from the physician who first described it. The connective +tissue of the organ grows in excess, and the true excreting +kidney-substance dwindles away. At last the organ becomes +quite unable to do its work, and death results.</p> + +<p>“The three most common causes of Bright’s disease are an +acute illness, as scarlet fever, of which it is a frequent result; +sudden exposure to cold when warm (this often drives blood in +excessive quantity from the skin to internal organs, and leads +to kidney-disease); and the habitual drinking of alcoholic +liquids.”—Dr. Newell Martin in <i>The Human Body</i>.</p> + +<p>“Every physician knows or should know, that the quantity +and quality of the effete, or waste, material separated from the +blood by the kidneys and voided in the urine, is such as to +render a knowledge of the action of any remedy or drink on +the function of these organs, of the greatest importance in the +treatment of all diseases, and especially those of an acute febrile +character. As was long since demonstrated by clinical obser<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[Pg 92]</a></span>vation, +and more recently by patient and accurate experiments +by Bouchard and others, the amount of toxic, or poisonous, +material naturally separated from the blood by the kidneys and +passed out in the urine is so great that if wholly retained by +failure of the kidneys to act for two or three days, speedy +death ensues. Equally familiar to every observing physician is +the fact that in all the acute febrile and inflammatory diseases, +not only is the quantity of the urine secreted generally diminished, +but its quality or constituency is also changed to a +greater degree than even its quantity. Thus, some of the more +important constituents are increased, others diminished, and +often new or foreign elements are found present, all resulting +from the disordered metabolic processes taking place throughout +the system during the progress of these diseases.</p> + +<p>“It is, therefore, hardly necessary to remind the physician +that it is of the greatest importance to know as correctly as +possible both the direct and the indirect influence of every +medicine or drink on the action of the kidneys and all other +eliminating organs and structures, lest he unwittingly allow the +use of such as may not only retard the elimination of the specific +causes of disease, but also favor auto-intoxication by retarding +the elimination of the natural elements of excretion.</p> + +<p>“That the presence of alcohol in the living system positively +lessens the reception and internal distribution of oxygen, and +consequently retards the oxidation processes of disassimilation +by which the various products for excretion are perfected and +their elimination facilitated, is so fully demonstrated, both by +observation and experiment, as no longer to admit of doubt.</p> + +<p>“As nearly all the toxic elements of urine are the results of +these oxidation processes, the presence of alcohol in the system +could hardly fail to interfere with them in a notable degree.</p> + +<p>“The direct and somewhat extensive series of experiments +instituted by Glazer, as published in the <i>Deut. Med. Wochensch.</i>, +Leipsic, Oct. 22, 1891, demonstrated this, as shown by +the following conclusions:—‘Alcohol, in even relatively moder<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[Pg 93]</a></span>ate +quantities, irritates the kidneys, so that the exudation of leucocytes +and the formation of cylindrical casts may occur. It +also produces an unusual amount of uric acid crystals and oxalates, +due to the modified tissue changes produced by the alcohol. +The effect of a single act of over-indulgence in alcohol does not +last more than thirty-six hours, but it is cumulative under continued +use.’</p> + +<p>“Dr. Chittenden kept several dogs under the influence of +alcohol eight or ten days, and found it to increase the amount +of uric acid in their urine more than 100 per cent. above the +normal proportion.</p> + +<p>“Mohilansky, house-physician to Manassein’s clinic, in the +conclusions drawn from his interesting experiments on fifteen +young men to determine the effects of alcohol on the metabolic +processes generally, stated that ‘it does not possess any diuretic +action: but rather tends to inhibit the elimination of water +by the kidneys.’ It is further stated that this result is owing to +the coincident effect of diminished systemic oxidation and of +blood pressure.</p> + +<p>“On the other hand, several observers have reported that the +flow of urine was increased by the use of alcohol. From as +full an examination of the subject as I have been able to make, +it appears that the diverse results obtained have depended upon +the previous habits of those experimented on, and the widely +varying quantities of water drank with the alcohol. When the +alcohol is taken with large quantities of water, as is usual with +those who use beer and fermented drinks generally, the total +amount of urine passed is usually increased, but not more than +is found to result from taking the same quantity of water without +any alcohol. When alcoholic drinks are taken by those +already habituated to its use, it has less marked effect on the +quantity and quality of the urine than when taken by those who +had previously been total abstainers. This was illustrated by +the experiments of Mohilansky on the fifteen men, some of whom +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[Pg 94]</a></span>were habitual drinkers, some occasional drinkers, and others +total abstainers. When all were subjected to the same diet and +drinks, with alcohol, in two the daily amount of urine voided remained +unaltered, in five it was increased seven per cent., and in +eight it decreased twelve per cent. But whatever may be the variations +in the mere quantity of urine voided under the influence +of alcohol, the alterations in quality pretty uniformly show an +increase in the products of imperfect internal metamorphosis or +oxidation, such as uric acid, oxalates, casts, leucocytes, albumen +and potassium, with less of the normal products, as urea and +salts of sodium.</p> + +<p>“During the past year I have met with three cases in which +the regular daily use of alcoholic drinks for several months, in +quantities not sufficient to produce intoxication, had so altered +the blood, and the renal function, that the urine contained both +casts and albumen, and some degree of œdema was observable +in the face and extremities. These changes were so marked as +to justify a diagnosis of incipient nephritis, or Bright’s disease. +Yet after totally abstaining from the use of alcoholic drinks +and remedies, and taking such vasomotor tonics as strychnine +and digitalis, with a regulated diet and fresh air, they completely +recovered.</p> + +<p>“When it is remembered that in diphtheria, pneumonia and +typhoid fever, the acute diseases in which a large part of the +profession administer most freely alcoholic remedies, the function +of the kidney is altered in almost the same direction as are +found to take place under the influence of alcohol, it should +certainly cause every practitioner to pause and critically review +the pathological basis on which he has been prescribing. An +anæsthetic, like alcohol, may certainly render a patient with +diphtheria, pneumonia or typhoid fever more quiet, and cause +him to say he feels better, but if it at the same time diminishes +the internal distribution of oxygen, retards the oxidation and +elimination of waste and toxic products through the kidneys +and lungs, and lessens vasomotor force, it cannot fail to pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[Pg 95]</a></span>tract +the duration of disease, and increase the ratio of mortality.”—Dr. +N. S. Davis, <i>A. M. T. A. Quarterly</i>, April, 1894.</p></div> + +<p>Dr. J. H. Kellogg, by a series of carefully executed +experiments, conclusively demonstrated that alcohol +hinders the elimination of poisonous matter by the +kidneys. This property of alcohol is one of the +objections which he sees to its use as a medicine. +He says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Water applied externally stimulates elimination by the +pores of the skin, and employed freely internally by water +drinking, and enemas to be retained for absorption, aids liver +and kidney activity. If the patient dies it is because his liver +and kidneys have failed to destroy and eliminate the poisons +generated with sufficient rapidity to prevent their producing +fatal mischief in the body.”</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[Pg 96]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VI" id="CHAPTER_VI"></a>CHAPTER VI.</h2> + +<h3>ALCOHOL AS A MEDICINE.</h3> + + +<p>Although nearly all of the foremost scientific investigators +of the effects of alcohol upon the body +have lost faith in the old views of the usefulness of +alcoholic liquors as remedial agencies a considerable +proportion of the medical profession do not seem +yet to have learned how to treat disease without recourse +to the alcohol therapy. This is largely due to +the fact that the new thought has not yet crystallized +to any large extent in the medical text-books, and also +to the widely variant views held by professors of +medicine.</p> + +<p>The medical use of alcohol has been, and still is, +the great bulwark of the liquor traffic. The user of +alcoholics as beverages always excuses himself, if +hard pressed by abstainers, upon the ground that +they must be of service or doctors would not recommend +them so frequently. In all prohibitory +amendment, and no-license campaigns, the cry of +“Useful as Medicine” has been the hardest for +temperance workers to meet, for they have felt +that they had to admit the statement as true, knowing +nothing to the contrary. Indeed, thousands of +those who advocate the prohibition of the sale of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[Pg 97]</a></span>liquor as a beverage, use alcohol in some form quite +freely as medicine, and are as determined and +earnest in defence of their favorite “tipple” as any +old toper could well be. Many use it in the guise +of cordials, tonics, bitters, restoratives and the +thousand and one nostrums guaranteed to cure all +ills to which human flesh is heir.</p> + +<p>The wide-spread belief in the necessity and +efficacy of alcoholics as remedies is the greatest +hindrance to the success of the temperance cause. +It is impossible to convince the mass of the people +that what is life-giving as medicine can be death-dealing +as beverage. The two stand, or fall, +together. Hence there is no more important question +before the medical profession, and the people +generally, than that of the action of alcohol in disease, +and, as a goodly number of the most distinguished +and successful physicians of Europe and +America declare it to be harmful rather than +helpful, it behooves thoughtful people to carefully +study the reasons they assign for holding +such an opinion. Certainly it is true that if physicians +and people would all adopt the views of the +advocates of non-alcoholic medication the temperance +problem would be solved, and the greatest +source of disease, crime, pauperism, insanity and +misery would be driven from the face of the earth.</p> + +<p>To understand the arguments advanced in favor +of non-alcoholic medication it is needful to make +some study of the effects of alcohol upon the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[Pg 98]</a></span>body, and of the purposes for which alcoholics are +prescribed medically.</p> + +<p><i>Alcohol is used in sickness as a food, when solid +foods cannot be assimilated, “to support” or sustain, +the vitality; it is used as a stimulant, a tonic, a +sedative or narcotic, an anti-spasmodic, an antiseptic +and antipyretic; it is used in combination with +other drugs, in tinctures and in pharmacy.</i> It is +not wonderful that the people esteem it above all +other drugs, for none other is so variously and so +generally employed. Those who discard it as a +remedy teach that only in human delusions is it a +food or a stimulant, and for the other uses to +which it is put, outside of pharmacy, there are +different agents which may be more satisfactorily +employed.</p> + + +<h4>IS ALCOHOL FOOD?</h4> + +<p>So well agreed are all the scientific investigators +that alcohol has no appreciable food value that it +would seem foolish to spend time upon a discussion +of alcohol as food were it not that the idea of its +“supporting the vitality” in disease, in some +mysterious way is deeply rooted in the professional, +as well as the popular mind.</p> + +<p><i>Foods are substances which, when taken into the +body, undergo change by the process of digestion; +they give strength and heat and force; they build +up the tissues of the body, and make blood; and +they induce healthy, normal action of all the bodily +functions.</i><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[Pg 99]</a></span></p> + +<p>Alcohol does none of these. It undergoes no +change in the stomach, but is rapidly absorbed and +mixed with the blood, and has been discovered +hours after its ingestion in the brain, blood and +tissues, unchanged alcohol. In many of the experiments +made with it upon animals, considerable +quantities of the amount swallowed were recovered +from the excretions of the body, without any +change having taken place in its composition. +This, of itself, is sufficient evidence to show that it +is a substance which the body does not recognize +as a food.</p> + +<p><i>Foods build up the tissues of the body.</i> All physiologists +are agreed that since alcohol contains no +nitrogen it cannot be a tissue-forming food; there +is no difference of opinion here. Dr. Lionel Beale, +the eminent physiologist, says that alcohol is not a +food and does not nourish the tissues.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is nothing in alcohol with which any part of the body +can be nourished.”—Cameron’s <i>Manual of Hygiene</i>.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol contains no nitrogen; it has none of the qualities +of the structure-building foods; it is incapable of being transformed +into any of them; it does not supply caseine, albumen, +fibrine or any other of those substances which go to build up +the muscles, nerves and other active organs.”—<span class="smcap">Sir B. W. +Richardson.</span></p> + +<p>“It is not demonstrable that alcohol undergoes conversion +into tissue.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. W. A. Hammond.</span></p></div> + +<p>If it is a food why do all writers and experimenters +exclude it from the diet of children, and why is +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[Pg 100]</a></span>the caution always given people to not take it upon +an empty stomach? Foods are supposed to be +particularly suited to an empty stomach.</p> + +<p><i>Foods induce healthy, normal action of all the bodily +functions.</i></p> + +<p>The chapter upon “Diseases Produced by Alcohol” +is evidence that by this test alcohol shows +up in its true nature as a poison, and not a food. +Alcohol destroys healthy normal action of all the +bodily functions, and builds up impure fat, fatty +degeneration, instead of strong, firm muscle. Dr. +Parkes, one of the most famous of English students +of alcohol, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“These alcoholic degenerations are certainly not confined to +the notoriously intemperate. I have seen them in women accustomed +to take wine in quantities not excessive, and who +would have been shocked at the imputation that they were +taking too much, although the result proved that for them it +was excess.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Ezra M. Hunt, late secretary of New Jersey +State Board of Health, remarks:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The question of excess occurs in sickness as well as in +health, and all the more because its determination is so difficult +and the evil effects so indisputable. The dividing line in medicine, +even between use and abuse, is so zigzag and invisible that +common mortals, in groping for it, generally stumble beyond it, +and the delicate perception of medical art too often fails in the +recognition.”</p></div> + +<p>All non-alcoholic writers assert that the continuous +use of alcohol as a medicine is equally injurious +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[Pg 101]</a></span>to all the bodily functions as the employment of it +as a beverage. Calling it medicine does not change +its deadly nature, nor does the medical attendant +possess any magical power by which a destructive +poison may be converted into a restorative agent.</p> + +<p>Dr. Noble, writing recently to the <i>London Times</i>, +said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The internal use of alcohol in disease is as injurious as in +health.”</p></div> + +<p>Since foods induce healthy, normal action of all +the bodily functions, and alcohol injures every organ +of the body in direct proportion to the amount consumed, +by this test it is proved to not be a food.</p> + +<p><i>Foods give strength.</i> Alcohol weakens the body. +This has been determined again and again by experiments +upon gangs of workmen and regiments +of soldiers. These experiments always resulted in +showing that upon the days when the men were +supplied with liquor they could neither use their +muscles so powerfully, nor for so long a time, as on +the days when they received no alcoholic drink. +Of the results of such tests Sir Andrew Clark, late +Physician to Queen Victoria, said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It is capable of proof beyond all possibility of question that +alcohol not only does not help work but is a serious hinderer +of work.”</p></div> + +<p>So satisfied are generals in the British army of +the weakening effect of alcohol that its use is now +forbidden to soldiers when any considerable call is +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[Pg 102]</a></span>to be made upon their strength. The latest example +of this was in the recent Soudan campaign +under Sir Herbert Kitchener. An order was issued +by the War Department that not a drop of intoxicating +liquor was to be allowed in camp save for +hospital use. The army made phenomenal forced +marches through the desert, under a burning sun +and in a climate famous for its power to kill the +unacclimated. It is said that never before was +there a British campaign occasioning so little sickness +and showing so much endurance. Some +Greek merchants ran a large consignment of liquors +through by the Berber-Suakim route, but Sir Herbert +had them emptied upon the sand of the desert. +A reporter telegraphed to England:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The men are in magnificent condition and in great spirits. +They are as hard as nails, and in a recent desert march of +fifteen miles, with manœuvring instead of halts, the whole lasting +for five continuous hours, not a single man fell out!”</p></div> + +<p>This was in decided contrast to the march in the +African war some years before when, as they passed +through a malarial district, and a dram was served, +men fell out by dozens. Dr. Parkes, one of the +medical officers, prevailed upon the commander-in-chief +to not allow any more alcoholic drams while +the troops were marching to Kumassi.</p> + +<p>Experiments in lifting weights have also been +tried upon men by careful investigators. In every +case it was found that even beer, and very dilute +solutions of alcohol, would diminish the height to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[Pg 103]</a></span>which the lifted weight could be raised. As an illustration +of the deceptive power of alcohol upon +people under its influence, it is said that persons +experimented upon were under the impression, after +the drink, that they could do more work, and do it +more easily, although the testing-machine showed +exactly the contrary to be true.</p> + +<p>Athletes and their trainers have learned by experience +that alcohol does not give strength, but is, +in reality, a destroyer of muscular power. No careful +trainer will allow a candidate for athletic honors +to drink even beer, not to speak of stronger liquors. +When Sullivan, the once famous pugilist, was defeated +by Corbett, he said in lamenting his lost +championship, “It was the <i>booze</i> did it”; meaning +that he had violated training rules, and used liquor. +University teams and crews have proved substantially +that drinking men are absolutely no good in +sports, or upon the water. Football and baseball +teams, anxious to excel, are beginning to have a +cast-iron temperance pledge for their members. So +practical experience of those competing in tests of +strength and endurance teach eloquently that +alcohol does not give strength, but rather weakens +the body, by rendering the muscles flabby.</p> + +<p>Sandow, the modern Samson, wrote his methods +of training in one of the magazines a few years ago, +and stated that he used no alcoholic beverages. +The ancient Samson was not allowed to taste even +wine from birth.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[Pg 104]</a></span></p> + +<p>A question worthy of serious consideration is: +how are the sick to be strengthened and “supported” +by drinks which athletes are warned to +specially shun as weakening to the body? Either +the sick are mistakenly advised, or the athletes are +in error. Which seems the more likely?</p> + +<p>Dr. Richardson says in <i>Lectures on Alcohol</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I would earnestly impress that the systematic administration +of alcohol for the purpose of giving and sustaining strength is +an entire delusion.”</p></div> + +<p>In another place he says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Never let this be forgotten in thinking of strong drink: that +the drink is strong only to destroy; that it never by any possibility +adds strength to those who drink it.”</p></div> + +<p>Sir William Gull, late physician to the Prince of +Wales, said before a Select Committee of the House +of Lords on Intemperance:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is a great feeling in society that strong wine and +other strong drinks give strength. A large number of people +have fallen into that error, and fall into it every day.”</p></div> + +<p>Any unprejudiced person can readily see that experience +and experiment unite in testifying that +alcohol does not give strength, hence differs radically +from most substances commonly classed as +foods. Yet millions of dollars are spent annually +by deluded people upon supposedly strength-giving +drinks, and thousands of the sick are ignorantly, or +carelessly, advised to take beer or wine to make +them strong and to <i>support</i> them when solid food +cannot be assimilated. Truly, “My people is destroyed +for lack of knowledge.”<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[Pg 105]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Foods give force to the body.</i></p> + +<p>Dr. Richardson says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“We learn in respect to alcohol that the temporary excitement +is produced at the expense of the animal matter and +animal force, and that the ideas of the necessity of resorting +to it as a food, to build up the body or to lift up the forces of +the body, are ideas as solemnly false as they are widely disseminated.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Benjamin Brodie says in <i>Physiological Inquiries</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Stimulants do not create nerve power: they merely enable +you, as it were, to use up that which is left.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. E. Smith:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is no evidence that it increases nervous influence, +while there is much evidence that it lessens nervous power.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Wm. Hargreaves, of Philadelphia:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It is sometimes said by the advocates and defenders of +alcohol, that by its use force is generated more abundantly. +This it certainly cannot do, as it does not furnish anything to +feed the blood or to store up nourishment to replenish the +expenditure. For by their own theory, the increase of action +must cause an increase of wear and tear; hence alcohol +instead of sustaining life or vitality, must cause a direct waste +or expenditure of <i>vital force</i>.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Auguste Forel, of Switzerland:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“All alcoholic liquors are poisons, and especially brain-poisons, +and their use shortens life. They cannot therefore be +regarded as sources of nourishment or force. They should be +resisted as much as opium, morphia, cocaine, hashish and +the like.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[Pg 106]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. W. F. Pechuman, of Detroit, in his valuable +little treatise, <i>Alcohol—Is it a Medicine?</i> says +clearly:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“When alcohol or any other irritant poison is put into the +system, the conservative vital force, recognizing it as an enemy, +at once makes an effort through the living matter to rid the +system of the offender;—the heart increases in action and new +strength seems to appear. Now, right here is where the great +mass of people and a large number of physicians are deluded. +They mistake the extra effort of the vital force to preserve the +body against harmful agencies for an actual increase in +strength as the result of the agent given; we wonder that they +can be so blind as not to see the reaction which invariably +occurs soon after the administration of their so-called stimulant.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. F. R. Lees, of England:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“All poisons lessen vitality and deteriorate the ultimate +tissue in which force is reposited. Alcohol is an agent, the +sole, perpetual and inevitable effects of which are to avert +blood development, to retain waste matter, to irritate mucous +and other tissues, to thicken normal juices, to impede digestion, +to deaden nervous sensibility, to lower animal heat, to +kill molecular life, <i>and to waste, through the excitement it +creates in heart and head, the grand controlling forces of the +nerves and brain</i>.”</p></div> + +<p>If alcohol is a destroyer of bodily force, as any +ordinary observer of drinking men can readily see, +it is a problem beyond solving, how it is going to +give force to, or sustain vitality in, the patient +hovering between life and death. Too often has it +been the means of hastening into eternity those +who, but for its mistaken use, might have recovered +from the illness affecting <a name="Page_106t" id="Page_106t"></a><a href="#Page_106tn">them</a>.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[Pg 107]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>Food gives heat to the body.</i></p> + +<p>Alcohol does not, but really robs the body of its +natural warmth. This finding of science was received +with the utmost incredulity when first +presented to the medical world, but the invention +of the clinical thermometer settled it beyond controversy. +It is now believed by all but a very few +of those who have knowledge of the physiological +effects of alcohol. While Dr. N. S. Davis, of +Chicago, was the first to demonstrate this fact, it +was Dr. B. W. Richardson, of England, who succeeded +in putting it prominently before the attention +of physicians.</p> + +<p>The normal temperature of the human body is a +little over 98 degrees by Fahrenheit’s thermometer. +If the temperature is found to be much above or +below 98 degrees the person is considered out of +health; indeed by this condition alone physicians +are able to detect serious forms of disease. By the +use of the clinical thermometer, placed under the +tongue, it is easy to determine what agents acting +upon the body will cause the temperature to vary +from the natural standard. When alcohol is swallowed +there is at first a decided feeling of warmth +induced; if the temperature be taken now it will +be found that in a person unaccustomed to alcohol +the warmth may be raised half a degree; in one +accustomed to alcohol the warmth may be raised +a full degree, or even a degree and a half beyond +the natural standard. But this warmth is only +temporary, and is soon succeeded by chilliness.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[Pg 108]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Richardson says in his <i>Temperance Lesson +Book</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The sense of warmth occurs in the following way: When +the alcohol enters the body, and by the blood-vessels is conveyed +to all parts of the body, it reduces the nervous power of the +small blood-vessels which are spread out through the whole of +the surface of the skin. In their weakened state these vessels +are unable duly to resist the course of blood which is coming +into them from the heart under its stroke. The result is that +an excess of warm blood fresh from the heart is thrown into +these fine vessels, which causes the skin to become flushed and +red as it is seen to be after wine or other strong drink has +been swallowed and sent through the body. So, as there is +now more warm blood in the skin than is natural to it, a sense +of increased warmth is felt. The skin of the body is the most +sensitive of substances and the sense of warmth through, or +over the whole surface of the skin is conveyed from it to the +brain and nervous centres of the body, by which we are enabled +to feel.</p> + +<p>“The warmth of surface which seems to be imparted by +alcohol, only <i>seems</i> to be imparted. Positively the warmth is +not imparted by the alcohol, but is set free by it.</p> + +<p>“In a short time the sense of warmth is succeeded by a feeling +of slight chilliness. Unless the person is in a very warm +room, or has recently partaken of food, the thermometer will +now show a decided decrease in temperature, reaching often to +a degree. Should the person go out into a cold air, and +especially should he go into a cold air while badly supplied with +food, the fall of temperature may reach to two degrees below the +natural standard of bodily heat. In this state he easily takes +cold, and in frosty weather readily contracts congestion of the +lungs, and that disease which is known as bronchitis. If the +person drinks to drunkenness his temperature will be found to +be from two and a half to three degrees below the natural +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[Pg 109]</a></span>standard. It takes from two to three days, under the most +favorable circumstances, for the animal warmth to become +steadily re-established after a drunken spree.</p> + +<p>“The excitement of the mind in the early stages of drunkenness +is not natural; it is exhaustive of the bodily powers, and +exhaustive for no useful purpose whatever. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“As nothing has been supplied by the alcohol to keep up the +supply of heat the vital energy is rapidly exhausted, and if the +person is exposed to cold, the exhaustion becomes extreme, +sometimes fatal. All great consumers of alcohol are chillier +during winter than are abstainers, and as they labor under the +delusion that they must take wine or ale or spirits to keep +them warm, they keep on making matters worse by constantly +resorting to their enemy for relief.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Newell Martin makes this very clear in his +physiology, <i>The Human Body</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Our feeling of being warm depends on the nerves of the +skin. We have no nerves which tell us whether heart or +muscles or brain, are warmer or cooler. These inside parts +are always hotter than the skin, and if blood which has been +made hot in them flows in large quantity to the skin, we feel +warmer because the skin is heated. As alcoholic drinks make +more blood flow through the skin, they often make a man feel +warmer. But their actual effect upon the temperature of the +whole body is to lower it. The more blood that flows through +the skin, the more heat is given off from the body to the air, +and the more blood, so cooled, is sent back to the internal +organs. The consequence is that alcohol, in proportion to the +amount taken, cools the body as a whole, though it may for a +time heat the skin.”</p></div> + +<p>If other evidence that alcohol is not heat-producing +in the body were necessary it could be found in +the fact that the products of combustion are de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[Pg 110]</a></span>creased +when it is present in the body. The +quantity of carbonic acid exhaled by the breath is +proportionately diminished with the decline of +animal heat.</p> + +<p>Arctic explorers learned by experience what +science discovered by experiment. Dr. Hayes, the +explorer, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“While fresh animal food, and especially fat, is absolutely +essential to the inhabitants and travelers in Arctic countries, +alcohol, in almost any shape, is not only completely useless, but +positively injurious.”</p></div> + +<p>Lieutenant Johnson, who accompanied Nansen +upon his northern expedition, said, when interviewed +by a reporter of the London <i>Daily News</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The common opinion that alcohol becomes in some way a +necessity in cold countries is entirely a mistaken one. This +has been conclusively proved by the expedition. In making up +his list of the <i>Fram’s</i> equipments, Nansen did not include +any spirits, with the exception of some spirits of wine for lamps +and stoves.”</p></div> + +<p>In the list of stores taken upon the long sledging +expedition after leaving the <i>Fram</i> no liquors are +mentioned. See <i>Farthest North</i>, by Nansen. The +omission of spirits was not because of any “temperance +fanaticism,” but because the experience of +former Arctic expeditions had shown clearly that +men freeze more readily after partaking of alcohol +than when they totally abstain from it.</p> + +<p>That wine is not a fuel-food was shown conclusively +in the Franco-Prussian war during the siege +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[Pg 111]</a></span>of Paris. Food was scarce in the French Army, +and wine was liberally supplied. The men complained +bitterly of the extreme chilliness which +affected them. Dr. Klein, a French staff surgeon, +was reported in the <i>Medical Temperance Journal</i> of +England, October 1873, as saying of this:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“We found most decidedly that alcohol was no substitute for +bread and meat. We also found that it was no substitute for +coals. We of the army had to sleep outside Paris on the frozen +ground. We had plenty of alcohol, but it did not make us +warm. Let me tell you there is nothing that will make you +feel the cold more, nothing which will make you feel the dreadful +sense of hunger more, than alcohol.”</p></div> + +<p>There is no evidence against alcohol stronger +than that which shows it to be not heat-producing, +as commonly believed, but a reducer of heat in the +body. Indeed, this question of bodily temperature +is used in recent times to decide whether a man +who has fallen upon the street is troubled by apoplexy, +or influenced by alcoholism. If the clinical +<a name="Page_111t" id="Page_111t"></a><a href="#Page_111tn">thermometer</a> shows the temperature to be above +normal, it is apoplexy; if below normal, it is alcoholism.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Alcohol is clearly proved to be not a fuel-food, for if it were +it would enable the body to resist cold, instead of making it +colder; and in the extreme degrees of cold it would go on +burning like other fuel-foods, and would maintain, instead of +helping to destroy, life.”—Richardson’s <i>Lesson Book</i>.</p></div> + +<p>Yet because it creates a glow of warmth in the +skin immediately after drinking it, thousands of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[Pg 112]</a></span>people will discredit all evidence that it is a reducer +of bodily heat. Clinical thermometers, and after-sensations +of chilliness, are unheeded, for “Wine is +a mocker,” and multitudes are willing to be deceived +by it.</p> + +<p>So, also, with the conclusions against it as a +strengthening agent; because it dulls the sense of +hunger and of fatigue, those who crave it will declare +in the face of all scientific testimony that it +strengthens them, and takes the place of food. +They will cite, too, the cases of people who “lived +upon whisky” during an illness of greater or less +duration. Of the sustaining of life upon alcohol +only, Dr. N. S. Davis has said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The falsity of all such stories is made apparent by the fact +that nineteen-twentieths of all the alcoholic drinks given to the +sick are given in connection with sugar, milk, eggs or meat-broths, +which furnish the nutriment, and would support the +patients better if given with the same perseverance without the +alcohol than with it. While we have quite a number of examples +of men living on nothing but water forty or fifty days, I +have never seen or learned of a well-authenticated case of a +man’s taking or receiving into his system nothing but alcohol +for half of that length of time, without becoming sick with either +gastro-duodenitis, nephritis, or delirium tremens.”</p></div> + +<p><i>Some of the defenders of the medicinal use of +alcohol claim that since it has been shown to reduce +tissue waste it should be classed as an indirect food, a +conserver of tissue.</i> Of this claim, Dr. N. S. Davis +says in the <i>Bulletin of the A. M. T. A.</i>, November, +1895:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[Pg 113]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A careful study of the conditions and processes necessary +for both tissue building or nutrition, and tissue waste or disintegration, +in all the higher order of animals, will show that +neither process can be materially retarded without retarding or +preventing the other. Both processes take place only in bioplasm +or vitalized matter, supplied with oxygen, water and heat. +Neither the assimilation of new material food, nor its use in +tissue building can be effected without the presence of free +oxygen and nuclein, or corpuscular elements of the blood. +And without the presence of the same elements we can have +no natural tissue disintegration and removal of the waste. +The processes of tissue building and tissue disintegration, are +therefore, so intimately related, and dependent upon the same +materials and forces, that neither can be hastened or retarded +from day to day without influencing the other. When alcohol +or any other substance, introduced into the blood, retards the +tissue waste, as shown by the diminished amount of excretory +products, it must do so by either diminishing the amount of +free oxygen in the blood, by impairing the vasomotor and +trophic nerve functions or by direct impairment of the properties +of the nuclein or protogen elements of the blood and +tissues. The popular idea, both in and out of the profession is, +that the alcohol, by further oxidation in the blood, lessens the +amount of oxygen to act on the tissues, and generates heat or +’some kind of force.’ Those who advocate this theory of saving +the tissues by combining the oxygen with alcohol seem to forget +that in doing so they are diverting and using up the only +agent, oxygen, capable of combining with, and promoting the +elimination of, all natural waste products as well as the +various toxic elements causing disease.</p> + +<p>“But the theory that alcohol directly combines with the +oxygen of the blood by which it would be converted into carbonic +acid and water with evolution of heat is completely +refuted by the well-known fact that its presence in the blood +diminishes both temperature and elimination of carbonic acid +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[Pg 114]</a></span>as already stated. Physiologists of the present day very generally +agree that the capacity of the blood to receive oxygen from +the lungs, and convey it to the systemic capillaries and various +tissues, depends chiefly on its hemoglobin (red coloring matter), +protein, or albuminous and saline elements.</p> + +<p>“Both experimental and clinical facts in abundance show +that alcohol at all ordinary temperatures displays a much +stronger affinity for these elements of the blood and tissues, +than it does for oxygen. And when present in the blood, it +rapidly attracts both water and hemoglobin from the corpuscular +and albuminoid elements of that fluid, and thereby +diminishes its reception and distribution of oxygen. We are +thus enabled to see clearly how the alcohol diminishes the +oxygenation and decarbonization of the blood, and retards all +tissue changes both of nutrition and waste without itself undergoing +oxidation with evolution of heat. Consequently, instead +of acting as a shield or conservator of the tissues by simply +combining with the oxygen, the alcohol directly impairs the +properties and functions of the most highly vitalized elements +of the blood itself, and thereby not only retards tissue waste +but also equally retards the highest grades of nutrition, and +favors only sclerotic, fatty and molecular degenerations, as we +see everywhere resulting from its continued use. Can an agent +displaying such properties and effects be called a <i>food</i>, either +direct or indirect, without a total disregard for the proper +meaning of words?”</p></div> + +<p>In another place he says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“This lessening of the elimination of tissue waste is simply +an evidence of the accumulation of poisonous substances within +the body, through the lessened activity of liver and kidneys +and the impairment of the blood.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Ezra M. Hunt says in <i>Alcohol as Food and as +Medicine</i>, page 37:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[Pg 115]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It sounds conservative of health to say of a substance that +it delays the breaking down of tissue, but the physiologist does +not allow a substance which occasions such delay, to possess, +because of that, either dietetic or remedial value. To increase +weight by prolonged constipation is not a physiological process.”</p></div> + +<p>Dalton says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The importance of tissue change to the maintenance of life +is readily shown by the injurious effects which follow upon its +disturbance. If the discharge of the excrementitious substances +be in any way impeded or suspended, these substances accumulate +either in the blood or tissues, or both. In consequence +of this retention and accumulation they become +poisonous, and rapidly produce a derangement of the vital +functions. Their influence is principally exerted upon the +nervous system, through which they produce most frequent +irritability, disturbance of the special senses, delirium, insensibility, +coma, and finally, death.”</p></div> + +<p>The power to retard the passage of waste matter +from the system is one of the gravest objections to +the use of alcohol in sickness, as the germs of disease +are thereby caused to remain longer in the +body than they would, were no alcohol or drug of +similar action, used. Thus recovery is delayed, if +not effectually hindered.</p> + +<p>The preponderance of scientific evidence is all +against alcohol as possessing food qualities. It +contains no elements capable of entering into the +composition of any part of the body, hence cannot +give strength; it is not a fuel-food as it does not +supply heat to the body, but decreases temperature; +and its classification as indirect food because it re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[Pg 116]</a></span>tards +the passage of waste matter is shown to be +utterly unscientific, as any agent which interferes +with the natural processes of assimilation and disintegration +is a dangerous agent, a poison rather +than a food.</p> + +<p>The question naturally arises:—</p> + +<p>If these drinks are not liquid food, as we have +been taught to believe, how is it, since they are +made from food, as barley, corn, grapes, potatoes, +etc?</p> + +<p>These drinks are not food, although made from +food, because in the process of manufacturing them +the food principle is destroyed. The grain is +malted to change starch into sugar—loss of food +principle begins here—then the malted grain is +soaked in water to extract the saccharine matter. +When the sugar is all in the water the grain goes to +feed cattle or hogs, and the sweetened water is +fermented. The fermentation changes the sugar +into alcohol.</p> + +<p>Analyses of beer by eminent chemists show an +average of 90 per cent. water, 4 per cent. alcohol, +and 6 per cent. malt extract. The malt extract +consists of gum, sugar, various acids, salts and hop +extract. Starch and sugar are all of these capable of +digestion, and the amount of them would be equal +to 39 ounces to the barrel of beer. Liebig, the +great German chemist, said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“If a man drinks daily 8 or 10 quarts of the best Bavarian +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[Pg 117]</a></span>beer, in a year he will have taken into his system the nutritive +constituents contained in a 5 pound loaf of bread.”</p></div> + +<p>Eight quarts a day for a year would be 2,920 +quarts, or a little more than 23 barrels. If sold to +the consumer at the low rate of five cents a pint, it +would cost him $292; a high price for as much nourishment +as in a 5 pound loaf!</p> + +<p>Analyses of wine by reliable chemists show that +the consumer must pay $500 for the equivalent in +nourishment of a 5 pound loaf of bread, wine being +higher priced than beer. Wines average 80 per cent. +water, about 15 per cent. alcohol, and 5 per cent. +residue. This residue is composed of sugar, tartaric, +acetic and carbonic acids, salts of potassium +and sodium, tannic acid, and traces of an ethereal +substance which gives the peculiar or distinguishing +flavor. The only one of these ingredients possessing +food value is sugar; this exists chiefly in what +are called sweet wines. Yet how many thousands +of people spend money they can ill afford for wines +and beers to build up the failing strength of some +loved one! A costly delusion, and too often a +fatal one!</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Distilled liquors, if unadulterated, contain literally nothing +but water and alcohol, except traces of juniper in gin, and the +flavor of the fermented material from which they have been distilled.”—<i>Influence +of Alcohol</i>, by N. S. Davis, M. D.</p></div> + +<p>It is the solemn duty of those to whom the people +look for instruction in matters of health to undeceive +the toiling masses as to the food-value of alco<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[Pg 118]</a></span>holic +liquids. Some of the medical profession are +faithful in this regard, but too many others are +themselves deceived, or care not for the destruction +of the people.</p> + + +<h4>IS ALCOHOL A STIMULANT?</h4> + +<p>A lady asked her family physician several years +ago what he thought of the views of those medical +writers who class alcohol as a narcotic, and not a +stimulant. He answered with some heat, “Any +one who says alcohol is not a stimulant is either a +fool or a knave!” He could not have been aware +that some of the most distinguished professors in +American medical colleges teach that alcohol is +not, properly speaking, a stimulant, but a narcotic.</p> + +<p>The accepted definition of a stimulant in medical +literature is some agent capable of exciting or increasing +<i>vital activity</i> as a whole, or the natural +activity of some one structure or organ.</p> + +<p>Dr. N. S. Davis has said repeatedly that both +clinical and experimental observations show that +alcohol directly diminishes the functional activity +of all nerve structures, pre-eminently those of respiration +and circulation, thus decreasing the internal +distribution of oxygen, which is nature’s own +special exciter of all vital action.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Consequently it is antagonistic to all true stimulants or +remedies capable of increasing vital activity. Instead, therefore, +of meriting the name of <i>stimulant</i>, alcohol should be designated +and used only as an anæsthetic and sedative, or depressor of +vital activity.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[Pg 119]</a></span></p> + +<p>The following is taken from an editorial article +in the <i>American Medical Temperance Quarterly</i> for +January, 1894:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Drs. Sidney Ringer and H. Sainsbury in a carefully executed +series of experiments on the isolated heart of the frog, +found that all the alcohol when mixed with the blood circulating +through the heart, uniformly diminished the action of that +organ in direct proportion to the quantity of alcohol used, until +complete paralysis was induced. In closing their report in regard +to the action of different alcohols, they say that ‘by their +direct action on the cardiac tissue these drugs are clearly +<i>paralyzant</i>, and that this appears to be the case from the outset, +<i>no stage of increased force of contraction preceding</i>.’</p> + +<p>“Professor Martin, while in connection with the Johns Hopkins +University, performed an equally careful series of experiments +in regard to the action of ethylic, or ordinary alcohol, +directly on the cardiac structures of the dog, and with the same +results. He makes the following explicit statement of the +results obtained by him. ‘Blood containing one-fourth per +cent. by volume, that is two and a half parts per 1000 of absolute +alcohol, almost invariably diminishes, within a minute, the +work done by the heart; blood containing one-half per cent. +always diminishes it, and may even bring the amount pumped +out by the left ventricle to so small a quantity that it is not sufficient +to supply the coronary arteries.’</p> + +<p>“In 1883, R. Dubois, by direct experimenting upon animals, +found that the presence of alcohol in the blood much intensified +the action of chloroform and thereby rendered a much less +dose fatal.</p> + +<p>“Prof. H. C. Wood of the University of Pennsylvania, in an +address upon Anæsthesia to the Tenth International Medical +Congress, of Berlin, in 1890, said: ‘In my own experiments with +alcohol, an eighty per cent. fluid was used largely diluted with +water. The amount injected into the jugular vein varied in the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[Pg 120]</a></span>different experiments from 5 to 20 c. c.; and in no case have I +been able to detect any increase in the size of the pulse or in the +arterial pressure produced by alcohol, when the heart was failing +during advanced chloroform anæsthesia. On the other hand, +on several occasions, the larger amounts of alcohol apparently +greatly increased the rapidity of the fall of arterial pressure, +and aided materially in extinguishing the pulse.</p> + +<p>“Sir Henry Thompson says: ‘That alcohol is an anæsthetic +and paralyzant is a fact too well established to be questioned +or contradicted.’</p> + +<p>“Dr. J. J. Ridge, of London, has published elaborate tables, +showing that even small doses of alcohol, averaging one tablespoonful +of spirits—not quite half a wineglass of claret or +champagne, and not quite a quarter of a pint of ale—impair +vision, feeling, and sensibility to weight, without the subject’s +being conscious of any alteration. Dr. Scougal, of New York, +has repeated and confirmed these experiments, and also demonstrated +that the hearing was similarly affected.</p> + +<p>“Drs. Nichol and Mossop, of Edinburgh, conducted a series +of experiments on each other, examining the eye by means of +the ophthalmoscope while the system was under the influence of +various drugs. They found that the nerves controlling the +delicate blood-vessels of the retina were paralyzed by a dose of +about a tablespoonful of brandy.</p> + +<p>“Dr. T. D. Crothers, of Hartford, Conn., has deduced some +valuable facts from his experiments with the sphygmograph, +upon the action of the heart. He has found by repeated experiments +that while alcohol apparently increases the force and +volume of the heart’s action, the irregular tracings of the sphygmograph +show that the real vital force is diminished, and +hence its apparent stimulating power is deceptive.”—Extract +from the Annual Address before the Medical Temperance +Association at San Francisco, Cal., June 8, 1894, by Dr. I. N. +Quimby, of Jersey City, N. J.</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[Pg 121]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. J. H. Kellogg, of Battle Creek, Mich., has +made extensive experiments as to the effects of +alcohol. In summing up the results of these he +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It would seem that no further evidence could be required +that alcohol is a narcotic and an anæsthetic, rather than a +stimulant, and that its use as a supporting and tonic remedy is a +practice without foundation in either scientific theory or natural +clinical experience.”</p></div> + +<p>Sir B. W. Richardson at a medical breakfast in +London in 1895, stated that though alcohol produced +an increase in the motion of the heart it was ultimately +weaker in its action, so he resolved to give +up using such an agent.</p> + +<p>Dr. A. B. Palmer of the University of Michigan +prepared a “Report” upon alcohol in 1885 for the +Michigan State Medical Society in which he cited +experiments showing that the opinion that alcohol +stimulates the heart by an increase of real force, is +an error. It creates a flutter, but decreases power.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Increased frequency of pulsation is often the strongest evidence +of diminished power—as the fluttering pulse of extreme +weakness.”</p></div> + +<p>He classes alcohol with chloroform.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“If chloroform is a narcotic, alcohol is a narcotic. If chloroform +is an anæsthetic, alcohol is an anæsthetic. If one is +essentially a depressing agent, so is the other. Their strong +resemblance no one can question. The chief difference is that +the alcoholic narcosis is longer continued, and its secondary +effects are more severe.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[Pg 122]</a></span></p> + +<p>In closing his summary of the changes in scientific +knowledge of this drug he says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“We said it was a direct heart exciter. We now know it is +a direct heart depressor. We said, and nearly all the text-books +still say, it is a direct cardiac stimulant. We know from most +conclusive experiments it is a direct <i>cardiac paralyzant</i>.”</p></div> + +<p>The following is taken from one of the many excellent +papers upon alcohol written by that Nestor +among physicians, Dr. N. S. Davis:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Alcoholics are very generally prescribed in that weakness of +the heart sometimes met with in low forms of fever and in the +advanced stage of other acute diseases. It is claimed that +these agents are capable of strengthening and sustaining the +action of the heart under the circumstances just named, and +also under the first depressing influence of severe shock.</p> + +<p>“There is nothing in the ascertained physiological action of +alcohol on the human system, as developed by a wide range of +experimental investigation, to sustain this claim. I have used +the sphygmograph and every other available means for testing +experimentally the effects of alcohol upon the action of the +heart and blood-vessels generally, but have failed in every instance +to get proof of any increased force of cardiac action.</p> + +<p>“The first and very transient effect is generally increased +frequency of beat, followed immediately by dilatation of the +peripheral vessels from impaired vasomotor sensibility, and +the same unsteady or wavy sphygmographic tracing as is given +in typhoid fever, and which is usually regarded as evidence of +cardiac debility. Turning from the field of experimentation to +the sick-room, my search for evidences of the power of alcohol +to sustain the force of the heart, or in any way to strengthen +the patient has been equally unsuccessful. I was educated +and entered upon the practice of medicine at a time when +alcoholic drinks were universally regarded as stimulating and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[Pg 123]</a></span>beat-producing, and commenced their use without prejudice or +preconceived notions. But the first ten years of direct clinical +or practical observation satisfied me fully of the incorrectness +of those views, and very nearly banished the use of these +agents from my list of remedies. While it is true that during +the last thirty years I have not prescribed for internal use the +aggregate amount of one quart of any kind of fermented or +distilled drinks, either in private or hospital practice, yet I have +continued to have abundant opportunity for observing the +effects of these agents as given by others with whom I have +been in council; and simple truth compels me to say that I +have never yet seen a case in which the use of alcoholic drinks +either increased the force of the heart’s action or strengthened +the patient beyond the first thirty minutes after it was swallowed. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“Nothing is easier than self-deception in this matter. A +patient is suddenly taken with syncope, or nervous weakness, +from which abundant experience has shown that a speedy +recovery would take place by simple rest and fresh air. But in +the alarm of patient and friends something must be done. A +little wine or brandy is given, and, as it is not sufficient to +positively prevent, the patient in due time revives just as would +have been the case if neither wine nor brandy had been used.”</p></div> + +<p>In the <i>Medical Pioneer</i> of November, 1895, Prof. +E. MacDowel Cosgrave, Professor of Biology, +Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The result of all recent investigation is to show that the +use of alcohol when a stimulant effect is desired, is an error; +and that, from first to last alcohol acts as a narcotic.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Edmunds, of London, said in an address +given in Manchester:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“By giving alcohol as a stimulant in exhausting diseases, I +believe we always do as we should in giving a dose of opium +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[Pg 124]</a></span>and brandy and water to comfort a half suffocated patient; +i. e., increase his danger. If that be so, we reduce alcohol not +only from the position of food medicine, but we reduce it from +the position of a goad; and we say that the supposititious stimulating +or goading influence of alcohol is a mere delusion; that +in fact alcohol always lessens the power of the patients, and +always damages their chance of recovery, when it is a question +of their getting through exhausting diseases.”</p></div> + +<p>Many more such quotations might be adduced. +Enough are given to show that the popular use of +alcohol, when a stimulant is required, is considered +a grave error by those who have most thoroughly +studied the effects of this drug.</p> + + +<h4>ALCOHOL AS A TONIC.</h4> + +<p>Dr. J. J. Ridge, of London, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The action of alcohol in relaxing unstriped muscular fibre, +which entitles it to be called an anti-spasmodic, robs it of all +claim to give tone. The sense of exhilaration which follows +small doses of alcohol has been mistaken for real strength and +increase of vitality. It is well known that relaxation of the +blood-vessels throughout the body is one of the first effects of +alcohol. The arteries of the retina have been observed to +dilate after very small doses of alcohol. The diminution of +tone is well seen in the tracings of the pulse under the influence +of alcohol. If one needs a tonic, therefore, alcohol is one +of the things to be shunned altogether.</p> + +<p>“But alcoholic beverages contain other things beside alcohol. +Beer contains infusion of hops, or other bitter stomachics. +Some wines contain tannin. These ingredients, by creating or +stimulating the appetite, increase the strength and vital power +in certain cases. But we have a large number of drugs which +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[Pg 125]</a></span>will do the same without the disadvantages arising from the +presence of alcohol, and, if the flavor be objected to, many of +them can be taken in the form of coated pills.</p> + +<p>“The external use of cold, either by a dripping sheet, cold +sponging, or a shower-bath, according to the power of reaction, +is a valuable means of giving real tone.</p> + +<p>“Wine is frequently prescribed for those young persons who +are growing rapidly, and whose strength does not seem to keep +pace with their growth. It is important to know that alcohol is +not desirable in such circumstances. There is often found in +such cases a defective appetite, perhaps even sub-acute gastric +catarrh, which may be due to imperfect mastication through bad +teeth, or aggravated by it. There are other causes, such as late +hours, bad habits, improper food or irregular meals. In such +cases those means must be resorted to which are so effectual in +improving the condition and strengthening the heart of athletes. +Regular and regulated meals, exercise in the fresh air, a good +amount of rest and sleep—these will do more than anything +else to invigorate the bodily health.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. N. S. Davis says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Although I was taught, like all others, to use alcohol as a +tonic when patients were sick, to hasten their recovery and promote +their strength, yet it did not take me very long to find out +that here and there was one already a teetotaler who would not +take wine long, nor any kind of alcoholic drink unless prescribed, +just as castor-oil, dose by dose, but who, when he got beyond +the necessity of having it as a medicine, took no more. What +was the comparison? My patients who refused, or did not take +alcohol, got strong quicker and had less tendency to relapse +than those who continued its use. Here was the first step in +progress, and consequently I came soon to cease the recommending +it merely to hasten recovery of strength. As a tonic, +I found it of no value.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[Pg 126]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. James Miller, of Edinburgh, says in <i>Alcohol, +Its Place and Power</i>, written many years ago:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It may be well here to correct an important error, yet very +current, in regard to the medicinal use of alcohol. People +regard it as a simple and common tonic; and are ready to +accept its supposed help as such in every form of weakness and +general disorder of health. But it is ordinarily, no true tonic.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Ernest Hart, editor of the <i>British Medical +Journal</i>, stated some years ago at a meeting of the +British Medical Temperance Association that “the +medical profession were nearly all agreed that alcohol +is neither a food nor a tonic.”</p> + +<p>Many drunkards have been made, especially +among women, by the delusion that alcohol has +tonic effect. As a sample of these sad cases the +following is given, taken from a recent number of +<i>The National Advocate</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is in the jail at Elizabeth, N. J., a woman who was +arrested while participating in wild drunken orgies with a gang +of tramps in the woods near the town. She appears nothing +but a besotted hag, but was only a short time ago a dutiful wife +of a respectable man, and the mother of three beautiful children. +Her father, who is said to be living in a village in New York +State, is a highly respected minister of the Methodist Episcopal +Church. Her children are in an asylum, and her husband is a +wanderer in the West. The cause of her ruin was beer, prescribed +for her by the family physician as a tonic. At first she +refused to take it, having always been a teetotaler, but persuaded +to obey the physician, she soon acquired a taste for the +drink that speedily developed into the overmastering appetite, +which has brought her and hers to this sad condition.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[Pg 127]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>ALCOHOL AS A SEDATIVE.</h4> + +<p>Dr. J. J. Ridge says in the <i>Medical Pioneer</i>, April, +1893:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Alcohol, chiefly in the form of spirits, is often given to procure +sleep and to relieve pain, such as that of neuralgia, +dyspepsia, colic and diarrhœa. It is as a sedative that alcohol +is so insidious and seductive in cases of chronic disease, as, if +frequently resorted to, the drink craving is almost certainly +developed. Hence the importance in many cases of rather +bearing the ills we have than of flying to others that we know +not of. It is clear that other narcotics, such as opium, morphia, +chorodyne, chloral, are open to the same objection, and the +victims of these drugs are terribly numerous. * * * * * In +many instances some form of dyspepsia is the cause of the +sleeplessness, palpitation or other uneasy feeling for which a +sedative is desired, and when this is cured the symptoms +vanish.”</p></div> + +<p>A prominent minister in a large American city +was afflicted with insomnia a few years ago, and, +after trying various remedies, was advised by a +physician to try whisky “night-caps.” He became +a hopeless drunkard. A young medical student in +New York appealed to one of his professors for aid +in overcoming aggravated insomnia. The professor +advised whisky and morphine! The advice led to +the ruin of the young man.</p> + + +<h4>ALCOHOL AS AN ANTIPYRETIC.</h4> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“By the power of alcohol to retard the evolution of heat in +retarding molecular changes in the tissues, the liquids containing +it may be used as antipyretics when the temperature is too +high, and to retard the processes of waste when these are too +rapid. But the antipyretic influence of alcohol is so feeble in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[Pg 128]</a></span>comparison with the proper application of water to the surface, +or with the internal administration of sulphate of quinia, salicylic +acid, digitalis, etc. that no one thinks of using it for antipyretic +purposes.”—Dr. N. S. Davis in <i>Principles and Practice +of Medicine</i>.</p></div> + + +<h4>PROFESSOR ATWATER’S CONCLUSIONS UPON ALCOHOL +AS A FUEL-FOOD.</h4> + +<p>In 1899 a decided sensation was caused by the announcement +that Prof. Atwater, of Middletown, +Conn., had proved that alcohol is a fuel-food equal +in value to carbohydrates and fats. The study later +of Prof. Atwater’s report of his investigations led to +prolonged discussions among medical men interested +in the alcohol question, and his theory that alcohol is +a food because it is oxidized in the body was vigorously +opposed by many scientists of high standing. +Professor Abel, of Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, +an investigator of alcohol who worked with the +Committee of Fifty, said on this point:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Oxidizability cannot be made the measure of usefulness +in regard to this substance.”</p></div> + +<p>Professor Gruber, president of the Royal Institute +of Hygiene, Munich, said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Does alcohol truly deserve to be called a food substance? +Obviously, only such substances can be called food material, +or be employed for food, as, like albumen, fat, and sugar, +exert non-poisonous influence in the amounts in which they +reach the blood and must circulate in it in order to nourish +* * * * Although alcohol contributes energy it diminishes +working ability. We are not able to find that its energy +is turned to account for nerve and muscle work. Very +small amounts, whose food value is insignificant, show an injurious +effect upon the nervous system.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[Pg 129]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sir Victor Horsley, the well-known London surgeon, +said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“We know that alcohol lowers the temperature of the body. +It can only do that by diminishing the activity of the vital +processes. It also diminishes very greatly the power of the +muscles, and it diminishes the intellectual power of the nervous +system. To call an agent that causes such diminution of +activity throughout the whole body a food is ridiculous.”</p></div> + +<p>An editorial in the <i>Journal of the <a name="Page_129t" id="Page_129t"></a><a href="#Page_129tn">American</a> Medical +Association</i> said:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The fallacy of the reasoning which would place alcohol +among the foods is very apparent when we put it in the +form of a syllogism: All foods are oxidized in the body; +alcohol is oxidized in the body; therefore alcohol is food. +As logically we might say: ‘All birds are bilaterally symmetrical; +the earthworm is bilaterally symmetrical; therefore +the earthworm is a bird.’ Oxidation within the body is +simply one of several important properties of food, as bilateral +symmetry is one of several important characteristics +of a bird.”</p></div> + +<p>Schafer’s Physiology says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It cannot be doubted that any small production of energy +resulting from the oxidation of alcohol is more than counterbalanced +by its deleterious influences as a drug upon the +tissue elements, and especially upon those of the nervous +system.”</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Bulletin</i> of the A. M. T. A. for July, 1899, +contained an article upon Prof. Atwater by Dr. J. +H. Kellogg, from which the following is taken:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Starch, sugar and fats become foods or fuels only through +their assimilation. Abundant physiological evidence attests +that no substance can act as a food, or as a true source of energy, +unless it has first entered into the composition of the body. It +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[Pg 130]</a></span>must be assimilated. The forces manifested by the body, the +muscular forces, or nervous energy, are the result of the breaking +down of organized structure into simpler forms. For +example, in the case of nervous energy, material from which +nerve energy is derived is stored up in the nerve cell, and can +be seen with the microscope in the form of minute granules, +which disappear as the cell energy is expended, leaving the cell +blank and shriveled when in a state of extreme fatigue from +overwork. The same is essentially true of the muscle cell. +The source of muscular energy is glycogen, an organized substance +which becomes a part of the muscle tissue in a well-nourished +muscle in a state of rest.</p> + +<p>“Experiments have clearly shown that fat, sugar and starch +must all alike be converted into the form of glycogen and enter +into the muscle structure before they can become a source of +energy.</p> + +<p>“Professor Atwater tells us that alcohol can not form tissue, +hence the query is pertinent, How can it be a source of vital +energy? The body does not burn food as a stove does fuel. +Food can be called fuel only in a highly figurative sense. The +oxidation of food in the body does not take place directly. +Food is assimilated, becoming a part of the tissue. Oxygen is +also assimilated, entering into the composition of the tissue +along with the food elements under the action of special +organic ferments brought into play by nervous impulses received +from the central ganglia.</p> + +<p>“The molecules of these residual tissues which form the +storehouse of energy in the body are rearranged in simpler +forms, thereby giving up a portion of the energy which holds +them together in the state in which they exist in the tissues, +and this energy thus set free appears as muscle force, mental +activity, glandular work and various other forms of functional +activity.”</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[Pg 131]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VII" id="CHAPTER_VII"></a>CHAPTER VII.</h2> + +<h3>ALCOHOL IN PHARMACY.</h3> + + +<p>In the <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i> +for November 13, 1897, Dr. T. D. Crothers, +editor of the <i>Journal of Inebriety</i>, says in a paper +upon “Concealed Alcohol in Drugs”:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A very important question has been repeatedly raised, and +answered differently by persons who claim to have some +expert knowledge. The question is, can strong tinctures of +common drugs be given in all cases with safety; tinctures of +the various bitters which contain from 10 to 40 per cent. of +alcohol, and are used very freely by neurotic and debilitated +persons? It is asserted with the most positive convictions that +such tinctures are more sought for the narcotic effect of the +alcohol than for the drugs themselves.</p> + +<p>“In my experience a large number of inebriates who are +restored, relapse from the use of these tinctures given for their +medicinal effects. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“The question is asked, how much alcohol can be used as a +solvent in drugs without adding a new force more potent than +that which is brought out by the alcohol? Opinions of experts +differ. One writer thinks 10 per cent. of alcohol in any drug +will, if given any length of time, develop the physiologic effect +of alcohol in addition to that of the drug. An English writer +says that in some cases a 5 per cent. tincture is dangerous from +the alcohol which it contains.</p> + +<p>“There is some doubt expressed by many authorities as to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[Pg 132]</a></span>the potency of a drug which is covered up in a strong tincture. +It is clear that the value of a drug is not enhanced, and it is +certain that a new force-producing, or exploding agency, has +been added to the body.</p> + +<p>“In experience, any drug which contains alcohol can not be +given to persons who have previously used it without rousing up +the old desire for drink, or at least producing a degree of irritation +and excitement that clearly comes from this source. It is +also the experience of persons who are very susceptible to alcohol, +that any strong tincture is followed by headache and other +symptoms that refer to disturbed nerve centres.</p> + +<p>“In many studies I have been surprised at the increased action +of drugs when given in other forms than the tincture. Gum +and powdered opium, have far more pronounced narcotic action +than the tincture. Yet the tincture is followed by a more rapid +narcotism, but of shorter duration, and attended with more +nerve disturbance at the onset.</p> + +<p>“I am convinced that a more exact knowledge of the physiologic +action of alcohol on the organism will show that its use +in drugs as tinctures is dangerous and will be abandoned.</p> + +<p>“There are many reasons for believing that its use in proprietary +drugs will be punished in the future under what is +called the poison act.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. J. J. Ridge published in May, 1893, in the +<i>Medical Pioneer</i>, the following statement of the +pharmacy of the London Temperance Hospital:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“When the Temperance Hospital was first opened, it became +a question of practical importance, what should be done with +regard to the alcohol so largely employed as a vehicle and drug +excipient. Not that the principle of the treatment of disease +without the ordinary administration of alcoholic beverages precludes +the employment of alcoholic tinctures, but it was felt that +in such a test case as this it was important to obviate the objec<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[Pg 133]</a></span>tion +that while withholding alcohol as a beverage, it was given +in the medicine. As a matter of fact, it is surprising, when one +looks into it, how much alcohol is often given merely as a vehicle +for other drugs, and without the special action of alcohol +being required or desired. In prescriptions which are to be +seen in many text-books, it is not uncommon to find from one +to two or three, or even four drachms of rectified spirit in the +form of tinctures or spirits. This is very undesirable. If alcohol +is needed it should be given in proper measured dose. +But if it is not indicated, then it is not well to administer it in +this indirect manner.</p> + +<p>“Experiments were therefore made, partly at the hospital +and specially by Messrs. Southall Bros. & Barclay, of Birmingham, +with the result that new non-alcoholic tinctures were +made replacing the following alcoholic tinctures and wines:—</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 6em"> +Tinct. Aloes.<br /> + " Arnicæ.<br /> + " Aurantii.<br /> + " Belladonnæ.<br /> + " Buchu.<br /> + " Calumbæ.<br /> + " Camph. Co.<br /> + " Capsici.<br /> + " Cascarillæ.<br /> + " Catechu.<br /> + " Chiratæ.<br /> + " Cinchonæ Co.<br /> + " " Flav.<br /> + " Cinnamomæ.<br /> + " Colchici Sem.<br /> + " Conii.<br /> + " Digitalis.<br /> + " Ferri Acet.<br /> + " Ferri Perchlor.<br /> + " Gentiani Co.<br /> + " Hyosciami.<br /> + " Kino.<br /> + " Krameriæ.<br /> + " Limonis.<br /> + " Lobeliæ.<br /> + " Nucis Vomicæ.<br /> + " Opii.<br /> + " Quassiæ.<br /> + " Rhei.<br /> + " Scillæ.<br /> + " Serpentariæ.<br /> + " Stramonii.<br /> + " Valerianæ.<br /> + " " Ammon.<br /> +Vin. Aloes.<br /> + " Colchici Rad.<br /> + " " Sim.<br /> + " Ipecac.<br /> + " Opii.<br /> + " Rhei.<br /> +</p> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[Pg 134]</a></span>“These were made by extracting the principles of the drugs +in the usual way except that instead of alcohol a mixture of +glycerine and water was used in the proportion of one-fourth to +one-third part of glycerine, and about five per cent. of acetic +acid. These made very elegant preparations, and in the majority +of cases appeared to have just the same, and just as great +physiological action. Subsequently the ordinary tinctures were +distilled, and the extracts thus obtained dissolved in the above +menstruum, as far as was possible, in most cases the residuum +being found to be inert.</p> + +<p>“Gum resins and essential oils were found to be insoluble in +this menstruum, and hence such drugs have been given in the +form of pill, powder or mixture. Such tinctures are those of +assafœtida, benzoin, cannabis indica, cantharides, castor, cubebs, +lavender, myrrh, pyrethrum, sumbul, tolu and ginger. Out of +62 tinctures it was found that 46 made good preparations, and +16 did not.</p> + +<p>“These were employed for several years. But for some time +past, somewhat more reliable preparations have been made for +us which contain <i>all</i> the constituents of the alcoholic tinctures +without the alcohol. They are for the most part made by taking +standardized tinctures, mixing with them sugar of milk, and +distilling off the alcohol. The alcoholic extract remains behind +in a finely divided condition mingled with sugar of milk. This +is broken up, pulverized and compressed into tabloids of a +definite dose, which can be taken either in that form or rubbed +up and dissolved or suspended in gum water.</p> + +<p>“The following have been made up in this form: aconite, +belladonna, camph. co., cannabis indica, capsicum, cinchon. co., +and cinchon. simpl., digitalis, gelseminum, hyosciamus, nux +vomica, opium, strophanthus, ginger and Warburg. Other tinctures +will be gradually added to this list.</p> + +<p>“As external liniments those commonly used are the linimentum +terebinthinæ and the linimentum terebinthinæ aceticum, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[Pg 135]</a></span>which do not contain alcohol. A strong solution of iodine is +made with iodide of potassium.</p> + +<p>“The spiritus ammoniæ aromaticus is made without the spirit, +the aromatic oils being emulsionized by means of rubbing up +with fine sand, but most of these subsequently rise to the surface. +The spiritus etheris nitrosi is impossible without alcohol, +but nitrite of amyl, and nitrites of potash or soda can be substituted. +The spiritus chloroformi is replaced by aqua chloroformi, +or as a sweetening agent by solution of saccharin. Thus a favorite +expectorant mixture contains carbonate of ammonia five +grains, acetum ipecac, ten minims, and solution of saccharin in +each dose.</p> + +<p>“As a special stimulant a subcutaneous injection of a drachm +of pure ether has been given in a few cases; in others digitalis, +or caffeine or ammonia in some form, such as the carbonate +dissolved in a cup of hot coffee; or hot solution of Liebig’s +extract, or rectal injections of hot water.”</p></div> + +<p>It may be objected by some that glycerine belongs +to the family of alcohols, hence hospitals +using glycerine tinctures are not, strictly speaking, +non-alcoholic. To this the answer is, that while +glycerine certainly is classed in the family of alcohols, +it is of a very different nature from ethyl +alcohol, which is used for beverage purposes. +Ethyl alcohol, the alcohol in all intoxicating beverages +in common use, and the alcohol generally used +in medicine, creates a fatal craving for itself, and is +injurious to the body. Glycerine does not create +any craving for itself, and has not been demonstrated +to have injurious properties, and is not used for +beverage purposes.</p> + +<p>At the annual meeting of the New York State<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[Pg 136]</a></span> +Medical Society, held in New York City, in October, +1898, a discussion was held upon the use of alcohol +as medicine. Dr. E. R. Squibb, a leading pharmacist +of Brooklyn, stated that during the last two or +three years much had been accomplished in retiring +alcohol as a menstruum for exhausting drugs. Of +the other menstrua experimented with up to the +present time, that which had given the best results +was acetic acid, in various strengths. It had been +discovered that a ten per cent. solution of acetic +acid was almost universal in its exhausting powers. +There were now in use in veterinary practice, and +in some hospitals, extracts made with acetic acid. +They were made according to the requirements of +the pharmacopœia, except that acetic acid was +substituted for alcohol. Acetic acid, when used +with alkaloids gives the physician some advantages +in prescribing, owing to there being fewer incompatibles. +In small doses, the percentage of acetic +acid in the extract is so small as to be hardly +appreciable, and when larger doses are required, +the acetic acid can be neutralized by the addition +of potash or soda.</p> + +<p>Dr. Noble said, in article to <i>London Times</i> before +referred to:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Modern science has shown that those drugs which are +soluble in alcohol only, are, in all probability, more hurtful than +useful.”</p></div> + +<p>The following from Dr. Jas. R. Nichols, editor +Boston <i>Journal of Chemistry</i>, is too good to be +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[Pg 137]</a></span>omitted, although it should be familiar to temperance +students:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The facetious Dr. Holmes has said, that if the contents of +our drug-stores were taken out upon the ocean and thrown +overboard, it would be better for the human race, but worse for +the fishes. This statement may be a little sweeping; but it is +true that all the showy bottles in drug-stores which contain +alcoholic decoctions and tinctures might be submerged in +the ocean, and invalids would suffer no detriment. Since the +active alkaloidal and resinoidal principles of roots, barks and +gums have been isolated and put in better and more convenient +forms, there is no longer need of alcoholic tinctures and elixirs. +Laudanum, which is a tincture of opium, might be banished +from the shelves of every apothecary, as it is not needed. It is +now known that the valuable narcotic and hypnotic principles +of opium are contained in certain crystalline bodies, which can +be isolated, and used in minute and convenient forms, and that +they can be held in aqueous solutions. Alcohol is no longer +needed to hold the active principles of opium, Peruvian bark +or other indispensable drugs. As regards the vegetable tonics +so called, the best among them is the columbo (Radix columbo) +and this readily yields its bitter principle to water, as does +quassia, gentian, senna, rhubarb and most other valuable substances. +A careful survey of the contents of a well-appointed +modern pharmacy leads to the conclusion that there is no one +indispensable medicinal preparation which requires alcohol as a +free constituent.</p> + +<p>“The catalogue of modern remedies is almost endless, and +many of them hold alcohol in some form; but every intelligent +physician knows that 90 per cent. of these alleged remedies +have little or no intrinsic value. The nostrums of the quack, +the bitters, elixirs, cordials, extracts, etc. nearly all contain alcohol, +and this is the ingredient which aids their sale. The +whole unclean list might, with advantage to mankind, be +thrown to the fishes.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[Pg 138]</a></span></p> +<p>“The chemist, more particularly the pharmaceutical chemist, +may inquire how he is to conduct his processes without alcohol. +It is from the pharmaceutical laboratory we derive some of +the most important substances used in medicines and the arts. +Among them may be named ether, chloroform and chloral hydrate, +three of the most indispensable agents known to science, +and the employment of alcohol is essential to their production. +Alcohol is a laboratory product; it is a chemical agent which +belongs to the laboratory; it is the handmaid of the chemist, +and, so long as it exists, should be retained within the walls of +the laboratory. In the manufacture of most of the important +products in which alcohol is either directly or indirectly used, +its production may be made simultaneous with the production +of the agent desired. In the manufacture of ether and chloroform, +the apparatus for alcohol may be made a part of the devices +from which the ultimate agents, ether and chloroform, +result. Fermentation and distillation may be conducted at one +end, and the anæsthetics received at the other. It is true that +in a chemical laboratory alcohol is an agent very convenient in +a thousand ways. But, if it were banished utterly, what would +result? There are other methods of fabricating the useful +products named, and many others, without the use of alcohol, +but the processes would be rather inconvenient and more costly. +The banishment of alcohol would not deprive us of a single one +of the indispensable agents which modern civilization demands, +and neither would chemical science be retarded by its loss.”</p> + +<p>“It must be remembered that modern science has given us +glycerine, naptha, bisulphide of carbon, pyroligneous products, +carbolic acid and a hundred other agents which are capable of +taking the place of alcohol in a very large number of appliances +and processes.”</p></div> + +<p>The sale of liquor in drug-stores is beginning to +be deplored by the more respectable pharmacists. +At the annual meeting of the Massachusetts State<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[Pg 139]</a></span> +Pharmacists’ Association in 1895 the president said +in his address:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“One thing that every pharmacist, who has the best interests +of his calling at heart, must bear in mind is that the liquor part +of their business is being, and must be, slowly crowded out. +Public sentiment has changed greatly in the last few years, and +instead of all being classed alike, the line has been sharply +drawn, and the stores that sell the least amount of liquor that +they possibly can are gaining the confidence and esteem of the +public, and consequently their business is growing from year to +year, while the others are losing ground and dropping lower +and lower.”</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Evening Record</i> of Boston contained the following +in its issue of March 7, 1896:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The number of flagrant offences on the part of druggists in +certain no-license towns—offences not only against the liquor +laws, but also against the laws of decency and humanity—brought +before the board of pharmacy, would appall the public +if they were known. The Looker-On has seen the record of +several of these druggists as transcribed from the police courts +and they are very black records. One druggist after selling +liquor over and over again to one customer, and several times +getting him completely intoxicated, finally deposited him one +night in a snowbank, in a state of frozen stupor, where he +would have frozen to death had not the wife of the druggist’s +clerk threatened to complain to the police unless he was rescued.</p> + +<p>“The story is told of one of the druggists of a neighboring +no-license town. A man came in and asked for a pint of +whisky. He was asked what he wanted it for. His reply was +that he wanted it to soak some roots in. He got it, and as he +went out he dryly remarked, ‘I should have told you that it +was the roots of me tongue that I want to soak.’”</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[Pg 140]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_VIII" id="CHAPTER_VIII"></a>CHAPTER VIII.</h2> + +<h3>DISEASES, AND THEIR TREATMENT WITHOUT +ALCOHOL.</h3> + + +<p>The question, “What shall I take instead of +wine, beer or brandy?” is frequently asked by +those who have been trained to think some form of +alcohol really necessary to the cure of disease, but, +who, from principle would prefer other agents, if +they knew of any equal in effect. This chapter +deals somewhat with the answer to that question.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alcoholic Craving</span>:—The craving for alcohol +may be present for a time after a person has commenced +to abstain from all beverages containing it. +Or, it may occur periodically, as a sort of irresistible +impulse. For the periodical craving Dr. Higginbotham, +of England, recommends that a half drachm +of ipecacuanha be taken so as to produce full vomiting. +He says the desire for intoxicating drinks will +be immediately removed. The craving is caused by +vitiated secretions of the stomach; the vomiting +removes these. Dr. Higginbotham says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“If a patient can be persuaded to follow the emetic plan for +a few times when the periodical attacks come on, he will be +effectually cured.”</p></div> + +<p>Some men in trying to abstain have found the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[Pg 141]</a></span>use of fresh fruit, especially apples, very helpful. +Nourishing and digestible food should be taken +somewhat frequently. A cup of hot milk or hot +coffee taken at the right moment has saved some.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Anæmia</span>:—In this complaint there is a deficiency +of the red corpuscles of the blood. It may be +the result of some fever or exhausting illness; it +may accompany dyspepsia, and is then due to imperfect +digestion and assimilation of the food. +The poverty of the blood produces shortness of +breath, and often palpitation of the heart also, +especially on a little exertion. There is generally +more or less weariness, languor and debility, sometimes +also giddiness, sickness, fainting and neuralgia.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In the treatment of anæmia, port wine and other alcoholic +liquors are worse than useless.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. J. Ridge</span>, London.</p> + +<p>“The common prescription of wine or some form of spirits +for states of general exhaustion and anæmia, is a serious mistake. +It assumes that the temporary increase in the action of the heart +is renewed vigor, and that some power is added to the failing +energies. This theory rests solely on the statement of the +patient that he feels better. In reality the exhaustion is intensified, +though covered up.”—<i>Medical Pioneer.</i></p> + +<p>“Deficiency of nutrition, of light and of pure air may be +mentioned as common causes of anæmia. * * * * * It is +evident that the first step in the treatment of this disease is to +remove the cause. If the cause is dyspepsia, this must receive +attention; if intestinal parasites, they must be dislodged; if +prolonged nursing, nursing must be interdicted; if too little +food, a larger quantity of nourishing, wholesome food must be +employed. Such simple and easily digested foods as eggs, +poached or boiled, boiled milk, kumyzoon, good buttermilk, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[Pg 142]</a></span>purée of peas, beans or lentils, boiled rice, well-cooked gruels +and other preparations of grains are suitable. Beef tea and +extracts are worthless. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“A careful course of physical training is essential to securing +perfect recovery in cases of chronic anæmia due to indigestion, +or any other serious disturbance of the nutritive processes.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +J. H. Kellogg.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Appetite, Loss of</span>:—“There is often disinclination for +food because <i>it is not required</i>. Many cannot eat much breakfast, +because they have had a hearty supper. Or having had +both a hearty breakfast and luncheon, they feel but little desire +for a dinner of four or five courses. Generally the stomach is +right and the habits wrong. What is to be done then, for +such lack of appetite? Simply go without food until appetite +comes.</p> + +<p>“When ale or beer is taken regularly with meals the stomach +learns to expect them, and the food is not relished without +them. The appetizing power of beer and bitter ales is chiefly +due to the hop or other bitter ingredients which they contain. +When it seems necessary to assist the appetite temporarily, a +small quantity of simple infusion of hops may be taken.</p> + +<p>“Sometimes appetite fails because of exhaustion of body +and mind. This may be nature’s warning against overwork, +and cannot be neglected with impunity. Life will inevitably be +shortened if it is found necessary to rely upon the aid of +alcohol in any form in order to do a day’s work.</p> + +<p>“Bouillon, or beef soup, at the beginning of a meal are incentives +to appetite. Change of scene, and life in the open +air are the very best aids to appetite, when aids are really required.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Apoplexy</span>:—“There is a popular idea that whenever a person +is taken ill with giddiness, fainting or insensibility, brandy +should be at once procured and poured down his throat. +Nothing can be more dangerous in apoplexy. This disease is +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[Pg 143]</a></span>due to the bursting of some blood-vessel in the head, and the +poured-out blood presses on the brain and leads to more or less +insensibility. If fainting occurs, it may possibly save the +patient’s life, because then the blood-vessels contract, and the +flow of blood ceases immediately; time is thus given for the +ruptured blood-vessel to became sealed up by a clot, which will +prevent further loss of blood. If brandy is given, there is, first, +great risk of choking the patient; if that danger is escaped +and the brandy is swallowed and absorbed, the vessels become +relaxed and the heart recovers its force; hence the ruptured +vessel, if not sufficiently sealed by clot, may be started again, +and fatal hemorrhage result.</p> + +<p>“The only <i>treatment</i> which unskilled hands can adopt is to +lay the patient on his back on the floor or sofa with the head +and shoulders somewhat raised; to loosen all the dress round +the neck and body; to apply cold to the head and hot flannels +or a hot bottle to the feet and hands, or to soak them in hot +mustard and water, and to gently rub the arms and legs.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +J. J. Ridge.</span></p></div> + +<p>Dr. Alfred Smee, surgeon to the Bank of England, +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Give nothing by the mouth. Apply a stream of cold water +to the head. If the feet are cold apply warm cloths. If relief +is not soon obtained, apply hot fomentations to the abdomen, +keeping the head erect.”</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Bed-Sores</span>:—Some object to using alcohol even +as an outward application. Dr. Ridge recommends +that when a patient is confined to bed the parts +pressed on be well washed every day with strong +salt and water or alum water, and carefully dried. +<i>Glycerine of Tannin</i> may then be applied. If any +redness appears, especially if any dusky patch is +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[Pg 144]</a></span>formed, <i>collodion</i> may be applied with a brush, and +all pressure should be taken off the part by a circular +air-pillow or by a cushion; or small bran or +sand-bags may be made and carefully arranged. If +the skin is broken, <i>zinc</i> or <i>resin ointment</i> may be +applied.</p> + +<p>Some recommend finely powdered iodoform +sprinkled over the surface of the sore.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Boils and Carbuncle</span>:—“In many cases these troubles +result from an overloaded condition of the system, which is the +result of taking too much food, or some error in diet. The +boils are an effort of nature to be rid of offending matter. In +some cases they are due to the use of impure water, or the +presence of sewer gas in the house. In others, overwork, or +other debilitating causes, may have produced the state of the +digestive organs which usually causes the boils. Carbuncle is, +essentially, an extensive boil.</p> + +<p>“Apply iodine early or a piece of belladonna plaster. The +diet should be plain and unstimulating, condiments being +avoided and plenty of fresh vegetables taken, if possible. +Fresh-air, exercise and proper rest should be obtained, and +late hours avoided.</p> + +<p>“Medical advice is requisite in carbuncle. The popular +notion that port wine is absolutely necessary is both erroneous +and mischievous.”—<span class="smcap">Ridge.</span></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Catarrh</span>:—Among the causes are repeated +colds; errors in diet, especially excess in the use of +fats and sugar, and an inactive state of the liver.</p> + +<p>Cut off from your bill of fare all salted foods, +avoid fats and condiments; drink freely of pure +water; live in the open-air and sunshine as much as +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[Pg 145]</a></span>possible, taking much out-door exercise. Take a +cold sponge or towel bath every morning, beginning +at the face and finishing by plunging the feet into +a foot-tub. Follow with vigorous rubbing with a +crash or Turkish towel. Those subject to sore +throat should hold the head over a basin of cold +water and lave the neck with the water for about +two minutes. The writer was formerly subject to +frequent sore throats, but has had none for over +two years, as she believes, because of the adoption +of this measure, together with the towel bath every +morning, summer and winter.</p> + +<p>Care should be taken to avoid exposure to +draughts, or any other means which will produce liability +to cold. Care in diet, good ventilation and the +morning cold bath are essential if a radical cure is desired. +Local measures, while giving relief, will not +remove the predisposing causes. Dr. Kellogg recommends +saline solutions in the form of the nasal +douche, a teaspoonful of salt to a pint of soft water, +adding twenty to thirty drops of carbolic acid, if +there is offensive odor, as a relief measure.</p> + +<p>Sleeping in a poorly ventilated room is said to be +one cause of catarrh.</p> + +<p><i>Hay Fever</i> is a form of catarrh. The vapor +bath is recommended as very helpful in this trouble. +<i>Nature Cure</i> says that two vapor baths and a two +or three days’ fast will cure any case of hay fever. +The use of pork and other clogging foods should be +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[Pg 146]</a></span>avoided by those afflicted with this trouble. The +bowels should be kept in good condition. If constipated, +the use of prunes, figs, grapes, apples and +other such fruits will be very beneficial; walking, +and massage of the bowels, being added if the fruits +are not sufficient. No one able to walk should +depend upon drugs to relieve a constipated condition.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Colds</span>:—“If the bowels are constipated, the skin over-burdened +and clogged with bilious matter, and the lungs weak, +it is as easy to take cold as to roll off a log. If, on the contrary, +the lungs are well developed, and the respiratory power +large, providing abundant oxygen to keep bright the internal +fires, the colon clean, the skin daily washed, and the system +hardened by the cold bath, taking cold is next to impossible.</p> + +<p>“The first remedial agent for a cold should be a copious +enema. Then open the pores of the skin by a hot bath; take a +glass of hot lemonade and go to bed.”—<i>The New Hygiene.</i></p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Chills</span>:—For chill, take a hot foot and hand +bath, with mustard in the water, ¼ pound to a +gallon; then go to bed in a well ventilated room. +Drink freely of hot lemonade or hot water. Catarrh, +colds and hay fever may all be effectually relieved +by hot baths. Relief may be gained also +from inhaling the vapor from pine needles or hemlock +leaves. Put them in a bowl, pour boiling +water over them, hold the face down over the bowl, +the head being covered, and inhale the vapor well +up into the nostrils and head. A few drops of +hemlock oil in the hot water will do as well.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Coughs and Hoarseness</span>:—Boil flaxseed in 1 +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[Pg 147]</a></span>pint water, strain, add two teaspoons honey, 1 +ounce rock candy, and juice 3 lemons. Drink hot. +Also; roast a lemon till hot, cut, and squeeze on 3 +ounces powdered sugar.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Colic</span>:—This may arise from cold, or from error +in diet. If the latter it is desirable to induce +vomiting. For the pain, apply hot flannels or +fomentations; drink hot water. In severe cases, +sprinkle a little turpentine on flannel, wrung from hot +water, and apply to abdomen. Colic resulting from +the accumulation of fecal matter should be treated +with hot enemas until relieved. A hot hip-bath is +sometimes necessary to relief.</p> + +<p>The colic of children and infants should never be +treated with alcoholics. In infants it generally +arises from excessive or improper feeding; care +should be taken that the milk provided them is not +sour.</p> + +<p>In severe cases the babe should be immersed in +warm water, keeping the head above water, of +course. This is also the best remedy in convulsions. +The hot bath, with a copious enema of +warm water, has saved the lives of many babes.</p> + +<p>For adults, hot water, with a pinch of red pepper +added, will do all that brandy can do, and more.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cholera</span>:—Brandy has been considered by many +a really necessary medicine in cholera. The following +is a discussion upon Alcohol in Cholera which +was held at the annual meeting of the British<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[Pg 148]</a></span> +Medical Temperance Association, in May, 1893, and +is taken from the <i>Medical Pioneer</i> of June, 1893:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Dr. Richardson opened a discussion on Cholera in relation +to Alcohol. He said he would bring forward five points on the +subject.</p> + +<p>1. The negligence among the people at large produced by +alcohol in the presence of a cholera epidemic. There was no +doubt on the part of any who had seen an epidemic of cholera +as to the mischief done by alcohol, apart from its action as a +remedy. People rush to the public houses and take it to ward +off the danger, or to relieve them when they begin to feel ill, +and the result is very bad morally. He had seen this in different +epidemics. Or people got in spirits to face the danger, and +many became intoxicated and less able to resist.</p> + +<p>2. Its misuse by those affected. It was often given to cheer +them up and remove their fear and nervousness. In his opinion +it invariably produced mischief.</p> + +<p>3. He was unable to find any physiological reason for giving +it. There was a constant drain of fluid, causing spasms and +cramp, both of the muscles and blood-vessels, and difficult circulation +through the lungs. Spasm may be relaxed by alcohol, +but, on the other hand, alcohol is exceedingly greedy of water, +and so increases the flux. But it also reduces animal temperature, +which is a strong feature of cholera, so much so that he +could almost diagnose cholera blindfold in the stage of collapse, +by the icy coldness.</p> + +<p>4. Its uselessness as a remedy during the acute stage. He +had seen a great deal of cholera and never saw alcohol do any +good whatever. There was a temporary glow which passed +away in a few minutes, and then the evil it does in other ways +was brought out. Water was far better, even if cold. The +College of Physicians had given some instructions and ordered +great care in the administration of alcohol; this was not far +enough, but good as far as it went. The recoveries were best +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[Pg 149]</a></span>where the treatment was simplest, such as external warmth +with plenty of diluents. He had given creasote largely.</p> + +<p>5. Its injuriousness during the stage of reaction. The reactive +fever following collapse caused a great number of deaths. +In this stage alcohol was absolutely poisonous. He could recall +many such cases in which he had given alcohol through +ignorance, and always with disaster.</p> + +<p>“Brigade-Surgeon Pringle said that when he went out to India +he thought alcohol was something to stand by, but he had soon +found out his mistake; he had himself suffered from it. He could +confirm what Dr. Richardson had said as to the demoralization +produced by alcohol to which men resort to keep up their +spirits, and men seized under these circumstances were in the +greatest danger. Nature effects a cure in many cases without +assistance, and often with wonderful rapidity. People apparently +dead and about to be buried, he had known to get up +and recover. When alcohol is given during collapse there is +often no absorption until reaction occurs, and then the quantity +accumulated speedily produces intoxication. It was the same +with opium: he had found pills unchanged in the stomach for +hours. He recommended hot drinks; he had tried every kind +of medicine and had little faith in it. The nursing was very +important, and it was important that the nurses should abstain.</p> + +<p>“Dr. Morton said it was easy to see that on physiological +grounds alone, alcohol, with its strong affinity for water and its +tendency to lower temperature, could not be a useful drug in +the treatment of cholera collapse, and with its powers of paralyzing +vascular inhibition and checking elimination of effete +matter, could not be otherwise than harmful in the stage of reaction. +As these conclusions were corroborated by practical +experience he did not think members would hesitate to banish +it from their equipment against cholera.</p> + +<p>“Dr. Ridge said it should be remembered that Doyen had +made experiments on guinea-pigs and had found they were +proof against cholera, unless they had previously had a dose of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[Pg 150]</a></span>alcohol. This explained why drunkards and hard drinkers +were so much more liable to have cholera, and have it badly as +all observers declared to be the case. Another reason might +be that small quantities of alcohol, such as would be found circulating +in the blood, favored the growth and multiplication +of bacteria, certainly those of decomposition, and probably +those of cholera. Hence, other things being equal, the abstainer +had a great advantage.</p> + +<p>“Dr. Norman Kerr said that he had observed both in America +and Glasgow that not only notorious drunkards but free +drinkers suffered; abstainers were less liable unless they took +contaminated water, and the less liquid taken the less chance +of taking cholera; beer-drinkers often took more than abstainers. +The alcohol-drinker uses up more water from his blood +and so has less to flush out the system. Alcohol, given to a +patient, disguised his condition so that he might seem better +though really worse. Hence it is better and safer not to give +any. The doctors and nurses ought to be abstainers. A doctor +after dinner was more likely to take a roseate view of a +case, looking at it through an alcoholic pair of spectacles. Alcohol +was not really a stimulant, but a depressant, and this is a +very depressing disease; it was important to have our vital resisting +power as vigorous as possible. Hot water both relaxes +and stimulates, and the whole cry of the sufferer is for water. +Many persons who died in cholera did not die of the disease, +but of the drugs such as alcohol and opium. Acid drinks +should be given, as the bacilli could not live in acid mixtures. +Cholera might come, but he believed we were better prepared +to meet it and to treat it.</p> + +<p>“Surgeon-General Francis sent a communication which was +read by the Honorable Secretary. He said: ‘Having had +many opportunities of treating cholera in various parts of India +and amongst all classes, I have no hesitation in affirming that +alcohol in any shape is one of the very worst remedies. Life +is, so to speak, paralyzed, and we give a remedy which, appar<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[Pg 151]</a></span>ently +stimulating, is in reality, a paralyzer and therefore mischievous; +the death-rate might be considerably reduced provided +alcohol were rigidly excluded.’”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Norman Kerr in a valuable paper upon +Cholera says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The first thing is to get rid of the poison. How? By assisting +it out; but alcohol keeps it in by blocking the doors, +just as the doors were blocked in the terrible calamity at Sunderland +not long ago. The alcohol makes the heart and circulation +labor more. Alcohol not only retains the cholera poison, +but retards the action of the heart. Brandy and opium used to +be employed, but the records show that if the object had been +to make cholera as fatal as possible, that object was achieved +by the indiscriminate administration of brandy and opium. +Better leave the victim alone, and his chances of recovery will +be greater than if he have a thousand doctors, and as many +nurses, administering to him brandy and opium. Alcohol is +especially dangerous in the third stage, that of reactive fever, +because it adds to the fever. Then, alcohol is not only unsafe +in the three stages of genuine cholera, but especially unsafe in +the premonitory diarrhœa stage, which gives nearly every one +warning before they are attacked by genuine cholera. Brandy +is taken simply because it puts away the pain. If there are +only the pain and slight diarrhœa, speaking medically, it is all +right, but if there is anything behind the pain, it is all wrong. +After the alcohol, the mischief is going on, only the patient does +not know it, and valuable time is lost. All the alcohol does is +to deaden sensation. * * * * * Here I can thoroughly recommend +ice and iced water. I have always treated cholera patients +with these. Let them drink iced water to their hearts’ content; +they can never drink too much; and this opinion is fortified by +that of Professor Maclean, of Netley. There is no need of a +substitute for brandy in cholera, because in ordinary circumstances +in that disease the action of a stimulant is bad. Flush<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[Pg 152]</a></span>ing +of the blood is required, and water will do it. Milk will +not do it, because it is too thick—nothing but pure, cold water, +all the better if iced.”</p></div> + +<p>In 1893 Dr. Ernest Hart, editor of the <i>British +Medical Journal</i>, read an able paper upon Cholera +before the American Medical Association. His +argument was that the introduction of such a substance +as alcohol, itself being a product of germ action, +into a system already suffering from the toxic +influence of a ptomaine, could not be otherwise +than pernicious.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Cholera Morbus</span>:—Dr. Kellogg says: “The stomach +should be washed by means of the stomach-tube when possible. +A large hot enema should be given after each evacuation of +the bowels. The addition of tannin, one drachm to a quart of +water, is serviceable. When the vomited matter no longer +shows signs of food, efforts should be made to stop the vomiting. +Give the patient bits of ice the size of a bean to swallow +every few minutes. At the same time apply hot fomentations +over the stomach and bowels. If the patient suffer much from +cramp, put him into a warm bath. The first food taken should +be farinaceous. Oatmeal gruel, well boiled and strained, is +useful.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Cholera Infantum</span>:—“Iced water may be given in very +small quantities every few minutes. Give the stomach entire +rest for at least twenty-four hours. There will be no suffering +for want of food as long as the stomach is in such a condition. +Withhold milk until nature has had time to rid the alimentary +canal of the poison-producing germs. White of egg dissolved +in water is an excellent preparation in these cases. Egg enemata +may also be advantageously used.</p> + +<p>“Warm baths, the hot blanket pack when the surface is +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[Pg 153]</a></span>cold, and the hot enema are all useful. Keep the child wrapped +warmly.</p> + +<p>“Great care should be taken in returning to the milk diet. +The milk should be thoroughly sterilized by boiling for half an +hour, and should be mixed with some barley water so as to +avoid the formation of large curds in the stomach. Cream, +diluted with water, may be used instead of milk.”</p></div> + + +<h4>CONSUMPTION.</h4> + +<p>Dr. Koch, the celebrated German microscopist, +pronounces consumption contagious, because during +its progress a very minute bacterium is developed +which may be transmitted from one person to +another.</p> + +<p>It is said that a person with healthy lungs might +daily breathe millions of tubercle bacilli without +any danger, and that the best preventive of this +disease is to live much in the open air, or if this is +impossible to spend ten or fifteen minutes a day in +deep breathing exercises in the open air. “Fresh-air +and disease-germs are antagonistic.”</p> + +<p>Alcohol, chiefly in the form of whisky, was for +many years considered of great value in the treatment +of consumption of the lungs. Indeed, it was looked +upon not only as a curative, but also as a prophylactic, +or preventive, of great service to those predisposed to +this disease by reason of narrow chest and weak +lungs.</p> + +<p>Sir Benjamin Ward Richardson was the first +medical scientist who showed plainly that alcohol, +instead of being a preventive of consumption, is really +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[Pg 154]</a></span>the sole cause of one type of this disease, the type +now classed under the head of “alcoholic phthisis.” +For this kind of phthisis there is no hope of cure.</p> + +<p>French physicians some years ago came to the conclusion +that alcohol was a prolific cause of tuberculosis +and that the administration of alcoholic liquors in +tubercular troubles was a great error, and in the International +Anti-Tuberculosis Congress held in Paris in +1905, about 2000 medical scientists being present, they +presented the following resolution, which was adopted: +“In view of the close connection between alcoholism +and tuberculosis, this Congress strongly emphasizes +the importance of combining the fight against tuberculosis +with the struggle against alcoholism.”</p> + +<p>Since that time a great crusade against tuberculosis +has been carried on by means of exhibits and lectures, +and in connection with these, almost invariably the +people are warned against intemperance. For example, +a pamphlet sent out by the Boston Association for +the Relief and Control of Tuberculosis says: “Do not +spend money for beer or other liquors, or for quack +medicines or ‘cures.’ Self-indulgence and intemperance +are very bad. Vice which weakens the strong +kills the weak.” The New York State Charities Aid +Association, working with the State Board of Health, +says in a pamphlet: “Patent medicines do not cure +consumption. They are usually alcoholic drinks in +disguise, and the use of alcoholic drinks is dangerous +to the consumptive.” At the great exhibit in Washington +in September, 1908, in connection with the International +Anti-Tuberculosis Congress different +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[Pg 155]</a></span>warnings against alcohol were upon the walls. Among +these was a large poster of white cloth on which was +printed the opinions on alcohol, in brief, of some of +the best-known authorities on consumption. The opinions +as given on that poster are given here, with +others, in order to show the great change of sentiment +regarding alcohol and consumption which has come +about within a few years:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Alcohol has never cured and never will cure tuberculosis. +It will either prevent or retard recovery. It is like a two-edged +weapon; on one side it poisons the system, and on +the other it ruins the stomach and thus prevents this organ +from properly digesting the necessary food.”—<span class="smcap">S. A. Knopf</span>, +M. D., New York, Honorary Vice-President of the British +Congress on Tuberculosis.</p> + +<p>Dr. Knopf in his prize essay on “Tuberculosis and How to +Combat It,” says in several places: “Avoid all alcoholic beverages.” +He says also, “Alcohol should never be given to +children even in the smallest quantities.”</p> + +<p>“It is a recognized fact in the medical profession that the +habitual use of alcoholic drinks predisposes to tubercular infection. +It is also recognized, I think, by most physicians +that alcohol as a medicine is harmful to the tubercular invalid.”—<span class="smcap">Frank +Billings</span>, M. D., Chicago, Ill., Former President +American Medical Association.</p> + +<p>“Alcoholic liquors are of damage to consumptives because +they tend to impair nutrition, disturb the action of the stomach, +and give a false strength to the invalid on which he is +sure to presume. Besides, we know that in countries where +drinking prevails most, the ravages of tuberculosis are most +marked.”—<span class="smcap">Edward L. Trudeau</span>, M. D., Adirondacks Sanitarium +for Consumptives, Saranac Lake, N. Y.</p> + +<p>“In my judgment whisky should not be used by people who +have consumption, and in my practice I prohibit its use absolutely. +At the White Haven Sanitarium and Henry Phipps +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[Pg 156]</a></span>Institute we do not use alcohol in any form in the treatment +of our patients.”—<span class="smcap">Lawrence F. Flick</span>, M. D., Vice-President +of the National Association for the Study and Prevention of +Tuberculosis, Philadelphia, Pa.</p> + +<p>“I do not feel that I can emphasize strongly enough the +harm that can be done by the use of alcohol in tuberculosis, +and the indiscriminate use of it certainly borders on the +criminal. I do not believe that any legitimate reason can be +given for the routine employment of alcohol in the treatment +of tuberculosis. I furthermore know of no emergency in +which it is indispensable. My experience with patients who +have been accustomed to the use of alcohol, especially moderately, +is very unsatisfactory. They seem to show an abnormally +low resisting power to the tubercle bacillus. The +fact has been established that alcoholism is a very potent factor +in the causation of tuberculosis. I find it not only unnecessary +in treatment but believe it to be contraindicated.”—<span class="smcap">F. M. +Pottenger</span>, M. D., Superintendent the Pottenger Sanitarium +for Diseases of the Lungs and Throat, Monrovia, +California.</p> + +<p>“I have met with a small class of consumptive patients who +could take alcoholic liquors freely for a length of time, without +deranging either the stomach or the brain, and with a +decided amelioration of the pulmonary symptoms, and an +arrest of the emaciation. Some of these have actually increased +in <i>embonpoint</i>, and for three to six months were +highly elated with the hope that they were recovering. But +truth compels me to say that I have never seen a case in +which this apparent improvement under the influence of alcoholic +drink was permanent. On the contrary, even in those +cases in which the emaciation seems at first arrested, and the +general symptoms ameliorated, the physical signs do not undergo +a corresponding improvement; and after a few months +the digestive function becomes impaired; the emaciation begins +to increase rapidly; and in a short time the patient is +fatally prostrated.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Nathan S. Davis, Sr.</span>, of Chicago.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[Pg 157]</a></span></p> +<p>“The use of whisky in this disease positively interferes with +digestion which must under all circumstances be kept as perfect +as possible in order that the patient may assimilate the +food which is so necessary to the upbuilding of the system +and to gain strength to fight the onslaught of the disease.</p> + +<p>“Its constant use would not only interfere with digestion +but would have a tendency to create disease in other organs +of the body so that we therefore consider the use of whisky +in tuberculosis positively contraindicated.</p> + +<p>“Wishing you success in your laudable campaign.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. M. +Collins</span>, Superintendent National Jewish Hospital for Consumptives, +Denver, Colorado.</p> + +<p>“It is difficult for many people to adapt themselves to a +methodical plan of life long enough to establish a permanent +cure in consumption. I have known many a young fellow +with only a slight trouble in his lungs to die in the Adirondacks +more from the effects of whisky than from the disease +itself.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Henry P. Loomis</span>, of New York City, in a +Lecture on Consumption. (See page 232, of Handbook, on +the Prevention of Tuberculosis.)</p> + +<p>“The majority of our patients receive no medication whatsoever. +The stomach is rarely in condition to bear excessive +medication, and the promiscuous use of creosote and similar +preparations is to be condemned. Milk and raw eggs are the +best articles of diet in addition to a regular diet of simple +food.”—<span class="smcap">James Alexander Miller</span>, M. D., of the Vanderbilt +Clinic, New York. (From Medical Record.)</p> + +<p>“In my specialty, the treatment of pulmonary diseases, I +rarely prescribe alcohol in any form, and in the sanitaria with +which I have been connected it is the exception where alcohol +in any form is prescribed. I have advised against its use +where such has been the custom, believing that as a rule +alcoholic liquors do more harm than good in the treatment +of this disease.”—<span class="smcap">Prof. Vincent Y. Bowditch</span>, M. D., Harvard +Medical School, Boston.</p> + +<p>“From personal experience in handling pulmonary tuberculosis, +not only at the Nordrach Ranch Sanitorium, for the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[Pg 158]</a></span>past five years, but in an active practice of thirteen years, I +am more than convinced that whisky and liquor, in any form, +are absolutely poisonous to the consumptive.</p> + +<p>“Whenever we admit a patient to the Nordrach Ranch Sanitorium, +we ascertain whether the individual is an alcoholic or +not; and we invariably find that such an individual is lacking +in vitality enough to combat the disease. They may look +fat and strong, pulmonary tuberculosis usually makes quick +work of them.</p> + +<p>“It is also a noticeable fact, proven by various statistics, +that a very large percentage of alcoholics become tubercular; +and if we ever stamp out tuberculosis, we will also have to +stamp out intemperance.</p> + +<p>“Trying to cure consumption with whisky is like trying to +put out a fire with kerosene. This is very easy to understand +when we stop to consider the nature of this disease. +In the first place, we have a very rapid heart’s action, dating +from the very earliest manifestations of the disease. The +pulse is often in excess of 100, even in incipient cases, and if +the stimulation of alcohol is added, we have what might be +called a ‘runaway heart’; and if there is one thing needed in +the long combat against tuberculosis, it is a good heart.”—<span class="smcap">John +E. White</span>, M. D., Medical Director Nordrach Ranch +<a name="Page_158t" id="Page_158t"></a><a href="#Page_158tn">Sanitorium</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado.</p> + +<p>“You ask me my opinion as to the use of whisky in the +treatment of consumption. In reply permit me to say that I +regard its use in this disease as most universally pernicious.”—<span class="smcap">Prof. +Charles G. Stockton</span>, M. D., Buffalo Medical College, +Buffalo, N. Y.</p> + +<p>“It was formerly thought that alcohol was in some way +antagonistic to tuberculous disease, but the observations of +late years indicate clearly that the reverse is the case, and +that chronic drinkers are more liable to both acute and pulmonary +tuberculosis. It is probably altogether a question of +altered tissue soil, the alcohol lowering the vitality and enabling +the bacilli more readily to develop and grow.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +Osler</span>, formerly Professor of Medicine in Johns Hopkins +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[Pg 159]</a></span>University, Baltimore, Md., now of Oxford University, +England.</p> + +<p>“Upon investigation I found 38 per cent. of our male tubercular +patients were excessive users of alcohol, 56 per cent. +moderate users. From my study of the cases I am led to +believe that in a vast majority of these cases drink has been +a large factor in producing the disease, by exposure, lowering +of vitality, etc. I believe that alcohol has no place in +the treatment of tuberculosis. Many patients are deceived by +the false strength it gives them.”—<span class="smcap">O. C. Willhite</span>, M. D., +Superintendent of Cook County Hospital for Consumptives, +Dunning, Ill.</p> + +<p>“In tuberculosis there is a state of over-stimulation of the +circulatory system due to the toxins. The use of alcoholics +simply makes the condition worse. It reduces resistance and +makes the person more susceptible to the disease.”—<span class="smcap">H. J. +Blankmeyer</span>, M. D., Sanatorium Gabriels, in the Adirondacks, +N. Y.</p> + +<p>“The practice of taking alcoholics of any sort, and in any +quantity, over a considerable length of time, is certain to produce +more or less injury to a tubercular patient, and their use +by tubercular people cannot be too strongly condemned.”—<span class="smcap">H. +S. Goodall</span>, M. D., Lake Kushaqua, N. Y.</p></div> + +<p>Most of these opinions were written for the author +of this book in response to letters of inquiry. Are +they not indicative of a day when the medical profession +will lay aside alcoholic liquors in the treatment +of all diseases? It is acknowledged that the past usage +of giving whisky and cod-liver oil to consumptives was +an error; some day, it may be not far distant, a larger +acknowledgment may be made, and the medical use +of alcoholic liquors will be entirely a thing of the past.</p> + +<p>Rev. J. M. Buckley, D.D., editor of <i>The Christian +Advocate</i>, was in early manhood considered an in<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[Pg 160]</a></span>curable +consumptive. Being a man of great will +power and indomitable perseverance, he resolved to +try the open-air cure, together with the use of an +inspirator. The result was perfect restoration to +health, so that, as is well known, he can be easily +heard by audiences of thousands at Chautauqua +and other places where he is greatly in request for +lectures. He has written a pamphlet giving a full +history of his case. It can be obtained from Eaton +& Mains, 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, for fifty +cents, and should be read by all consumptives who +have any “grit” in their composition.</p> + +<p>Dr. Forrest, a hygienic physician, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“What is to be done if the germs have already obtained +lodgement in the lungs? Increase the general nutrition of the +body in every way, and then the lungs can resist the inroads of +the disease. The first thing necessary to improve the nutrition +of the body is to stimulate the digestive and absorbent functions +of the stomach and intestines. Naturally then, you must throw +the so-called cough medicines out of the window. The drugs +used to stop a cough are sedatives. Now, no sedative or nauseant +is known that does not lock up the natural secretions +and thus lessen the digestive powers. The cough is nature’s +method of expelling offending matter from the lungs and bronchial +tubes. It is infinitely better to have this stuff thrown out +of the lungs than retained there.”</p></div> + +<p>Keep the bowels clean is this physician’s next +recommendation.</p> + +<p>Sweet cream is preferable to cod-liver oil as it is +not so likely to derange the stomach. Easily di<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[Pg 161]</a></span>gested +food is necessary, as the organs of digestion +are in weakened condition.</p> + +<p>Again Dr. Forrest says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The consumptive should live as much as possible in the +open air.</p> + +<p>“Dr. Trudeau inoculated twelve rabbits with tubercle or consumptive +germs. Six of these he turned loose on an island +where they ran wild. The other six were kept confined in +hutches such as rabbits are usually kept in. Results—All the +six rabbits in the open air recovered from the inoculation and +remained well. Five of the confined rabbits died of tubercles in +the lungs and different parts of the body. The sixth was still +lingering, badly diseased, when the experiment was brought to +a close. Fresh air and exercise enabled the first six to overcome +the disease germs. Confinement gave full play to the disease in +the others.</p> + +<p>“Now, you house lovers, sleepers in close bedrooms, people +afraid of cold air, you are the rabbits in the hutches. Beware, +lest the verdict be in your case, ‘Died of tubercles in the +lungs.’ If you are not able to leave your home, live with open +windows, day and night, summer and winter.</p> + +<p>“Exercise systematically, especially those exercises, accompanied +by deep breathing, that open and strengthen the lungs—exercises +without fatigue.</p> + +<p>“If you are hoping that some wonderful, mysterious drug +has been or will be discovered, a drug that will cure consumption +without your help, you are hoping against hope. Improved +nutrition is your salvation, and that must come through exercise, +diet and fresh air.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. J. H. Kellogg, in his <i>Home Hand-Book of +Hygiene and Medicine</i>, recommends a salt sponge +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[Pg 162]</a></span>bath upon retiring, to arrest night sweats, or sponging +with hot water. He adds:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It is important that patients should know that the sweats +are greatly aggravated by opium in any form, and hence are increased +by cough mixtures of any sort which contain this drug. +Very simple remedies are often effective to relieve the most +distressing cough, such as gargling of water in the throat, +holding bits of ice in the mouth, taking occasional sips of +strong lemonade, and similar remedies. As a general rule, +patients run down and the disease progresses much more +rapidly, after beginning the use of opium in any form. Sometimes +it is best that the cough should be encouraged instead of +being repressed. When the patient expectorates very freely, +the cough is a necessary means of relieving the chest of matters +which would seriously interfere with the functions of the lungs +if retained, by filling up the bronchial tubes and air-cells. The +kind of cough needing relief is an irritable, ineffective cough, +unaccompanied by any considerable degree of expectoration. +Loaf sugar, honey or a mixture of honey and lemon juice, and +other simple, familiar remedies are often effective in relieving +such a cough. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“It is perhaps needless to add that the numerous quack +remedies for consumption advertised in the newspapers are +wholly without merit. There is no known drug which will cure +this disease, or in any certain degree influence its progress. +Numerous remedies have been recommended as curative, but +not one has thus far stood the test of experience.”</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Displacements of the Uterus</span>:—These conditions +are not among those for which alcoholic liquors are +likely to be advised by a physician, but women frequently +resort to Lydia Pinkham’s Compound and +other alcoholic preparations in the vain hope of finding +the relief so positively promised in the nostrum adver<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[Pg 163]</a></span>tisements. +Women are sometimes seriously injured by +using the nostrums specially advised for uterine weaknesses, +for this reason: a drug which may be of service +in an anæmic condition of the womb may do much +damage in an inflamed or engorged condition, yet +the nostrum vendors advise their preparations for all +alike, without a word of warning as to possible dangers.</p> + +<p>Ordinary displacements may be recovered from by +cleanliness of the parts and by exercises which +strengthen the muscles in the pelvic region. The +writer has known a considerable number of women +who have been restored to health by exercises after +months, in some cases, and several years in others, of +weakness and misery. One of these women was a +close relative of a celebrated specialist in women’s +diseases. He said he could not do any more for her, +and gave permission for her to try the exercises, which +were given her by a well-equipped teacher of physical +training.</p> + +<p>There are three kinds of displacements: anteversion, +retroversion, and prolapsus. The causes of these +troubles are various; lack of proper care in child-bearing, +miscarriages, heavy lifting, a hard fall, jumping +out of a carriage, straining, too violent exercise in gymnasium +work, and tight-lacing, also gradual weakening +of the ligaments which sustain the uterus in position.</p> + +<p>An abdominal supporter should be worn constantly +during the day for a year or so, then left off gradually +an hour or two at a time. It should be worn during +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[Pg 164]</a></span>the second year whenever any extra work is to be +done.</p> + +<p>There is a supporter sold by the Battle Creek Sanitarium +which is highly recommended, but any physician +can get one for a patient.</p> + +<p>Perfect cleanliness is necessary. For this purpose +a hot vaginal douche should be taken two or three +times a day. This douche should be made astringent +by adding to a pint of water a quarter ounce of alum +or tannin. The hot astringent injections tone up the +lower supports of the uterus, and cleanse the passage. +The patient should remain in a recumbent position for +some hours after the douche if possible. Considerable +rest hastens a cure. Take the rest in the fresh air +when weather permits. Persistent use of sitz baths +will be found helpful.</p> + +<p>For prolapsus the simplest form of internal supporter +is a small roll of cotton. After the organ is +carefully put into position this supporter should be +pressed up against the mouth of the womb, the patient +meanwhile lying upon her back. The ball of absorbent +cotton should be large enough to be retained in position, +and should be saturated with a weak solution of +glycerine and alum or glycerine and tannin before +being applied. A piece of white cord should be tied +firmly around the centre of this tampon by which it +may be removed. Remove before taking the douche.</p> + +<p>Persons who feel unable to purchase an elastic or +other abdominal supporter can make a substitute (not +so good, but of considerable service) from unbleached +muslin made in the shape of the letter T, and having +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[Pg 165]</a></span>the cloth double. It should go up to the waist and be +made to fit over the hips, then should be fastened +firmly in front with safety-pins, and the cross-piece be +drawn up from the back and fastened securely in +front.</p> + +<p>The daily exercises are the most important part of +the treatment. They must be begun gradually, and +taken at greater length as strength is gained. Those +for prolapsus will be given first:—</p> + +<p>The patient should lie upon a rug, or on a firm +long sofa or couch. The feet should be drawn up as +close to the body as possible. Now lift the lower part +of the body so that the hips and lower portion of the +trunk will have no support but what comes from the +feet and shoulders. Hold this position for a minute +or two (longer when able without much fatigue). +After a few minutes’ rest repeat. This exercise may +be continued from twenty to thirty minutes, according +to patient’s strength. The elevation of the hips in this +exercise aids in the restoration of the organ to its +natural position. This exercise should be continued +daily, the number of times being increased as strength +increases.</p> + +<p>A second exercise which is very helpful in prolapsus +is to support the body on the toes and elbows with the +face downward, and the hips raised as high as possible. +Another exercise may be taken with an assistant; the +patient should lie face downward, supporting the body +by the chest, and keeping the limbs rigid while the +assistant lifts the feet as high as possible without +hurting. These movements strengthen the abdom<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[Pg 166]</a></span>inal +muscles and draw fresh blood to the weakened +parts, and cause quickened circulation in addition to +restoring the displaced organ to natural position. They +should be taken at night just before retiring after a +hot douche. The bowels should be kept open by the +free use of fruit. The patient should sleep with the +hips elevated as much as can be endured without +real discomfort and sit with the feet on a stool. +When strength sufficient is acquired the exercises for +anteversion will be found useful, and any other exercises +which strengthen the abdominal muscles, such +as bending backward and forward, and sideways. +Kneading and percussing the abdomen by an osteopath +or masseur strengthens, and also relieves constipation. +Rest during the day should be taken with the feet +higher than the head.</p> + +<p>Prolapsus due to laceration in child-birth may require +a surgical operation.</p> + +<p>In case of antiflexions the first exercise given for +prolapsus should be taken daily. (The advice for the +prolapsus treatment and the exercises are taken from +the writings of Dr. J. H. Kellogg, superintendent of +the Battle Creek Sanitarium.).</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Anteversion</span>:—Persons suffering from anteversion +or retroversion should sleep without pillows under the +head, and lie flat upon the back; they should sit with +the feet as high as convenient and avoid high seats +which hinder the feet from touching the floor. They +should discard corsets and tight stocking supporters +which push or hold down the organs which need to be +replaced. Stocking supporters should be fastened over +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[Pg 167]</a></span>the hips and comfort waists can be bought in place +of corsets.</p> + +<p>It is well to have an attendant to prepare weak +patients for first exercises in all uterine troubles by +the use of towels wrung from hot water applied to +the back and abdomen for a few minutes to relax +the muscles, or a hot water bottle, or hot salt bag may +be used. Then, with the patient lying with head low, +the attendant should give the abdomen and small of +the back a thorough rubbing or kneading for ten minutes +or less according to strength of patient. Olive oil +can be used on the hand in the rubbing.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">First Exercise for Anteversion</span>:—Lie on bed or +rug; fold arms on chest; hold trunk of body still; +stretch legs, and hold the position about half a minute, +then relax at the knee and ankle. Then point the toes +down and stretch upper leg muscles; relax; then stretch +under leg muscles by stretching heel out. The patient +will feel the exercise as far as the shoulders, and +should be careful not to lift the body from the floor +at first. When patient can hold stretching exercise +for a minute then lift first the right, then the left leg, +and take same exercise until the person can give a +quick little kick for, say, twelve times, as the leg is +straightened.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Second Exercise</span>:—Lying on the back, stretch to +full length; move the left leg out at the side, then up +and back to position, forming a semi-circle, keeping +muscles tense throughout. Then move right leg out at +the side—left—stretch toes long—relax—stretch heel—, lift +a little higher and bring back to place in a circle +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[Pg 168]</a></span>and rest. Same with left leg and then both together. +Few people can do this easily at first, the weight of +the legs is too much for the weak muscles at the back; +but some one can hold the foot at first. When the +patient can do this easily without bringing on any pain +or ache, she may sit in a low chair and take arm lifting +exercises.</p> + +<p>Raise both arms out at the sides, then slowly raise +them up close to the head and consciously lift all the +organs of the body up, relax, and lower arms down +front and repeat slowly, six or ten times at first, until +for five minutes the patient can do this sitting. Then +take it standing for ten minutes or more. Stand with +feet wide apart. Dr. Anderson says, “A woman who +will do this twenty times each day can never have +anteversion, if she dresses properly, for it lifts the +organs in place each time.” It lifts the chest and +abdomen up, and brings a feeling of exhilaration if +done in the open air.</p> + +<p>After the patient has taken exercises for five or six +weeks she may lie flat on the back, fold arms and raise +body up to sitting position without unfolding arms. +Then turn on right side and do the same, then on left +side and do the same. This is fine for back and abdomen +muscles.</p> + +<p>Anteversion needs the Rest Cure, and resting with +the body in a position in which nature can right things +is an important thing to remember. Rest always after +exercise, either with a pillow under the knees or with +the legs hanging over a low foot-board, or lying on a +couch with the feet higher than the head. Exercise +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_169" id="Page_169">[Pg 169]</a></span>will relax the muscles and call for blood which will +revitalize and stimulate the weakened conditions. A +woman with this trouble should be careful about bending +quickly over, or climbing stairs, until she gains +strength.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Retroversion</span>:—Place the patient with face downward +on bed or mat and with a small pillow under the +lower part of the abdomen. Relax the muscles by +applying a hot towel, hot salt bag or hot water-bottle +just below the small of the back, and lower part of +the abdomen for ten or fifteen minutes. (Hot salt +bags are most effective and are easy to handle.) Then +rub the back briskly with a circular movement; if +tender in front, do not rub the abdomen. The circulation +will gradually carry away any inflammation as +soon as the muscles reach a normal condition, though +kneading of back and abdomen, using sweet oil on the +hand, is helpful if the patient can bear it.</p> + +<p>The patient must remember that these conditions +have been months in coming and only painstaking +work and time can restore the weakened organs. The +manner of dress is very important; loose, comfortable +clothing must be worn. Sleep with the face down as +much as possible; nature will correct itself, if allowed, +many times.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">First Exercise</span>:—Fold arms under forehead and +draw right knee up close to body and hold two minutes +(unless painful) and slowly straighten, and stretch +very slowly. Do the same with the left leg until the +patient can repeat the exercise twelve times with each +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_170" id="Page_170">[Pg 170]</a></span>leg and hold five minutes instead of two, with the knee +close to the body. It will probably take two weeks to +gain strength for this. After that time raise the body +up on hands, and move legs just as a baby does when +creeping, except that the patient only follows the movement +and does not move along.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Second Exercise</span>:—Patient take sitting position on +floor and clasp hands under knees, and bring knees +up, so that chin and knees meet and hold. Then +straighten legs, slide hands toward the heels as far +as hands can reach, (stretch hands toward heels); +make a continuous movement of this.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Third Exercise</span>:—Sit on floor. Place the hands on +floor at sides, legs straight out in front, lift the body +from the floor with the arms, up and down. This is +a fine exercise for raising up the misplaced organs.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fourth Exercise</span>:—Place the patient flat on back +and push the body up to sitting position with hands +quite far back and palms down, recline again, up and +down until arms and back are very tired. Then sit +up, legs straight in front, raise the body from the +floor, (an inch) and move backward, resting weight +on hands, then move over on knees as at first exercise +and creep, then sit up and move backward again. +These will take a month to perfect. Begin by exercising +five minutes and gradually work up to half an +hour, rest between, always. The patient must have +the right mental attitude, must think that she is trying +to replace the uterus by lifting it to its natural +position. The exercises must not be lazily done.</p> + +<p>Sitting in a tub of hot water is most helpful where +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_171" id="Page_171">[Pg 171]</a></span>there is much tenderness, or inflammation. Witch-hazel +in hot water douches or a weak solution of hot +salt water is a wonderful tonic in some cases.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Exercise for Replacing Uterus to be Taken +Just Before Retiring</span>:—Kneel on the bed; bend forward +until the chest is touching the bed and the hips +are elevated as high as possible. The inlet of the +vagina should then be opened so as to admit air. As +soon as the air enters the womb falls into position. Lie +down at once and give nature a chance to regain +strength while you sleep.</p> + +<p>The tampon soaked in glycerine and alum, and the +douches of hot water, in which a little alum is dissolved, +are both of great service in controlling the +flooding which so frequently accompanies change of +life and miscarriages. (Exercises for anteversion and +retroversion supplied by a successful teacher of such +work.)</p> + +<p>The writer of this book asked a well-known medical +writer why physicians do not advise exercises for the +cure of displacements instead of operations. He said +it is because women are not willing to do anything to +help themselves. They expect the physician to cure +them, and the only way a physician can “cure” is to +operate. Sensible women, however, will be glad to +practice helpful exercises.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Debility</span>:—“The debility of convalescence requires fresh air, +easily digested food, the avoidance of over-exertion, with a +gradually increasing amount of exercise. Such debility is only +aggravated by alcohol, though it may for a time be partially +masked thereby. Milk, eggs, fresh fruit and farinaceous +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_172" id="Page_172">[Pg 172]</a></span>articles are the best foods. General debility without obvious +cause, may be treated by cold or tepid bathing. Salt added to +the bath is helpful. Change of air is a good tonic. Port wine +and other alcoholics while giving a false sensation of increased +vigor, really <i>reduce the tone of the pulse</i>, and therefore tend to +enfeeble the system. Alcohol is a relaxant, <i>not a tonic</i>.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Depression of Spirits</span>:—“Learn the Delsarte exercise +for the ‘blues,’ and practice them daily. Hot air baths. +Avoid rich food. Take out-door exercise.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Diarrhœa</span>:—“This is a symptom of the presence of an +irritant of which the stomach is trying to be rid. Do not arrest +it <a name="Page_172t" id="Page_172t"></a><a href="#Page_172tn">prematurely</a>, but assist it. If it persists, arrowroot, or corn +starch, or flour, mixed with cold water to the consistency of +cream may be taken, a tablespoonful at a time. 2. Bread +charcoal with cold milk. 3. A tablespoonful of cinnamon +water with a teaspoonful of lime water, mixed, every one, two +or three hours. Smaller dose for a child. Diet should be confined +to toast, milk toast, milk, cold or boiled. Tea, broth, +meat, etc., are sure to renew the trouble. Diarrhœa in infants +is generally due to errors in feeding, either over-feeding or the +use of improper kinds of food. Boiled milk thickened with +flour is a simple remedy in light cases. Alcoholics are +utterly unnecessary in diarrhœa, and to order them for young +children is quite wrong. A full enema of water, as hot as can +be borne, will remove offending substances from the bowels.</p> + +<p>“Beware of diarrhœa medicines containing opium in any form. +They are unnecessary and dangerous, particularly for young +children.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dysentery</span>:—“At the beginning of the disease the stomach +should be relieved by the use of a large warm-water emetic. +The quantity of food should be restricted to the smallest +amount compatible with comfort. Ripe fruits, especially grapes, +and most stewed fruits, may be used in abundance to keep the +bowels regular. Salads, spices and other condiments, fats +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_173" id="Page_173">[Pg 173]</a></span>and fried foods should be strictly avoided, together with tea, +coffee, alcoholics and all other narcotics.</p> + +<p>“The diet should consist chiefly of simple soups, well boiled +oatmeal gruel, egg beaten with water or milk, and similar foods. +In many cases regulation of the diet is sufficient. Either the +hot or the cold enema may be employed.</p> + +<p>“The use of opium, which is exceedingly common in this +disease, is not advisable, as it produces a feverish condition of +the system, decidedly prejudicial to recovery. Herroner, an +eminent German physician, very strongly discourages the use +of opium in this disease.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. H. Kellogg.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Dyspepsia</span>:—“It is commonly supposed that a little good +whisky or brandy aids digestion, while on the contrary it has +been proved conclusively by observing the processes of digestion +upon persons who have fistula of the stomach, or by evacuating +the contents of the stomach by means of a stomach-pump +about an hour after taking a meal—in one instance after +taking an ounce of alcohol, and in another where no alcohol +was taken—that alcohol coagulates the albuminoids, throws +down the pepsin, decreases the acidity (the combined chlorin +and free hydrochloric acid), and increases the fixed chlorids. +Any one can make the observation upon himself, that a meal +taken without alcohol is more quickly followed by hunger than +one with it.</p> + +<p>“Blumenau says: ‘On the whole, alcohol manifests a decidedly +unfavorable influence on the course of normal digestion +even when ingested in relatively small quantities, and impairs +the normal digestive functions.’</p> + +<p>“Dr. Chittenden, professor of physiologic chemistry in Yale +College, as a result of some investigations made by himself and +Dr. Mendel, states in the <i>American Journal of Medical +Sciences</i>, that he finds that as small a quantity as three per +cent. of sherry, porter, or beer lessens the activity of the digestive +powers.”—<i>Bulletin of A. M. T. A.</i></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_174" id="Page_174">[Pg 174]</a></span></p> +<p>“It should be observed that doses of alcohol which have no +appreciable effect in delaying digestion, are so small as to be +practically useless for any beneficial action.”—<i>Medical Pioneer.</i></p></div> + +<p>One doctor writes:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“What makes dyspepsia so hard to cure? This very +alcohol taking. The best cure is to refuse all alcoholic drinks, +at meals and all other times, and drink nothing but water.”</p></div> + +<p>The causes of dyspepsia are various; errors of +diet being the most common. Others are mental +worry, care and anxiety, and the use of drugs. +An eminent writer upon this disease says:</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“My main object in the treatment is to prevent the sufferers +from resorting to drugs, which in such cases, not only produce +their own morbid conditions, but also confirm those already existing.</p> + +<p>“The extensive and often habitual use of alkalies for acidity, +of purgatives for constipation, nervines and opiates for sleeplessness, +and after-dinner pills to goad into action the lagging +stomach, has been a potent factor in the production of a large +class of most inveterate dyspepsias.”</p></div> + +<p>Underdone bread, cake, and pie, are unfit for any +stomach, yet are seen upon many tables. “Breakfast +foods,” cooked for ten or twenty minutes, are +also dyspepsia producers. All breads, cakes, pies +and cereals, require thorough cooking to fit them +for digestion. Most cereals are better for supper +than for breakfast, as they should be cooked in a +double boiler for several hours. A young man, +troubled with dyspepsia, learned to his amazement +that the oatmeal, which he supposed was his best +food, had much to do with the giddiness which +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_175" id="Page_175">[Pg 175]</a></span>often overcame him. He was advised to use dry +foods, such as toast, zwieback and shredded wheat. +This diet, together with the abandonment of nostrums, +led to a cure. Zwieback is bread sliced, and +dried in a moderate oven until light brown. Whole +wheat bread is best. It is very delicious and is +quite easily digested. In the case of the young +man, it is probable that the difficulty with the oatmeal +was the lack of sufficient cooking. Oatmeal +made into gruel, well cooked, and diluted with a +large quantity of scalded milk is easy of digestion.</p> + +<p>Eating between meals, and excess in eating, lead +to stomach derangement.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The best remedy for acidity of the stomach is hot-water +drinking. Two or three glasses should be taken as hot as can +be sipped, one hour before each meal, and half an hour before +going to bed. The effect of the hot water is to wash out the +stomach, and so remove any fermenting remains of the previous +meal. Heartburn may be treated the same as acidity.”</p></div> + +<p>Persons troubled with slow digestion are better +to eat only two meals a day. The writer has personal +knowledge of a goodly number of women who +have been benefited wonderfully by adopting the +two meal a day plan.</p> + +<p>Some persons, much troubled with dyspepsia, +have adopted the plan of prolonged fasting advocated +by Dr. Dewey, and testify to a cure by this +method. While heroic, it is certainly more rational +than drug treatment. For acute dyspepsia a fast +is requisite.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_176" id="Page_176">[Pg 176]</a></span></p> + +<p>All that alcoholics can do for dyspepsia is to +allay the uneasy sensations for a time, while adding +to the trouble. It has been abundantly proved +that alcohol must pass from the stomach before +digestion can begin.</p> + +<p>Dr. Ridge says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Many cases which seem to be relieved by the use of beer +are really benefited by the hop, or other bitter, which the ale or +beer contains. <i>Hop tea</i> is a useful stomachic, and a quarter of +a pint, or half that quantity, may be taken cold. It is made in +the same way as tea, using a handful of hops to a pint of boiling +water. Make fresh every day.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Kellogg says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In cases of chronic dyspepsia the use of alcohol seems to be +particularly deleterious, although not infrequently prescribed, if +not in the form of alcohol or ordinary alcoholic liquors, in the +form of some so-called ‘bitters,’ ‘elixir’ or ‘cordial.’ Nothing +could be further removed from the truth than the popular +notion that alcohol, at least in the form of certain wines, is +helpful to digestion. Roberts showed, years ago, that alcohol +even in small doses, diminishes the activity of the stomach in +the digestion of proteids. Gluzinski showed, ten years ago, +that alcohol causes an arrest in the secretion of pepsin, and +also of its action upon food. Wolff showed that the habitual +use of alcohol produces disorder of the stomach to such a degree +as to render it incapable of responding to the normal excitation +of the food. Hugounencq found that all wines, without +exception, prevent the action of pepsin upon proteids. The +most harmful are those which contain large quantities of alcohol, +cream of tartar or coloring matter. Wines often contain +coloring matters which at once completely arrest digestion, such +as methylin blue and fuchsin.</p> + +<p>“A few years ago I made a series of experiments in which I +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_177" id="Page_177">[Pg 177]</a></span>administered alcohol in various forms with a test meal, noting +the effect upon the stomach fluid as determined by the accurate +chemic examination of the method of Hayem and Winter. +The result of these experiments I reported at the 1893 meeting +of the American Medical Temperance Association. The subject +of experiment was a healthy young man whose stomach +was doing a slight excess of work, the amount of combined +chlorin being nearly fifty per cent. above normal, although the +amount of free hydrochloric acid was normal in quantity. +Four ounces of claret with the ordinary test meal reduced the +free hydrochloric acid from 28 milligrams per 100 c. c. of +stomach fluid to zero, and the combined chlorin from .270 to +.125. In the same case the administration of two ounces of +brandy with the ordinary test meal reduced the combined +chlorin to .035, scarcely more than one eighth of the original +amount, the free hydrochloric acid remaining at zero. Thus +it appears that four ounces of claret produced marked hypopepsia +in a case of moderate hyperpepsia, whereas two ounces +of brandy produced practically apepsia.”</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fainting or Syncope</span>:—The following letter +from the late Sir B. W. Richardson was addressed +to a lady who had sought the great physician’s +advice on the subject:—<br /></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p style="text-indent: 4em"> +“25 Manchester Square, W., July 18, 1896.<br /> +</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Dear Madam</span>: There is no substance which acts as a +substitute for alcohol, nor is anything like it wanted. The +human body is a water engine, as I have often described it, +and alcohol plays no part in its natural motion. The idea +that when it begins to fail, a stimulant has to be called for, +springs merely from habit, and if, whenever any of the symptoms +of fainting you speak of occur, the person merely lies down on +the side or back and drinks a glass of hot water, or hot milk +and water, all that can be done is done. In the London +Temperance Hospital I have been treating the sick for diseases +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_178" id="Page_178">[Pg 178]</a></span>of all kinds and during all stages, and have never administered +a minim of alcohol, or any substitute for it, and we have got on +better than when I—feeling it at all times at command—made +use of it in the ordinary way.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 6em">“I am, dear Madam, faithfully yours,<br /> + “<span class="smcap">B. W. Richardson</span>.”<br /> +<br /></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Treatment</span>:—“Lay the patient down in a current of air with +the feet raised higher than the head, preferably on one side in +case of sickness occurring, or bend the head down to the knees, +to restore the flow of blood to the brain. Loosen all clothing. +Rub the limbs, chest and over the heart with the hand or a +rough towel. Sprinkle cold water on the head and face. Smell +ammonia, strong vinegar, smelling salts or any pungent odor. +Put hot bottles to the feet, and in severe cases a mustard +plaster over the heart. Sip hot milk, hot water, hot tea, hot +black coffee, beef tea or a meat essence. Crowding round the +patient and all excitement should be avoided. In 999 cases out +of 1,000, no medicine is necessary.</p> + +<p>“Faintness often proceeds from indigestion, flatulence inducing +pressure on the heart.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Faintness, Weakness, Exhaustion, Fatigue</span>:—“The +truth is that for simple weakness, faintness, exhaustion, fatigue, +cold or wet, the best remedies are simple fresh air, pure water, +digestible food and rest. These are nature’s restoratives, and +the sooner both physicians and people learn to rely upon them +instead of upon drugs the better it will be for all parties. And +as the effect of alcoholic liquors are directly depressing to the +strength and activity of all the natural functions and processes +of life, as shown by the most varied and scientific investigations, +it is important that this fact be taught to both doctors and +people everywhere.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. N. S. Davis.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Fits</span>:—“Whether the fit be apoplexy or epilepsy all alcoholics +are extremely bad, both at the time and afterwards. Alcohol, +the ‘genius of degeneration,’ is the chief cause of apoplexy, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_179" id="Page_179">[Pg 179]</a></span>and also a cause of epilepsy, especially when taken in the form +of beer. It diminishes the tone of the arteries and blood-vessels, +and thus tends to cause, aggravate and maintain a congested +state of the capillaries throughout the whole body. In the treatment +of epilepsy, therefore, neither alcohol nor any so-called +substitute should be given. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“In the convulsions of children alcohol is equally injurious.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +Ridge.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Flatulence</span>:—“Many uneasy sensations or pains, even in +distant parts of the body, are due to wind in the bowels, resulting +from indigestion. Asthma, cramps, depression of spirits, +faintness, giddiness, hiccough, prostration, sinking sensations +and sleeplessness, are all frequently due to the same cause. +The diet needs careful attention where there is much flatulence; +tea is often a cause. Charcoal biscuits are useful in some +cases; lemon juice in others. Fluid Magnesia may be taken. +Watch for the cause and remove it.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Headache</span>:—<i>The New Hygiene</i> says: “This is the manifestation +of a deeper-seated trouble, usually in the stomach. +The use of stimulants is a sure promoter of headache. All +users of alcoholic liquors are, I believe, subject to headache, +and it is also a sure result of overindulgence in tea and coffee.</p> + +<p>“To prevent the attacks, live regularly, avoid late hours and +excessive brain work; avoid tea, coffee and alcoholic beverages, +also sweets of all kinds, including sauces and pastries, and anything +fried in fat. Eat plenty of good, plain food, including +fruit, especially oranges. Eat none late at night. Exercise +regularly in such a way as to bring all the muscles into play, +at least once a day.</p> + +<p>“To relieve an attack flush the colon.</p> + +<p>“Headaches, which so largely result from the retention of +impure matter in the body, will be cured if a good quantity, +say two or three glasses, of hot water be drank in the morning +or at night, and then the next regular meal omitted, so that an +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_180" id="Page_180">[Pg 180]</a></span>interval of house-cleaning can be had before other material is +moved in.”—<i>Life and Health.</i></p> + +<p>“Avoid pills and powders. Persons suffering from headache +need to be warned against taking remedies that contain opium +and alcohol, and also against the use of a recent popular +remedy, usually called a ‘white powder’ or ‘white tablet.’ +They take the latter readily because the druggist or physician +says it contains no opium. This is true, but it is one of the +lately discovered coal tar preparations (anti-febrine, acetanilid, +etc.) and is very depressing to the human system. Headache +is usually a symptom of trouble somewhere else, often in the +alimentary canal, <a name="Page_180t" id="Page_180t"></a><a href="#Page_180tn">an</a> overloaded stomach, constipation, or +tight clothing. Learn the cause and remove that, and the +headache will disappear.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. H. J. Hall</span>, Franklin, Ind.</p> + +<p>“Gentle massage is helpful and the use of cold compresses. +Lack of sufficient sleep will cause headache. Women often +bring on nervous headache by overwork and worry.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Hemorrhage</span>:—“Never give alcohol in a case of profuse +hemorrhage. The faint feeling, or irresistible inclination to lie +down is nature’s own method of circumventing the danger, by +quieting the circulation and lessening the expulsive force of the +heart, thus favoring the formation of clot at the site of the +injury.”—<i>Clinique.</i></p> + +<p>“For uterine hemorrhage an emetic to induce vomiting is +the best cure.”—Dr. Higginbotham in <i>British Medical Journal</i>.</p> + +<p>“If the faint is dispelled too quickly, and the blood-vessels +are relaxed by alcohol, or the heart aroused to energetic action +by any remedy, the hemorrhage may recommence, and may +prove fatal. Quiet, the application of cold, pressure, the elevation +of the wound where possible, and the absence of stimulants, +are the cardinal points of treatment in most cases.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +Ridge.</span></p> + +<p>“If then, it seems absolutely necessary to rouse a person out +of a dead faint, what can be done? Swallowing is out of the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_181" id="Page_181">[Pg 181]</a></span>question, lest the patient choke. The head must be laid low, +and the face and chest flapped with a cold wet cloth, or alternately +with hot wet cloths; smelling salts (not too strong) may +be applied to the nose.</p> + +<p>“When the faint has been recovered from, but the hemorrhage +continues so much that it is feared another faint may +occur, and, perhaps, be fatal, it may be warded off by drinking +any hot liquid; if Liebig’s extract of meat, or strong beef tea, is +at hand and can be given hot, there is nothing better.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Heart Disease</span>:—Dr. Ridge says: “I trench here on a +delicate subject, because, when there is real disease of the +heart, medical advice will of course have been obtained, and +very probably a doctor may have said that some alcoholic liquor +is essential. There are, also, several different forms of heart +disease which require altogether different treatment, and only a +physician can tell the difference, or appreciate the necessity for +the particular treatment required. But it may be pointed out +that alcohol is utterly unable to ‘strengthen’ the heart, or give +tone to the blood-vessels, or to the system at large.</p> + +<p>“The alteration in the pulse due to alcohol is chiefly owing +to its paralyzing action on the blood-vessels, and when they are +too contracted, and thereby cause the weakened heart to labor +too much, the alcohol will give relief for the time. But we +have in nitrite of amyl, a fluid which will act more quickly and +more powerfully; but this must not be employed without medical +direction. It is very useful in cases of <i>angina pectoris</i>, or +<i>breast pang</i>, but is rarely required in the majority of cases in +which the valves of the heart are diseased. The paralyzing +action of alcohol is not generally produced by less than half a +wine-glassful of brandy or whisky, or twice that quantity of +wine, and often much more is required. The relief to uneasy +sensations which much smaller quantities sometimes produce is +due to their anæsthetic or benumbing action, by which the +nerves of the patient are rendered less sensible, although the +danger is by no means diminished. * * * *</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_182" id="Page_182">[Pg 182]</a></span></p> +<p>“The only sensible way to avert the evil consequences of +heart disease is to strengthen the heart, and that is to be done +by strengthening the body generally. The amount of exercise, +the kind of baths, etc., which should be taken, have to be modified +in accordance with the nature of the case. If these natural +health-giving measures cannot be employed nothing is an +effectual substitute.</p> + +<p>“<i>Weak</i> or <i>feeble heart</i> is a common complaint, and is as +ordinary an excuse for resorting to alcoholic liquors as ‘Timothy’s +stomach.’ If there is no organic disease; if the valves +of the heart are healthy and act properly, all anxiety on this +point may be entirely banished. The slow pulse, the feeble +pulse, the cold feet, the want of energy, these are not to be got +rid of by such a mere temporary agent as alcohol, even if relief +can be thus obtained from day to day. The constant application +of alcohol to the tissues of the body alters them gradually +by its chemical action. In addition to this, the balance of the +nervous system is altered, an unnatural condition is produced, +and the unhappy patient becomes more liable to disease and +more easily succumbs when attacked.</p> + +<p>“Many of these ‘feeble hearts’ mean too little exercise, very +often also, too much or improper food and drink.</p> + +<p>“The best remedies are cold sponging (according to the +season); avoidance of coddling; plain, wholesome food; abstinence +from tea, hot drinks and condiments; regular out-of-doors +exercise and all similar true <i>tonic</i> measures.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Kellogg says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Persons subject to attacks of <i>angina pectoris</i> should carry +with them a small bottle containing a sponge saturated with +nitrite of amyl, and place it to the nose when necessary.</p> + +<p>“Sympathetic palpitation may be relieved by bending the +head downward, allowing the arms to hang down. The effect +of this measure is increased by holding the breath a few +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_183" id="Page_183">[Pg 183]</a></span>seconds while bending over. Another ready means of relief is +to press strongly upon the large arteries on either side of the +neck.</p> + +<p>“Palpitation of the heart is often mistaken for real organic +disease of the organ. * * * * * A careful regulation of the +diet is in most cases all that is necessary to effect a cure.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Edmunds, of London, was asked during a +medical discussion what he thought of the use of +alcohol in heart disease. His answer is embodied +in the following:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“With regard to the use of brandy in cases of heart disease, +he was convinced it was a mistake to use it in such cases. +There were many forms of heart disease, but the most common +kind arose from the heart being too fat. Excess of fat debilitated +the heart and injured its working, just as a piece of wax +attached to a tuning fork would impair its usefulness. In such +cases he dieted his patients in order to reduce their weight. +Every dose of brandy taken for heart disease increased the +evil. The moment brandy was taken for heart disease, or any +other chronic complaint of a similar kind, the disease was +increased. If doctors recommended alcohol to their patients, +he had been asked what abstainers should do. In such cases, +as had been suggested, he thought the patients might ask what +the alcohol was to do for them, and if the reply was not +satisfactory, they should get another doctor.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. T. D. Crothers, of Hartford, Conn., has deduced +some valuable facts from his experiments +with the sphygmograph, upon the action of the +heart. He has found by repeated experiments that +while alcohol apparently increases the force and +volume of the heart’s action, the irregular tracings +of the sphygmograph show that the real vital force +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_184" id="Page_184">[Pg 184]</a></span>is diminished, and hence its apparent stimulating +power is deceptive.</p> + +<p>Dr. C. W. Chapman, of the National Hospital for +Diseases of the Heart, wrote in the <i>Lancet</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The very thing (alcohol) which they supposed had kept +their heart going was responsible for many of its difficulties.”</p></div> + +<p>Of cases of palpitation and irregularity caused by +business anxieties or indigestion, he said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“To give alcohol is only to add fuel to the fire.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Heart Failure</span>:—“In cases of cardiac weakness, the +thing needed is not simply an increased rate of movement of +the heart, or an increased volume of the pulse, but an increased +movement of the blood current throughout the entire system. +In the application of any agent for the purpose of affording +relief in a condition of this kind, the peripheral heart as well as +the central organ must be taken into consideration. In fact, +the whole circulatory system must be regarded as one. The +heart and the arteries are composed of essentially the same +kind of tissue, and have practically the same functions. The +arteries as well as the heart are capable of contracting.</p> + +<p>“Both the heart and the arteries are controlled by excitory +and inhibitory nerves. These two classes of nerves are kindred +in structure and in origin, the vagus and the vasodilators being +medullated, while the accelerators of the heart and the vasoconstrictors +of the arteries are non-medullated and pass +through the sympathetic ganglia on the way to their distribution.</p> + +<p>“Winternitz and other therapeutists have frequently called +attention to the value of cold as a cardiac stimulant or tonic. +The tonic effect of this agent is greater than that of any +medicinal agent which can be administered. The cold compress +applied over the cardiac area of the chest may well +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_185" id="Page_185">[Pg 185]</a></span>replace alcohol as a heart tonic. The thing necessary to +encourage the heart’s action is not merely relaxation of the +peripheral vessels, but, as Winternitz has shown, increased +activity of the peripheral circulation in the skin, muscles and +elsewhere. Alcohol paralyzes the vasoconstrictors, and so +dilates the small vessels and lessens the resistance of the heart +action; but at the same time it lessens the activity of the +nerve centres which control the heart, diminishes the power of +the heart muscle, and lessens that rhythmical activity of the +small vessels whereby the circulation is so efficiently aided at +that portion of the blood circuit most remote from the heart. +A continuous cold application applied to that portion of the +chest overlying the heart stimulates the nerves controlling the +walls of the vessels, and at the same time energizes the corresponding +cardiac nerves. It is wise to remember that the +vasoconstrictor nerves are one in kind with the excitor nerves +of the heart, while the vasodilators are in like manner associated +with the vagus. With this in mind, it is clear that while +alcohol paralyzes the vasoconstrictors, it at the same time +weakens the nerves which initiate and maintain the activity of +the heart; while, on the other hand, cold excites to activity +those nerves which produce the opposite effect.</p> + +<p>“The apparent increase of strength which follows the administration +of alcohol in cases of cardiac weakness is delusive. +There is increased volume of the pulse for the reason that the +small arteries and capillaries are dilated, but this apparent improvement +in cardiac action is very evanescent. This is a +natural result of the fact that while the heart is relieved momentarily +by sudden dilation of the peripheral vessels, the accumulation +of the blood in the venous system, through the loss +of the normal activity of the peripheral heart, gradually raises +the resistance by increasing the amount of blood which has to +be pushed along in the venous system. This loss of the action +of the peripheral heart more than counterbalances the temporary +relief secured by the paralysis of the vasoconstrictors.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_186" id="Page_186">[Pg 186]</a></span></p> +<p>“Thermic applications, general and local, may safely be affirmed +to be the true physiological heart tonic. In the employment +of the cold pericardial compress as a heart tonic, the +application should generally be continued not more than half +an hour at a time, and its use may be alternated with general +cold applications to the surface. A cold towel rub, or the cold +trunk pack is the best form for application if the patient is very +feeble.</p> + +<p>“The cold towel rub is applied thus: wring a towel as dry +as possible out of very cold water, and spread it quickly and +evenly over the surface; rub vigorously outside until the skin +begins to feel warm; then remove, dry the moistened surface, +rub until it glows, and make the same application to another +part; and so on until the whole surface of the body has been +gone over. The procedure should be rapid and vigorous.</p> + +<p>“If the cold trunk pack is employed, a sheet of not more +than one thickness should be wrung as dry as possible out of +very cold water, and wrapped quickly about the body, after +first dipping the hands in water, and rubbing the trunk vigorously. +In cases of extreme cardiac weakness, very cold and +very hot applications may be alternately applied over the region +of the heart. The duration of the hot and cold applications +should be about fifteen seconds each.</p> + +<p>“Any one who has ever witnessed the marvelous effects of +applications of this sort in reviving a flagging heart will never +doubt their efficacy, and will have no occasion to resort to +alcohol, or any other intoxicant, to stimulate a flagging heart. +The writer has employed these measures for stimulating the +heart for more than twenty years, and might cite hundreds +of instances in which their efficiency has been demonstrated. +They are applicable not only to the cardiac depression encountered +in the adynamic stage of typhoid and other fevers, +but in cases of heart failure from hemorrhage, of surgical +shock, collapse under chloroform or ether, opium poisoning, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_187" id="Page_187">[Pg 187]</a></span>coal gas asphyxia, drowning, etc.”—Dr. J. H. Kellogg, in +<i>Bulletin of the A. M. T. A.</i>, Jan., 1899.</p></div> + +<p>Dr. N. S. Davis tells of a case of threatened collapse +where he was called in consultation. Patient +was in a small, unventilated room.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It was easy to see that what she needed was fresh air +in her lungs. Instead of giving alcohol in any form she +was moved into a large, well-ventilated room. All symptoms +of ‘heart failure’ disappeared. Had she begun to take +whisky or brandy, physician and friends would have attributed +her recovery to that, when in fact it would have retarded recovery +by hindering oxygenation of the blood.”</p> + +<p>“It would also be a very great mistake to suppose that when +reaction follows collapse, in cases in which alcohol has been +given, this result is always due to the alcohol. I have seen so +many cases of severe collapse recover without alcohol that I +cannot but be skeptical as to its necessity, and even as to its +value. I was much struck many years ago by a case of post +partum hemorrhage which was so severe that convulsions set +in. I should then have given brandy if there had been any to +give, but there was none in the house and none to be got. I +administered teaspoonfuls of hot water and the patient revived +and recovered; next day, except for anæmia, she was as well +as ever, with no reactionary fever or other disturbance, as would +almost certainly have been the case if brandy had been given.</p> + +<p>“In collapse from hemorrhage, we have learned the value of +injections of warm saline water, either into the veins, the skin +or the rectum, and the same treatment is available in other +cases of collapse with contracted vessels.</p> + +<p>“Another measure which has proved most efficacious is the +<i>inhalation of oxygen</i> gas. This is especially useful in cases in +which alcohol is decidedly injurious, namely, those in which +there is increasing congestion of the lungs, which the heart, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_188" id="Page_188">[Pg 188]</a></span>though doing its utmost, is unable to overcome. Alcohol only +increases the congestion, and the heart is already over-exerted +and nearly exhausted. The effect of the oxygen is apparent in +a few seconds, and cases have been rescued in which death appeared +to be inevitable and imminent.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Ridge.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Heart Stimulants</span>:—“The advantage of beef extract +over alcohol as a stimulant was demonstrated on a large scale +in the Ashantee war.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Ridge</span>, London.</p></div> + +<p>For those who must have a drug: aqua ammonia, +8 drops to ½ cup of hot water, or 20 grains carbonate +ammonia to ½ cup water. Hot water alone is a +useful stimulant; also water, hot or cold, with a few +grains of Cayenne pepper added. The latter is +good, not only to start the heart’s action in collapse, +but also to relieve violent pain. Hot milk is a most +valuable stimulant. Many persons to whom hot +milk has been given during the extreme weakness +of acute disease have testified afterward to its good +effects in comparison with the wine formerly administered. +The wine caused an after-feeling of chilliness +and weakness, while the milk gave warmth and +added strength.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Insomnia or Sleeplessness</span>:—“A person who suffers +from sleeplessness should avoid the use of tea and coffee, +tobacco, alcoholic liquors and all other disturbers of the nervous +system. Eating immediately before retiring has been recommended, +but the ultimate result may be an aggravation of +the difficulty instead of relief. If a person suffers from ‘all +gone feelings’ so that he cannot sleep, he should take a few +sips of cold water or a glass of lemonade. As complete relief +will generally be obtained as from eating, and the stomach will +be saved work when it should be resting. A warm bath just +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_189" id="Page_189">[Pg 189]</a></span>before retiring, a wet-hand rub, a cool sponge bath, gentle +rubbing of the body with the dry hand, a moist bandage worn +about the abdomen during the night, are all useful measures. +When the feet are cold, they should be thoroughly warmed by +a hot foot or leg bath, and thorough rubbing. When the head +is congested, these measures should be supplemented by the +application of cold to the head, as the cold compress or the +ice-cap.”</p></div> + +<p>A walk in the evening, or gentle calisthenics, may +help those of sedentary habits. Bicycle riding and +horse-back riding in the evening have helped many.</p> + +<p>The practice of long deep breathing will often put +persons to sleep when all other devices fail. The +lungs should be filled to their utmost capacity, and +then emptied with equal slowness, repeating the +respiration about ten times a minute, instead of +eighteen or twenty, the natural rate. Those who +fall asleep upon first going to bed, and after a few +hours awake, and are unable to sleep again, may +find relief by getting out of bed, and rubbing the +surface of the body with the dry hand. Or walk +about the room a few minutes, exposing the skin to +the air, go back to bed and try the deep breathing.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The use of drugs for the purpose of inducing sleep should +be avoided as much as possible. Opium is especially harmful. +Sleep obtained by the use of opiates is not a substitute for +natural sleep. The condition is one of insensibility, but not of +natural refreshing recuperation. Three or four hours of natural +sleep will be more than equivalent to double that amount of +sleep obtained by the use of narcotics. When a person once +becomes dependent upon drugs of any kind for producing +sleep, it is almost impossible for him to dispense with them. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_190" id="Page_190">[Pg 190]</a></span>It is often dangerous to resort to their temporary use, on +account of the great tendency to the formation of the habit of +continuous use. The use of opiates for securing sleep is one of +the most prolific means by which the great army of opium-eaters +is annually recruited. Chloral, bromide of potash, +whisky and other drugs are to be condemned almost as +strongly as opium.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Kellogg.</span></p></div> + +<p>Dr. Furer, of Heidelberg, Germany, in a paper +before the International Congress against alcohol, +held in Basle, Switzerland, in Sept., 1895, said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The sleep from alcohol does not act as a mental tonic, but +leaves the mind weaker next day.”</p></div> + +<p>Some noble specimens of manhood have become +wrecks through accepting the advice to try “whisky +night-caps.” Edison recommends manual labor, +instead of going to rest, for aggravated insomnia. +He says sleep will soon come naturally.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">La Grippe</span>:—“Alcohol has no place in the treatment of <i>la +grippe</i>; on the contrary it is because of the too frequent use +of this, and other narcotics, that epidemics make such fearful +headway in our land, and such must be the rule until the +people study the laws of health and obey them. Profuse +sweating, followed by a careful bathing of the body in tepid +water, gradually cooling it to a normal temperature, and avoiding +unnecessary exposure, will relieve. The patient should +sleep in pure air and eat as little as possible, and that only +when hungry. * * * * * Quinine is essentially a nerve poison, +and capable of producing a profound disturbance of the nervous +centres. A drug of such potency for evil should be employed +with the greatest care, and never when a milder agency will +secure the result. Exceedingly pernicious is the habit of dosing +children with this drug.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Charles H. Shepard</span>, Brooklyn, +N. Y.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_191" id="Page_191">[Pg 191]</a></span></p> +<p>“A late surgeon of the gold coast of Africa wrote the following +to the London <i>Lancet</i> of Jan. 2, 1890: ‘Some of the worst +cases of this disease, the grippe, remind me of an epidemic I +saw among the natives of the swamps of the Niger. * * * * * +Irrespective of disinfectants and inhalations there is a simple, +effective and ready remedy, the juice of oranges in large quantities, +not of two or three, but of dozens. The first unpleasant +symptoms disappear, and the acid citrate of potash of the juice, +by a simple chemic action decreases the amount of fibrine in the +blood to an extent which prevents the development of pneumonia.’”</p></div> + +<p>The Syracuse (N. Y.) <i>Post-Standard</i> contained +the following during the epidemic of 1899:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Dr. George D. Whedon declared to a <i>Post-Standard</i> reporter +yesterday that there is practically no subsiding of the grippe +in this city. Dr. Whedon said that the weather conditions +have little, if anything, to do with the disease, and that it is impossible +to define the conditions which produce it. It is +some morbific agency, the influence of which, Dr. Whedon +said, is exerted upon the pneumogastric nerve.</p> + +<p>“<i>Dr. Whedon was emphatic in denouncing treatment by +means of alcoholic stimulants, and coal tar derivatives.</i> In discussing +the subject at some length he said:—</p> + +<p>‘I find that infants and young children are practically +exempt from the disease, and the liability increases with age. In +my own experience, which has since 1889 amounted to an +aggregate of 3,000 cases, alcoholic stimulants have appeared to +be usually of little or no value; their usual stimulating effect +does not seem to be realized in this condition. Unless malarial +complications exist quinine appears of no benefit, and then +should not be used in larger than two grain doses. Large +doses depress the weakened heart, and in all cases increase the +terrible confusion and headache constantly present in severe +cases.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_192" id="Page_192">[Pg 192]</a></span></p> +<p>‘From the views I entertain of its pathology, and from the +terrible fatality which has attended the extensive use of the +coal tar derivatives in treatment of <i>la grippe</i>, I argue that the +manner in which they have been prescribed in the beginning of +the disease, to reduce fever, and relieve the often intense suffering, +lowers the heart’s action, which is already sufficiently incapacitated +by the toxic agent producing the disease.</p> + +<p>‘The intention is usually to stimulate later, but later is in +many cases unfortunately too late. The heart being overwhelmed +by the poison, and by the added depression of all coal +tar preparations, cannot keep up the pulmonary circulation. +The swelling of the lungs increases, and the result is fatal.</p> + +<p>‘I am aware of the weight of authority for their administration +and of the relief they afford, but am just as well assured that +were their use discontinued, the greatly increased death-rate from +<i>la grippe</i> would cease to appear.</p> + +<p>‘These coal tar remedies are being used everywhere, and +the medical journals recommend them despite the fatal results. +They are being used every hour in the day in Syracuse, and, as +a result, are knocking out good people. Among the most popular +coal tar derivatives I might mention anti-kamnia, salol-phenacetine, +anti-pyrine and salicylate of soda.</p> + +<p>‘Prognosis is favorable at all ages. Patients should be kept +warm, and perfectly quiet in bed, and supplied with such nutritious +and easily digested food, at frequent intervals, as the partially +paralyzed stomach can take care of. All nourishment +must be fluid and warm rather than cold.’”</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Journal of Inebriety</i> for April, 1889, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The present epidemic of influenza has proved to be very +fatal in cases of moderate and excessive alcoholic drinkers.</p> + +<p>“Pneumonia is the most common sequel, breaking out suddenly, +and terminating fatally in a few days. Heart failure +and profound exhaustion, is another fatal termination. One case +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_193" id="Page_193">[Pg 193]</a></span>was reported to me of an inebriate, who, after a full outbreak +of all the usual symptoms, drank freely of whisky and became +stupid and died. It was uncertain whether cerebral hemorrhage +had taken place, or the narcotism of the alcohol had combined +with the disease and caused death.</p> + +<p>“A physician appeared to have unusual fatality in the cases +of this class under his care.</p> + +<p>“It was found that he gave some form of alcohol freely, on +the old theory of stimulation. Another physician gave all +drinking cases with this disease alcohol, on the same theory, +and had equally fatal results. It has been asserted that alcohol, +as an antiseptic, was useful in these bacterial epidemics, but its +use has been followed by greater depression, and many new +and complex symptoms. The frequent half domestic and +professional remedy, hot rum and whisky, has been followed +by more serious symptoms, and a protracted convalescence. +Many facts have been reported showing the danger of alcohol +as a remedy, also the fatality in cases of inebriates who were +affected with this disease.</p> + +<p>“The first most common symptom seems to be heart exhaustion +and feebleness, then from the catarrhal and bronchial irritation, +pneumonia often follows.”</p></div> + +<p>The vapor or Turkish bath is the best means of +“breaking up” this disease, together with hot +lemonade and rest in bed for a day or two. The +inhalation of hot steam should be tried when there +is much bronchial irritation.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Life-Saving Stations, The Use of Alcohol In</span>:—“There +is no possible useful place for alcoholic liquors in connection +with a life-saving station. Applied externally the rapid +evaporation of alcohol reduces the temperature; taken internally +it diminishes the efficiency of both respiration and circulation, +and by increasing congestion of the kidneys it directly increases +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_194" id="Page_194">[Pg 194]</a></span>the danger of secondary bad effects from exposures of any kind. +To restore warmth and circulation to the surface, light, rapid +friction and the wrapping with dry flannel is the safest, cheapest +and most efficient, while free breathing of fresh air, and frequent +small doses of milk, beef-tea, ordinary tea or coffee, or +even simple water, will afford the greatest amount of strength +and endurance, and leave the least secondary bad consequences. +It is just as easy to keep at hand a jug or flask of any one of +the articles named as it is to keep a flask of whisky or brandy. +There is no need of keeping them hot, as they act well at any +temperature at which they can be drunk.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. N. S. Davis</span>, +Chicago.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Measles</span>:—“In mild cases, very little treatment is required, +except such as is necessary to make the patient comfortable. +Good nursing is much more important than medical attendance. +If the eruption is slow in making its appearance, or is repelled +after having appeared, the patient should be given a warm +blanket pack.</p> + +<p>“The old-fashioned plan of keeping the patient smothered +beneath heavy blankets, and constantly in a state of perspiration +is wholly unnecessary. The irritation of the skin, as well +as the sensitiveness to cold, may be relieved by rubbing the +skin gently two or three times a day with vaseline or sweet oil. +There is no danger from the application of cold water to the +surface except in the last stages of the disease, after the eruption +has disappeared.</p> + +<p>“The patient should be allowed cooling drinks as much as desired. +During the disease a simple but nutritious diet should be +allowed, but <i>stimulants of all kinds should be prohibited</i>.”</p> + +<p>“It is wholly unnecessary, and dangerous as well, to give +whisky to bring out the eruption.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. I. N. Quimby</span>, Jersey +City.</p> + +<p>“Any hot drink, such as ginger tea or hot lemonade, may +be used to hasten the eruption, if delayed.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_195" id="Page_195">[Pg 195]</a></span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Malaria</span>:—Observers of this disease in such regions +as the gold coast of Africa have noted the +fact that malarial attacks are generally preceded by +impaired digestion. The disease is said to be due +to animal parasites. These parasites are supposed +to generate in the soil of certain regions, and thence, +through the drinking water, or otherwise, find entrance +to the human body.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A healthy stomach is able to destroy germs of all sorts, +hence the best protection from malaria is the boiling of all +drinking water, and the maintenance of sound digestion and +purity of blood by an aseptic dietary.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. J. H. Kellogg says in <i>The Voice</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It must be understood, however, that fruit in malarial regions, +especially watermelons, may be thickly covered with +malarial parasites and the parasites may sometimes find entrance +to the fruit when it becomes over-ripe, so that the skin +is broken. It is evident, then, that care must be taken to disinfect +such fruit by thorough washing, or by dipping in hot +water, which is the safer plan. The same remark applies to +cucumbers, lettuce, celery, cabbage and other green vegetables +which are commonly served without cooking. Not only malarial +parasites but small insects of various kinds are often +found clinging to such food substances, their development being +encouraged by the free use of top dressing on the soil, a process +common with market gardeners.</p> + +<p>“The treatment of malarial disease is too large and intricate +a subject for proper treatment in these columns. We will say +briefly, however, at the risk of being considered very unorthodox, +that the majority of cases of malarial poisoning can be cured +without the use of drugs of any sort. In fact, in the most +obstinate cases of chronic malarial poisoning, drugs are of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_196" id="Page_196">[Pg 196]</a></span>almost no use whatever. Quinine, however, is certainly of +value as a curative agent in these cases, either in destroying +the parasites, or in preventing their development; but as it does +not remove the cause, its curative effect is likely to be very +transient. The practice of habitually taking quinine as a preventive +of malarial disease is a most injurious one, as quinine +is itself a non-usable substance in the system, and therefore +must be looked upon as a mild poison, to be dealt with by the +liver and kidneys the same as other poisons. By habitual use +it may itself become a cause of disease. One or two periodical +doses of quinine often prove of great service in interrupting the +paroxysms of an intermittent fever, but other treatment must +also be employed to develop the bodily resistance, and fortify the +system against disease. The morning cold bath, followed by +vigorous rubbing, is a most excellent measure for this purpose, +but the old-fashioned German wet-sheet pack is one of the best +remedies known. The paroxysm itself can generally be +avoided by means of the dry pack, begun before the chill +makes its appearance; but this requires the services of an expert +nurse. In not a few cases it is wise for a person who +suffers frequently from malarial disease to seek a change of +climate to some non-malarial region.</p> + +<p>“Col. T. W. Higginson of the First South Carolina Volunteers, +in 1862, said of Dr. Seth Rogers, an eminent Southern physician, +who was surgeon of the regiment: ‘Fortunately for us, he +was one of that minority of army surgeons who did not believe +in whisky, so that we never had it issued in the regiment while +he was with us, and got on better, in a highly malarial district, +than those regiments which used it.’”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Maternity</span>:—Dr. Ridge says:—“It is one of the greatest +mistakes to make use of alcoholic beverages to ‘keep up the +strength’ during labor. It is, of course, impossible to predict +at the commencement how long the labor will last; if then +brandy, or other similar drink, is resorted to early, it acts most +injuriously. The desire for food is often entirely removed; the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_197" id="Page_197">[Pg 197]</a></span>demand of the system being therefore unperceived, and so not +supplied, a state of weakness and prostration is in time produced, +if the labor should be protracted, which may be really +serious. The nervous system becomes exhausted by the repeated +action of the alcohol. If a fatal result is not occasioned, +yet the prostration of body and mind after delivery is aggravated, +and convalescence thereby retarded. Alcoholic drinks +produce paralysis and congestion of the blood-vessels, and in +this way largely increase the liability to flooding after the labor +is over. Alcohol also increases the liability to a feverish +condition.</p> + +<p>“It is necessary to take small quantities of plain, nourishing +food at regular intervals, and nothing is of greater value than +well-cooked oatmeal: other farinaceous food may be substituted, +if preferred. If there is much prostration, meat extracts +or beef tea are of great value. Tea tends to produce flatulence +and to prevent sleep.</p> + +<p>“After the labor is over, the best restorative is a cup of hot +beef tea or an egg beaten up in warm milk or a cup of warm +gruel. Rest, and absence of excitement and worry are essential +and alcohol is specially injurious.”</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Menstruation, Painful</span>:—Young girls often +resort to the use of brandy during the monthly +period, and parents ask anxiously, “What can they +use instead of the brandy?”</p> + +<p>The very best thing that can be done is to go to +bed, wrapped in flannels, with a hot-water bottle or +other hot application to the abdomen, and to the +feet. Take hot ginger tea, or pepper tea.</p> + +<p>A warm hip-bath taken at the beginning may give +relief, or a large hot enema retained for half an hour +or so. Rest is necessary.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_198" id="Page_198">[Pg 198]</a></span></p> + +<p>For those who must go to work, Dr. Ridge +recommends five drops of oil of juniper, to be +taken on sugar.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Neuralgia</span>:—“The principal cause of neuralgia is defective +nutrition of the nerves. Disorders of digestion are very often +accompanied by neuralgia in various parts of the body. It +may also result from taking cold, from loss of sleep, from dissipation, +and also from the use of tobacco, alcohol, tea and +coffee.</p> + +<p>“The patient’s general health must be improved by a wholesome, +simple diet, and the employment of tonic baths, as a +daily sponge bath, and massage in feeble cases. Sun-baths +and exercise in the open air are of first importance. Ordinary +neuralgia may almost always be relieved by either moist or dry +heat. In some cases, cold applications give more relief than +hot. As a rule, abnormal heat requires cold, and unnatural +cold requires hot applications. In many cases it is necessary +to give the patient a warm bath of some kind. Electricity +often succeeds when all other remedies fail.</p> + +<p>“For facial neuralgia apply hot fomentations, together with +the use of sitz baths, or hot foot baths. The head may be +steamed by holding it over hot water, adding pieces of hot +brick occasionally to keep water steaming, head being covered.</p> + +<p>“There is no complaint, perhaps, in the treatment of which +the use of port wine will be more strongly urged by kind +friends, with the assurance that it is impossible to get well +without it. This is quite untrue, as thousands can testify.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +Ridge.</span></p> + +<p>“Avoid opiates of all sorts. ‘It is better to bear the ills we +have than fly to others that we know not of.’ The pangs of +neuralgia are as nothing to endure compared with the sufferings +of an opium wreck. Build up the general health, and the neuralgia +will disappear.”</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_199" id="Page_199">[Pg 199]</a></span></p> +<p><span class="smcap">Nausea.</span>—“A feeling of sickness is not uncommonly due to +indigestion. If it is caused by rich food take a pinch of bicarbonate +of soda in a little water, or a teaspoonful of fluid magnesia. +The acidity of the food will thus be neutralized, and +this course is far preferable to benumbing the stomach with +brandy. If indigestion is the cause, it is often salutary to miss +one or two meals, so as to allow the stomach to recover.</p> + +<p>“When due to pregnancy, a little aërated water, or soda +water is useful; sometimes a small wafer or a crust, eaten before +rising in the morning, will check it. An early morning +walk, if the weather is pleasant, is helpful.</p> + +<p>“The moist abdominal bandage is a very excellent means of +relieving nausea during pregnancy. It should be worn constantly +for a week or two, and then omitted during the night. +Daily sitz baths are also of great advantage. In many cases +electricity relieves this symptom very promptly. In very urgent +cases in which the vomiting cannot be repressed, and the life of +the patient is threatened, the stomach should be given entire +rest, the patient being nourished by nutritive injections. Fomentations +over the stomach, and swallowing small bits of ice, +are sometimes effective when other measures fail.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. H. +Kellogg.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Outgrowing the Strength</span>:—“There is sometimes debility +or weakness in rapidly growing boys and girls which is +attributed to this cause. It is popularly supposed that port +wine or beer, is the great remedy; but nothing can be worse. +It is true that gin given continuously to puppies will keep them +small, but no one would advocate the amount of spirit required +in proportion by a lad or girl to produce the same effect. If +the growth could be checked by chemicals it would be most +injurious to do so.</p> + +<p>“In the treatment of such cases fresh air by day and night +is essential; cold sponging, followed by friction with a rough +towel, and exercise are desirable.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_200" id="Page_200">[Pg 200]</a></span></p> + + +<h4>PNEUMONIA.</h4> + +<p>Dr. Julius Poheman says in <i>Medical News</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The effect of alcohol upon nearly all the organs of the body +has been carefully investigated. But, strange to say, literature +contains only a few straggling hints upon the action of alcohol +on the pulmonary tissue. It has long been known that the +abuse of alcohol is a predisposing cause of death when the +drinker is attacked with pneumonia. No experimental evidence +has been published of the action of alcohol in producing pathological +conditions in the lungs. In order to determine this +action, a series of experiments was made upon dogs in the winters +of 1890-1891 and 1892-1893. The dogs were a mixed lot +of mongrels gathered in by the city dog catchers. They varied +in weight from fifteen to twenty-five pounds, and were apparently +in good health. In all, thirty animals were experimented +on.</p> + +<p>“The experiments were performed as follows:—A carefully +etherized animal had injected into his trachea just below the +larynx a quantity of commercial alcohol varying from one dram +to one ounce in amount. The effects of equal amounts of alcohol +upon animals of the same weight varies greatly. Two dogs, +weighing twenty-five pounds each, were injected with two +drams of alcohol. One died in one hour, and the other in six +hours after the injection. Four other dogs, two weighing +twenty-four pounds each, another eighteen pounds, and the +fourth fifteen pounds, were all injected with the same amount, +two drams. All four survived, and were as well as usual in +four weeks. Another dog of eighteen pounds died five minutes +after an injection of two drams, while another of fifteen pounds +took one ounce and recovered.</p> + +<p>“The symptoms in the dogs were all alike, dyspnea, increasing +as the inflammation increased, until the accessory muscles +of respiration were called into play. The stethoscope showed +that air had great difficulty in entering the bronchi and air +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_201" id="Page_201">[Pg 201]</a></span>vesicles, and showed also the tumultuous beating of the heart in +pumping blood through the lung. It was impossible to take the +temperatures. Post-mortem examinations showed the lungs +dark, congested and solid in some places. The air passages +were filled with frothy, bloody mucus, even in the dog that died +in five minutes. On section, the lungs were dark, congested, +and full of bloody mucus. This shows how acutely sensitive +the respiratory passages are to the action of alcohol. On microscopic +examination of the lungs, the air tubes and vesicles +were found filled with immense numbers of red and white corpuscles +and much mucus. The same picture was presented as +in a slide from the lungs of a broncho-pneumonic child.</p> + +<p>“The striking similarity between the two is enough to prove +that the pathological condition is the same, and that alcohol +has produced a lesion very closely resembling, if not absolutely +like, that of broncho-pneumonia in the human subject. This +to some extent explains why drunkards attacked by pneumonia +succumb more readily than the temperate. The sensitive lung +tissue is enveloped in alcohol—flowing through the capillaries +of the lung on one side, and exhaled, filling the air vesicles and +tubes on the other. The condition must create a state of semi-engorgement +or of mild inflammation, similar to the drunkard’s +red nose, or his engorged gastric mucous membrane. Such a +state will reduce the vitality of the pulmonary tissue, and its +power of resistance to external influences. Add to this an inflammation +such as a pneumonia, and the lungs find themselves +unable to stand the pressure.”</p></div> + +<p>As previous chapters contain much showing the +reasons why alcohol is dangerous in pneumonia, +space need not be taken here to do more than indicate +briefly some points of non-alcoholic treatment.</p> + +<p>Pneumonia is generally supposed to result from a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_202" id="Page_202">[Pg 202]</a></span>cold; it is ushered in by the symptoms of a chill, +followed by fever, headache, shortness of breath, +pain in chest, etc. It sometimes occurs as a complication +of typhoid fever and other acute diseases.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It is not a very fatal disease in young and healthy subjects, +but in weak children, old persons and habitual drinkers, it is a +very fatal malady.”</p></div> + +<p><i>Nature Cure</i> recommends a vapor bath immediately +upon the appearance of the first symptoms, +together with copious drinking of hot lemonade, +and a good supply of pure fresh air in the room, +together with the application of alternating hot and +cold compresses, <i>and no drugs</i>.</p> + +<p>Dr. Kellogg says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Cool compresses or ice-bags, alternated every three hours +by hot fomentations for ten minutes, should be applied to the +chest, particularly to the affected side, the seat of pain. The +hot fomentations relieve the pain, and the cold compresses +check the diseased process. The compresses should be wrung +out of cold water, and changed every five to eight minutes, or as +often as they become warm. Although the cool compresses +are not usually liked by the patient, they will soon give relief +if their use is continued, and they do much towards shortening +the course of the disease. Care should be taken to keep the +patient’s body from being wet except where the treatment is +applied. The cold compress is much used in the large hospitals +of Germany. When the pulse becomes as rapid as 95 to +110 or more, cool sponging, the wet-sheet pack, the cool full +bath or the cool enema should be employed. When much +chilliness is produced by the contact of water with the skin, the +cold enema is a most admirably useful measure. The amount +of water required is from half a pint to a pint. The tempera<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_203" id="Page_203">[Pg 203]</a></span>ture +may be 40 to 60 degrees. The apartment should be kept +as cool as possible without discomfort, and an abundance of +fresh air should be continually supplied.</p> + +<p>“The diet of the patient should consist of milk, oatmeal +gruel, ripe fruit, and similar easily digested food. No meat, +eggs or other stimulating food should be allowed.</p> + +<p>“Discontinue the cold treatment after the first twenty-four to +forty-eight hours. If the surface is cold, apply hot sponging or +a hot pack. Avoid causing chilliness.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Pre-Natal Influence of Alcohol</span>:—“The use of beer +as a medicine during pregnancy is without doubt perilous to +the health and vigor of the offspring. Children born under +such conditions are sickly and feeble, and suffer from disease +more severely than others, or die early. Alcoholic prescriptions +to pregnant women are, from all present knowledge of the +facts, both dangerous and reprehensible in the highest degree.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +T. D. Crothers</span>, Hartford, Conn.</p> + +<p>“M. Fere, an eminent French physician, recently reported to +the Biological Society of Paris the results of experiments which +he had been conducting for the purpose of throwing light upon +this question. These experiments demonstrate that the exposure +of hen’s eggs to the influence of the vapor of alcohol, +previous to incubation, retards the development of the embryo, +and favors the production of malformations. It is evident from +these experiments that alcohol may act directly upon the embryo +when there is no marked influence of alcoholism in the +parent.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Pain After Food</span>:—“This may occur in acute or chronic +gastric catarrh, or in a neuralgic or oversensitive condition of +the stomach, or in ulcer or cancer of that organ. In all these +it comes on soon after food has been swallowed; but, if occurring +a long time after a meal, it is probably due to atonic dyspepsia. +Alcohol will undoubtedly sometimes relieve this kind of +pain by deadening the nerves of the stomach so that the pain is +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_204" id="Page_204">[Pg 204]</a></span>not felt so much; but this effect soon passes off, and if the cause +of the malady is not removed by other means, increasing quantities +of alcohol will be required to give relief. Many cases of +drink-craving have originated in this way. Medical aid will generally +be required. A small mustard poultice over the pit of the +stomach is often useful, especially in inflammatory cases, or any +other outward application of heat. Food should be fluid, or +semi-fluid, and digestible. Ginger tea, or peppermint water, +may serve to disperse gas.”</p></div> + + +<h4>POISON, ANIMAL.</h4> + +<p>The following by Dr. Chas. H. Shepard, of Brooklyn, +who introduced the Turkish bath into America, +is taken from the <i>Journal of the A. M. A.</i>, for +Nov. 13, 1897:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Animal poison is by no means uncommon, and so quick +and mysterious is its action that a prompt remedy is a vital necessity. +There is good reason to believe that the numerous +remedies that have been recommended from earliest times as +antidotes for animal poison are worthless, as they have not the +properties commonly ascribed to them. The paucity of remedies +is so great that alcohol is the one which comes most +quickly to the mind of those who have been taught in the traditions +of the past, and who are not fully aware of its action on +the human system. We shall endeavor to show that the action +of alcohol is not helpful, but on the contrary is really detrimental; +and also that there is a better way out of the difficulty.</p> + +<p>“If we get a splinter in the body, vital energy is aroused to +get rid of the offending substance, inflammation is set up, and +sloughing goes on until the splinter is voided. If the splinter +is covered with acrid material, the same process is intensified, +and nature endeavors to eliminate the offending substance +through the natural excretions. Upon the peculiarity of the +material depends the direction of this elimination.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_205" id="Page_205">[Pg 205]</a></span></p> +<p>“It is well known that some poisons are thrown off by the +kidneys, some by the lungs, while others again are attacked by +all the emunctories. The difference in the power of the system +to absorb different substances, appropriate whatever can +be utilized, and throw off whatever can not be used, is sometimes +called idiosyncrasy, but more properly it may be called +vital resistance, and upon the integrity of this power rests the +ability to combat disease in all its forms, whether it be the absorption +of any animal virus or the poison resulting from undigested +food. This ability is in proportion to the integrity and +soundness of every tissue and organ of the body. This may be +illustrated by the fact that with a person suffering from kidney +disease, which necessarily impedes elimination, the ordinary +effects of a poison are intensified; therefore whatever aids in +the promotion of good health, or in other words, the normal +action of all the functions, will contribute to the safety of the +individual in any and every emergency.</p> + +<p>“When a person dies from the effect of poisoning, it is simply +because the system was unable to eliminate the offending +substance and was exhausted in the effort. There is a tolerance +of some substances which frequently results in chronic disease, +and again it is shown in what is called the cumulative effect or +acute disease.</p> + +<p>“Those who would hold that a substance is at one time a +medicament, and at another time a poison, have much trouble +in drawing the line between the beneficial and the poisonous +effect. The idea that poisonous substances act on the system +is responsible for many grave mistakes, whereas always, and +under all circumstances, it is the system that does all the action.</p> + +<p>“There might be some excuse for the idea that disease is an +entity, from the facts that have been brought to light by the +germ theory, but this theory is of recent date, while the entity +theory is as old as superstition.</p> + +<p>“Snake poison, which may be cited as a type of other animal +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_206" id="Page_206">[Pg 206]</a></span>poisons, takes effect through the circulation, and acts by paralyzing +the nerve centres, and by altering the condition of the +blood. In ordinary cases death seems to take place by arrest +of respiration, from paralysis of the nerves of motion. The +poison also acts septically, producing at a later period sloughing +and hemorrhage.</p> + +<p>“Dr. Calmette, a noted French scientist, claims that what is +poisonous in the snake’s bite, is not the venom absorbed into +the blood, but a principle which the blood itself has developed +out of the poison. This would necessitate very quick action +when the poison is inserted in one of the large veins, as that is +followed by instant death.</p> + +<p>“The following cases fairly represent some of the tragedies +that are occurring in our everyday life.</p> + +<p>“A man 60 years old falls and dislocates his finger, he goes +to the hospital, where in a short time he dies from blood poisoning. +* * * * * Another man 48 years old, many years a wine +merchant, whose great toe was severely crushed by a heavy +man stepping on it, was taken with blood-poisoning and in +spite of all treatment, even to the amputation of the leg, he +soon succumbed to the disease. * * * * * A young woman +24 years old, picks a pimple on her chin and at once her face +begins to swell. In vain was all medical treatment, for in a +few days she died in terrible agony. * * * * * About a year +ago there died in Brooklyn, N. Y., a physician in his 38th year, +who six days previously received a slight scratch in his hand +while performing a post-mortem examination. All that medical +science could suggest was done to no avail. * * * * * In +the summer of 1896 a young woman 22 years of age was bitten +on the leg by an insect. Several physicians were called in but +their treatment gave no relief; blood-poisoning set in; it was +decided to amputate the leg, but before it could be done she +died. * * * * * In July, 1896, a veterinary surgeon 34 years +of age, while removing a cancer from a horse pricked his finger +with his knife. The wound was so slight that he forgot all +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_207" id="Page_207">[Pg 207]</a></span>about it. A few days later blood-poisoning set in and in a +short time his end came. * * * * * Some forty years ago a +man named Whitney was teasing a rattlesnake in a Broadway +barroom, was bitten by it, and, though whisky was poured +down his throat by the quart, he soon died.</p> + +<p>“Such results seem entirely unnecessary were the proper +course pursued, and at the same time they are a fearful commentary +on the medical resources of the day.</p> + +<p>“The latest researches in regard to alcohol reveal it as a +poison to the human system in whatever way it may be diluted +or disguised. Its effect is always the same in proportion to the +amount taken. It is impossible to habitually use it in any +form, even in small quantities, without disease and degeneration +resulting therefrom. When taken into the stomach the +action is the same as with any other narcotic; the meaning of +this word is <i>to become torpid</i>. It benumbs the nerves of sensation, +and thus the vital resistance to any offending material is +reduced, and while the patient <i>feels</i> less of any disturbance the +real harm goes on with accumulated force because of the lack +of vitality and non-resistance of the nervous system.</p> + +<p>“When the body is in the throes of a vital struggle with a +virulent poison it would seem, to any unprejudiced mind, the +height of folly to further weaken the vital resistance by the +administration of any narcotic, and especially alcohol.</p> + +<p>“The eminent German, Professor Bunge, says: ‘All the +results which on superficial observation appear to show that +alcohol possesses stimulant properties, can be explained on the +ground that they were due to paralysis.’ * * * * * Professors +S. Weir Mitchell and E. T. Reichert, in <i>Researches on Serpent +Poison</i>, make this notable statement: ‘Despite the +popular creed, it is now pretty sure that many men have been +killed by the alcohol given to relieve them from the effects of +snake bite, and it is a matter of record that men dead drunk +with whiskey and then bitten, have died of the bite.’</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_208" id="Page_208">[Pg 208]</a></span></p> +<p>“As a great contrast to the weakness of the mass of our +people who are drug-takers and alcohol-consumers, and who +are liable to almost any epidemic that comes along, and quickly +succumb to a serious injury, may be mentioned the Turkish +soldiers of to-day, who know nothing of drugs as we use them +and never use alcohol in any form. During the late controversy +with the Greeks, one of them who was reported as having been +shot in the stomach, remained in the ranks, and afterward +walked ten miles. Another one who was wounded twice in +the legs and once in the shoulder, continued attending to his +duties for twenty-four hours, until an officer noticed his condition +and ordered him to the hospital. The heat was tremendous, +but the troops endured it without complaint, and the +doctors were astonished at the wonderful vitality of the wounded +Turks, who recovered with remarkable rapidity. This, with good +reason, is attributed to their abstemious lives.</p> + +<p>“It has been stated that the Moqui Indians handle the +rattlesnake with impunity, and are not inconvenienced by its +occasional bite.</p> + +<p>“The rational treatment of animal poison is to endeavor to +prevent the entry of the virus into the circulation and to neutralize +it in the wound before it is absorbed; but when it has entered +the system everything should be done for its elimination.</p> + +<p>“The most powerful aid to the human system, and the most +perfect eliminator known to man is heat. It is used with much +advantage, and great success by means of water, both internally +and externally, but above all is its use by hot air, as in the +Turkish bath, which works in harmony with every natural +function, promoting the action of all the secretions, and more +particularly the excretions. By this means will the system unload +itself of an accumulation of impurities in an incredibly +short space of time, while the heat aids in destroying whatever +there may be of virus therein.</p> + +<p>“Calmette, whom we have previously quoted, has shown +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_209" id="Page_209">[Pg 209]</a></span>that whatever be the source of snake venom, its active principle +is destroyed by being submitted to a temperature of about 212 +degrees for a variable length of time.</p> + +<p>“In the not remote future thousands of human beings will +owe to the Turkish bath not only an immunity from disease +in general, but also an escape from the horrors of a premature +death from hydrophobia, the poison of snake bite, or the slower +action of infectious disease.</p> + +<p>“The mass of testimony that has been accumulating for +over thirty years past is more than sufficient to convince any +reasonable mind that is willing to examine the facts.</p> + +<p>“The medical profession has searched the world over and +under for the means of controlling disease, while within the +human body itself lies the vital power which needs only to be +cultivated and exalted to its true function to banish the mass +of disease from the land.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Shepard states in another article that Turkish +baths are now used in London and Paris for the +cure of hydrophobia.</p> + +<p>Dr. J. H. Kellogg says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A great number of remedies have acquired the reputation +of being cures for snake bites. The partisans of each one of +these have been able to produce a large number of cases, which +apparently supported their claims; the uniform testimony of all +scientific authorities upon this subject, however, is that all these +so-called antidotes are worthless. Prof. W. Watson Cheyne, +M. B., F. R. C. S., surgeon of Kings College Hospital, London, +England, states, in the <i>International Encyclopedia of Surgery</i>, +that ‘there is no known antidote by which the venom can be +neutralized, nor any prophylactic.’ This eminent authority also +remarks further: ‘Hence medication with this view is to be +avoided altogether, and the aim of treatment should be to prevent +the poison from gaining access to the general circulation, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_210" id="Page_210">[Pg 210]</a></span>and to avoid its prostrating effects if its entrance has already +taken place.’ The same writer asserts that the only aim of the +constitutional treatment should be ‘to sustain the strength until +the poison shall have been eliminated.’ The idea that the +saturation of the body with whisky to the point of intoxication, +if possible, is beneficial in these cases, is in the highest degree +erroneous. Whisky intoxication, according to Dr. Cheyne, +actually ‘favors the injurious effect of the poison. What is required +is to keep the patient alive until the poison has been +eliminated.’ Whisky will not do this, but actually aids the +poison in its fatal work by lessening the resistance of the +patient, and hence lessening his chances for recovery.</p> + +<p>“The reputation of whisky as a remedy in these cases is due +to the fact that on an average only one person in eight who is +bitten by a rattlesnake is really poisoned; the reasons for this +were fully explained in an interesting paper on ‘Rattlesnakes,’ +by the eminent Dr. S. Weir Mitchell, and published in the +Smithsonian Contributions to <i>Knowledge</i> for 1860. If the +snake strikes several times before inflicting a wound, the sacs +containing the venom may be emptied, so that the succeeding +bite will introduce only the most minute quantity of poison—not +enough to produce serious, or fatal results. If the part +bitten is covered by clothing, the poison may be absorbed by +the clothing, so that but very little enters the circulation. In +various other ways the snake is prevented from inflicting a fatal +wound. The popular idea, that every bite of a rattlesnake is +necessarily poisonous, is thus shown to be erroneous. It is not +at all probable that the administration of whisky has ever in +any case contributed to the long life of a person bitten by a +rattlesnake.</p> + +<p>“Whisky is often recommended by physicians with the idea +that it will sustain the energies of the patient, or will stimulate +the heart, etc.; but it has been clearly shown that alcohol +in all forms is not only useless for these purposes, but does +actual damage, since it lessens the resistance of the patient, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_211" id="Page_211">[Pg 211]</a></span>weakens the heart, and helps along the prostration which is the +characteristic effect of the rattlesnake venom. Alcohol has, +for many years, been used as an antidote for collapse under an +anæsthetic administered for surgical purposes, but no intelligent +physician nowadays thinks of using alcohol for such a purpose; +instead, alcohol is given before the anæsthetic for the purpose +of facilitating its effect. Errors of this sort which have once +become established are very hard to uproot. Probably some +physicians will continue to use alcohol for shock, exhaustion, +general debility and similar conditions as well as for rattlesnake +poisoning for another quarter of a century, but such use +of alcohol does not belong to the domain of rational medicine +and is not supported by scientific facts.”</p> + +<p>“Under the Pasteur method, a man who did not take alcohol +was much more likely to recover from the bite of a mad dog +than one bitten under the same conditions, who used that drug; +while in lock-jaw there was absolute failure to secure immunity +if the patient had taken alcohol. In India it used to be given in +large quantities for snake bite, but it was found that it had a +direct effect in interfering with the processes of repair, and so +is being abandoned.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Sims Woodhead</span>, of the Royal +College of Physicians and Surgeons, London, Eng.</p> + +<p>“Nothing could be more irrational and dangerous than the +popular notion concerning the antagonism of whisky and +snake-bites, and Willson reports that several of the fatalities in +his series were directly due to alcohol rather than to the +bite.”—<i>Editorial, Journal of the American Medical Ass’n.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Rheumatism</span>:—“Unquestionably, the most active cause of +rheumatism, as well as of migraine, sick-headache, Bright’s +disease, neurasthenia and a number of other kindred diseases, +is the general use of flesh food, tea and coffee, and alcoholic +liquors. As regards remedies, there are no medicinal agents +which are of any permanent value in the treatment of chronic +rheumatism. The disease can be remedied only by regimen,<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_212" id="Page_212">[Pg 212]</a></span>—that +is, by diet and training. A simple dietary, consisting of +fruits, grains, and nuts, and particularly the free use of fruits, +must be placed in the first rank among the radical curative +measures. Water, if taken in abundance, is also a means of +washing out the accumulated poisons.</p> + +<p>“An individual afflicted with rheumatism in any form should +live, so far as possible, an out-of-door life, taking daily a sufficient +amount of exercise to induce vigorous perspiration. A +cool morning sponge bath, followed by vigorous rubbing, and a +moist pack to the joints most seriously affected, at night, are +measures which are worthy of a faithful trial. Every person +who is suffering from this disease should give the matter immediate +attention, as it is a malady which is progressive, and is +one of the most potent causes of premature old age, and general +physical deterioration. American nervousness is probably more +often due to uric acid, or to the poisons which it represents, +than to any other one cause.”—<i>Good Health.</i></p> + +<p>“Alcohol favors the development of rheumatism. It does +this by preventing waste matter from leaving the system. Beer +and wine, because they contain lime and salts, are said to +cause rheumatism, or at least to aid in its development. These +salts are absorbed into the system, unite with the uric acid, +and form an insoluble urate of lime, which is deposited around +the joints, thus causing them to become enlarged and stiff. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“The success of the Turkish bath treatment has been phenomenal. +Of over 3,000 cases treated here at least 95 per cent. +have been entirely relieved, or greatly helped. Some who were +treated over twenty years ago have stated that they have not +had a twinge of rheumatism since. Very few have persevered +in the use of the bath without experiencing permanent relief.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +Charles H. Shepard</span>, Brooklyn.</p> + +<p>“Those having a bath cabinet can have a good substitute at +home for the Turkish bath. Remember that if tobacco and alcohol +are indulged in, there can be no permanent relief.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_213" id="Page_213">[Pg 213]</a></span></p> + +<p><i>The New Hygiene</i> says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Under no circumstances take any of the thousand and one +nostrums advertised as sure cures for this disease. Pure unadulterated +blood is the only remedy. This can only be produced +by cleansing the system of impurities, and giving it the +right kind of material out of which to make it. Keep out the +poisonous physic, clean out the colon, strengthen the lungs, and +feed the system with proper food, and this disease will vanish +like a fog before the rising sun.”</p></div> + +<p>The same book in advocating the use of the Turkish +bath for rheumatism, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The fact, which is well attested, that when a person enters +the bath the urine may be strongly acid, but, on leaving the +bath, after half an hour, it is markedly alkaline, shows that the +bath has a strong effect upon the system.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Ridge says of <i>rheumatic fever</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I would urge most strongly the desirability of avoiding +every form of alcoholic liquor, from the very commencement of +the disease, as affording the best chance for a speedy and safe +recovery. The highest authorities are agreed on this point, but +there is a lingering practice which makes reference necessary in +order to confirm the wavering.”</p></div> + +<p>In Mt. Sinai Hospital, New York, the hot blanket +pack is used in acute rheumatism, almost to the exclusion +of other methods. The pack should be +continued two to four hours at least, and may be +repeated two or three times within the twenty-four +hours with advantage.</p> + +<p><i>Nature Cure</i> says that thorough massage, and +half a dozen cups of hot lemonade will cure a severe +case of sciatica:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_214" id="Page_214">[Pg 214]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The massage should be commenced moderately, and increased +as the patient can bear it. Rubbing and slapping of +the muscles with bare hands will hasten a cure, and be agreeable +to the patient. One to two hours treatment, if <i>vigorous</i>, +will effect a cure.”</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sea-Sickness</span>:—Brandy is a common resort in +this trouble, many taking it under such circumstances +who would under no other. Yet it frequently +adds to the sickness, instead of relieving +it.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Be sparing in diet for two or three days before the expected +voyage. If very sensitive, take to your berth as soon as you +go on board, or lie down on deck; get near the centre of the +vessel, and lie with your feet to the stern. Go to sleep if +possible. Iced water may be sipped, but nothing solid should +be taken at first; after a while a cracker or wafer may be +taken.”</p></div> + +<p>It is said upon good authority that if two or three +apples are eaten shortly before going on board, or +before rough water is encountered, sea-sickness is +entirely averted. It will be well to partake of no +other food for some hours previous to the voyage +when trying this.</p> + +<p><i>Good Health</i> says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“If any of our readers have occasion to cross the ocean in the +stormy season, we recommend three things; keep horizontal, +with the head low; put an ice-bag to the back of the neck, +keep the stomach clean, free from greasy foods and meats, and eat +nothing till there is an appetite for food. A habitually clean +dietary before going on board is doubtless a good preparation +for such a voyage, as well as for any other nerve strain, or test +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_215" id="Page_215">[Pg 215]</a></span>of endurance. It pays to be good—to your stomach, as well as +in other ways.”</p></div> + +<p>The following is guaranteed by a Russian physician +to be an effective cure and a means of avoiding +sea-sickness when the symptoms first make their +appearance. Take long and deep inspirations. +About twenty breaths should be taken every +minute, and they should be as deep as possible. +After thirty or forty inspirations the symptoms will +be found to abate. This is recommended for +dyspepsia also.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Sore Nipples</span>:—“Alum water, or tannin, used for several +months in advance will harden as effectually as brandy. If +there is soreness on commencing to nurse, put a pinch of alum +into milk, and apply the curd to the nipple.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Spasms</span>:—“These are caused by flatulence, as a result of +indigestion. A little hot ginger tea, or capsicum tea, may do +all that is required. If these are not at hand, loosen every +tight band, rub well the region of the heart and stomach, slap +the face with the corner of a wet towel, and give sips of cold +water.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Shock</span>:—“In shock, or collapse, the state is similar in some +respects to that which is present in fainting. Every function is +almost at a standstill; absorption from the stomach and elsewhere +is at its lowest point, because the circulation of the +blood is so much interfered with. Hence much of the brandy +which is so often given, and to such a wonderful amount, with +very little apparent effect of intoxication, is really not absorbed +at all, and is very often rejected from the stomach by vomiting, +when reaction does occur, if not before.</p> + +<p>“The patient should be wrapped up warmly, and put to bed +as soon as possible. The limbs may be rubbed with hot +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_216" id="Page_216">[Pg 216]</a></span>flannels, and hot water bottles put to hands and feet. In some +cases, also, towels wrung out of hot water may be wrapped +around the head. Hot milk and water, hot water slightly +sweetened, or with a little peppermint water in it, should be given +as soon as the patient can swallow. Hot beverages will warm +the skin more rapidly and powerfully than any alcoholic liquor.</p> + +<p>“If the patient cannot swallow, an enema of hot water, or +hot, thin gruel, should be administered, and may be of use in +addition to hot drinks. Beef extract may be added to the hot +water with advantage.</p> + +<p>“In the vast majority of cases there need be no anxiety so +far as the shock is concerned; reaction will occur in due time +if ordinary care be taken, and will be more natural and steady +if the system is not embarrassed by the presence of the narcotic +alcohol. In the state of collapse the voluntary nervous +system is depressed; alcohol diminishes the power and activity +of the nervous centres of the brain, hence its action is undesirable +in shock or collapse.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. J. Ridge</span>, London.</p> + +<p>“No procedure could be more senseless than the administering +alcohol in shock. A stimulant of some kind is necessary +in such cases, and alcohol, instead of being a stimulant is a +narcotic. * * * * * Alcohol causes a decrease of temperature, +the very thing to be avoided in cases of shock.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. +H. Kellogg</span>.</p> + +<p>“I am perfectly sure that a large dose of alcohol in shock +puts a nail in the coffin of the patient.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. H. C. Wood</span> of +the University of Pennsylvania.</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sinking Sensations</span>:—Many women have a +feeling of weakness or “goneness” at about eleven +o’clock in the morning, and are led by it to the +injurious practice of eating between meals. It is +often due to indigestion, or to the use of beer or +wine. A few sips of hot milk, of fruit juice, or +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_217" id="Page_217">[Pg 217]</a></span>even of cold water will often relieve it, especially if +total abstinence is persevered in.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Sudden Illness</span>:—“Those taken suddenly ill are likely to +fare best if placed in a recumbent position, with head slightly +elevated, all tightness of garments about the neck or waist +relieved, and a little cold water given in case of ability to +swallow. A mustard plaster on the back of the neck, or over +the stomach, and hot water or hot bottles to the feet, are never +out of place, while vinegar, or smelling salts, or dilute ammonia +to the nostrils is reviving.”—<span class="smcap">Ezra M. Hunt</span>, M. D., late +secretary of New Jersey State Board of Health.</p> + +<p>“Both the popular and professional beliefs in the efficacy of +alcoholic liquids for relieving exhaustion, faintness, shock, etc. +are equally fallacious. All these conditions are temporary, and +rapidly recovered from by simply the recumbent position, and +free access to fresh air. Ninety-nine out of every hundred of +such cases pass the crisis before the attendants have time to +apply any remedies, and when they do, the sprinkling of cold +water on the face, and the vapor of camphor or carbonate of +ammonia to the nostrils, are the most efficacious remedies, and +leave none of the secondary evil effects of brandy, whisky or +wine.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. N. S. Davis.</span></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Sunstroke</span>:—“There has lately been a correspondence in +the <i>Morning Post</i> on the subject of ‘Sunstroke and Alcohol.’ +We quite agree with the statement that ‘nothing predisposes +people to sunstroke so much as this pernicious habit of taking +stimulants (so-called) during the hot weather.’ As far as this +country is concerned, nearly every case of sunstroke might be +more appropriately designated ‘beerstroke.’ One effect of +alcohol is to paralyze the heat-regulating mechanism; the blood +becomes overloaded with waste material, and the narcotism, +and vasomotor paralysis, produced by the alcohol, is added to +that produced by the heat. Abstainers, other things being +equal, can always endure extremes of temperature better than +consumers of alcohol.”—<i>Medical Pioneer</i>, England.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_218" id="Page_218">[Pg 218]</a></span></p> +<p>“During the month of January, 1896, there occurred over three +hundred deaths from sunstroke in Australia. When called +upon to offer suggestions relative to its prevention, the medical +board promptly informed the Colonial government that, of all +the predisposing causes, none were so potent as indulgence in +intoxicating liquors, and in its treatment nothing seemed to +have a more disastrous effect than the administration of alcoholic +stimulants.”—<i>Medical News.</i></p></div> + +<p>The <i>Bulletin of the A. M. T. A.</i> for August, 1896, +contained the following:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Recently a leading medical man, a teacher in a college, +warned his student audience against the anti-alcoholic theories +urged by extremists and persons whose zeal was greater than +their intelligence. He affirmed positively that the value of +alcohol was well known in medicine, and established by long +years of experience.</p> + +<p>“Not long afterward a man was brought into his office in a +state of collapse from sunstroke, and this physician and teacher +ordered large quantities of brandy to be administered; the patient +died soon after.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. T. D. Crothers tells of a case where alcohol +was administered to a child for partial sunstroke, +and says, “there were many reasons for believing +that the profound poisoning from alcohol gave a +permanent bias and tendency that developed into +inebriety later.”</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“When a person falls with sunstroke (or heatstroke) he +should at once be carried to a cool, shady place. His clothing +should be removed, and cold applications made to the head, +and over the whole body. Pieces of ice may be packed around +the head, or cold water may be poured upon the body. Cold +enema may also be employed. In case the face is pale, hot +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_219" id="Page_219">[Pg 219]</a></span>applications should be made to the head and over the heart +and the body should be rubbed vigorously.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. H. Kellogg.</span></p></div> + + +<h4>TYPHOID FEVER.</h4> + +<p>As many lives are lost by this disease, its treatment +must ever be one of intense interest, not only +to physicians, but also to all humanity. Since +non-alcoholic treatment has reduced the death-rate +in typhoid to five per cent., the views regarding such +treatment expressed by leading practitioners will +doubtless be read with eagerness.</p> + +<p>The following is a paper by Dr. N. S. Davis +taken from the <i>Medical Temperance Quarterly</i>.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“<span class="smcap">Alleged Indications for the Use of Alcohol in +the Treatment of Typhoid Fever</span>:—On the first page of +the first number of a new medical journal bearing date July, 1895, +may be found the following statement: ‘The question of administering +alcohol comes up in every case of typhoid fever. In mild +cases, especially when the patient is young, healthy and temperate, +stimulants are not needed so long as the disease follows +the typical course. Here, as elsewhere, alcohol should be +avoided when not absolutely demanded. There is, however, +generally such a dangerous tendency toward nervous exhaustion, +that in a majority of cases more or less alcohol is required. +The indication which calls for its use is an inability to administer +enough food. * * * * * Again, the existence of high +temperature nearly always makes it necessary to stimulate the +patient, as does threatened nervous exhaustion and heart +failure, for immediate effect; likewise a weak, small, compressible, +rapid pulse, with impaired cardiac impulse and systolic +sound, is a frequent indication; other remedies may be required, +but alcohol cannot be dispensed with.’ The next para<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_220" id="Page_220">[Pg 220]</a></span>graph +continues: ‘It is necessary to give alcohol in serious +complications of typhoid fever, such as pneumonia, pleurisy, +hemorrhage and severe bronchitis or diarrhœa. It is best to begin +giving it early and in small quantities: two to six ounces is +a moderate amount, eight to twelve ounces daily is not too +much for adynamic or complicated cases.’</p> + +<p>“The foregoing quotations purport to have been condensed +from one of our recent authoritative works on practical medicine, +and doubtless fairly represent the prevailing opinions +concerning the use of alcohol in the treatment of typhoid and +other fevers, both in and out of the profession. A careful +reading will show that the whole is founded on the following +four assumptions:</p> + +<p>“1. That alcohol when taken into the living body acts as a +general stimulant, and especially so to the cardiac and vasomotor +functions. 2. That in mild, uncomplicated cases of +typhoid fever in young and previously healthy subjects, stimulants +are not required and no alcohol should be given. 3. That +in a ‘majority of cases’ the tendency toward dangerous ‘nervous +exhaustion’ and ‘heart failure’ is so great that the giving +of ‘more or less alcohol is required.’ 4. The amount required +may vary from two to twelve or more ounces per day.</p> + +<p>“In the two preceding numbers of this journal, I have endeavored +to show that the chief causes of nervous exhaustion +and heart failure, in typhoid and other fevers were impairment +of the hemoglobin and corpuscular elements of the blood, deficient +reception and internal distribution of oxygen, and molecular +degeneration of the muscular structures of the heart itself. +These important pathological conditions are doubtless caused +by the specific toxic agent or agents giving rise to the fever. +Consequently the rational objects of treatment are to stop the +further action of the specific cause, either by neutralization, or +elimination, or both; to stop the further impairment of the +hemoglobin and other elements of the blood; and to increase +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_221" id="Page_221">[Pg 221]</a></span>the reception and internal distribution of oxygen, by which we +will most effectually prevent further fatty or granular degeneration +of cardiac and other structures. The language of the +paragraphs I have quoted, fairly assumes that alcohol is a +<i>stimulant</i> capable of relieving nervous exhaustion and cardiac +failures, regardless of the causes producing those pathological +conditions, and consequently its use is necessary in the ‘majority +of cases’ of typhoid fever.</p> + +<p>“Can such an assumption be sustained by either established +facts, or correct reasoning? Can nervous and cardiac exhaustion, +induced by the presence of toxic agents in the blood, with +deficiency of both hemoglobin and oxygen, be relieved by a +simple <i>stimulant</i>, that neither neutralizes nor eliminates the +toxic agents, nor increases either the hemoglobin or oxygen? +That alcohol does not neutralize or destroy toxic ptomaines, or +tox-albumins, is proved by abundant clinical experience, and also +by the fact that chemists use it freely in the processes for separating +these substances from other organic matters for experimental +purposes. That its presence in the living body retards +metabolic changes generally, and thereby aids in retaining +instead of eliminating toxic agents of all kinds, has been so +fully shown in the pages of preceding numbers of the <i>Medical +Temperance Quarterly</i>, that the leading facts need not be repeated +here. That its presence does not increase the hemoglobin, +or favor oxy-hemoglobin or increased internal distribution +of oxygen, but decidedly the reverse, has been equally well +demonstrated by numerous and reliable experimental researches +in this and other countries.</p> + +<p>“Then it must be conceded that alcohol is not capable of +fulfilling either of the important indications presented in the +treatment of typhoid fever as stated above. Nevertheless, the +advocates of its use apparently recognize but two ideas or +factors in these cases, namely, the popularly inherited assumption +that alcohol is a <i>stimulant</i>, and as the patient is in danger +from nervous and cardiac weakness, therefore the alcohol must +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_222" id="Page_222">[Pg 222]</a></span>be given, <i>pro re nata</i> without the slightest regard to the existing +causes of the weakness, or the <i>modus operandi</i> of the so-called +stimulant.</p> + +<p>“This is proved by the fact that they group together as +stimulants, and give to the same patient in alternate doses, +remedies of directly antagonistic action, as alcohol and strychnine, +or digitalis, etc.</p> + +<p>“The accepted definition of a stimulant in medical literature, +is some agent capable of exciting or increasing <i>vital activity</i> as +a whole, or the natural activity of some one structure or organ.</p> + +<p>“For instance, both clinical and experimental observations +show that strychnine directly increases the functional activity of +the respiratory, cardiac and vasomotor nervous systems, and +thereby increases the internal distribution of oxygen, which is +nature’s own special exciter of all vital action. Therefore it is +properly a direct respiratory, cardiac and vasomotor stimulant +and indirectly a stimulator of all vital processes. But the same +kind of clinical and experimental observations show that +alcohol directly diminishes the functional activity of all nerve +structures, pre-eminently those of respiration and circulation, +and also of all metabolic processes, whether respirative, disintegrative +or secretory. Consequently it not only acts as directly +antagonistic to strychnine, but equally so to all true stimulants +or remedies capable of increasing vital activity. Instead, therefore, +of meriting the name of <i>stimulant</i>, alcohol should be designated +and used only as an anæsthetic and sedative, or +depressor of vital activity.</p> + +<p>“And a thorough and impartial investigation will show that its +use in the treatment of typhoid and other fevers, while deceiving +both physician and patient, by its anæsthetic effect in diminishing +restlessness, both prolongs the duration and increases +the ratio of mortality of the disease, by its impairment of vital +activity in the organizable elements of both blood and tissues.”</p></div> + +<p>Equally interesting is the following outline of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_223" id="Page_223">[Pg 223]</a></span>treatment pursued by Dr. W. H. Riley, of the Battle +Creek Sanitarium.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The purpose of the present paper is to give briefly an outline +of the method of treatment of typhoid fever as used by the +writer in a considerable number of cases.</p> + +<p>“A consideration of the pathology of this disease does not +properly come under this head, but we wish simply to call attention +to the well-known fact that typhoid fever is a germ +disease. The germ which causes this fever has generally been +supposed to be the bacillus of Eberth. More recent bacteriological +studies rather indicate that the bacillus coli may also +cause the disease. These germs are usually carried into the +body in food or drink, and, lodging in the small intestines, begin +to grow and multiply, and by their life produce poisonous +ptomaines which are absorbed and carried by the circulation to +all the organs and tissues of the body.</p> + +<p>“It is these ptomaines, thus carried to all parts of the body, +that are largely the immediate cause of the pyrexia and attending +symptoms. The organisms which produce these poisons +for the most part remain in the intestines, although they have +been found in the spleen.</p> + +<p>“The indications for treatment are:—</p> + +<p>“1. To remove or destroy the cause (to eliminate the germs +and ptomaines from the body).</p> + +<p>“2. To sustain the vital and resisting powers of the patient.</p> + +<p>“If the patient is seen early in the disease, it has been my +practice to immediately put him to bed and give a free dose of +magnesium sulphate. This is preferably given in the morning +or forenoon, and may be repeated once or twice on successive +days. Besides this the patient should have a large enema of +water at a temperature of from 75° to 80° F.; and this may be +repeated daily or even oftener, for some time, if necessary, to +keep the bowels empty of the poisonous substances.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_224" id="Page_224">[Pg 224]</a></span></p> +<p>“The salines and enemas thus used carry out bodily a large +number of germs and ptomaines that are present in the intestines; +and further, the salines, by producing an increased +secretion of the mucous membrane of the intestines, tend to +disentangle and set free many of the germs that have found a +lodging place in the walls of the intestines.</p> + +<p>“For the elimination of the ptomaines which have been absorbed +into the circulation and carried to the tissues, nothing is +better than the internal use of water. From three to five pints +should be drunk during every twenty-four hours. It should be +taken in small quantities—six to eight ounces every hour or two +during waking hours, except when food is taken. I will refer +to this point more in detail later.</p> + +<p>“A consideration of the general care of the patient properly +comes under the second head of the indications for treatment as +given above. The patient should be put to bed in a large, light, +well-ventilated room. At least two sides of the room should +communicate directly by windows with out-of-doors, in order +that the room may be properly ventilated.</p> + +<p>“All unnecessary articles of furniture, such as carpets, +couches, upholstered chairs, pictures, etc. should be removed.</p> + +<p>“The room should be thoroughly cleaned before the patient +is put into it.</p> + +<p>“There should be two beds in the room for the use of the +patient. These should be, preferably, narrow and so placed in +the room that there is a free approach to both sides of the bed, +for the convenience of the nurse in giving treatment. Iron bedsteads +are preferable to wooden. The bedding should be firm, +yet soft and smoothly drawn. There should be just sufficient +covering to protect the body. The patient should be changed +from one bed to the other daily. This may be done by placing +the two beds side by side and carefully moving the patient +from one to the other. The sheets on the bed from which the +patient has been taken should be washed and disinfected at +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_225" id="Page_225">[Pg 225]</a></span>each change of the beds, and all other bedding should be thoroughly +aired and exposed to the sunlight daily.</p> + +<p>“The patient should have the care of a thoroughly educated, +careful and competent nurse, one who understands perfectly +the various methods of using water in the treatment of fevers.</p> + +<p>“There is no other single remedy that I consider so valuable +in the treatment of fever as the internal use of water. As +above stated, the patient should drink six or eight ounces every +hour during the waking hours, except for about two hours after +food is taken. The water should be thoroughly sterilized, and +as a rule may be taken either cool or hot. Ice water is objectionable. +Hot water is often preferable. This is a simple +remedy, but nevertheless is efficacious. It should be given to +the patient whether he calls for it or not, and it should be considered +an important part of his treatment. When water is +taken into the stomach and absorbed into the circulation, it +throws into solution the ptomaines which have been absorbed +from the intestines and are present in the circulation and tissues, +and thereby puts them in a favorable condition for elimination. +It increases the activity of the kidneys, and thus hastens and +increases the elimination of the poisons in the system.</p> + +<p>“In the early stage of the fever, when the pulse is full, and +the action of the heart increased, it is best to give the patient +cool water. Later in the disease, when the action of the heart +is weak, and the patient feeble, it is best to give the water hot.</p> + +<p>“Winternitz, many years ago, demonstrated that hot water +taken into the stomach acts as a cardiac stimulant, and the increased +heart’s action is immediate, or at least before the water +has time to absorb, which indicates that the water in the stomach +acts reflexly as a cardiac stimulant. The water after absorption +also increases the circulation by filling the blood-vessels, +and increasing arterial pressure. The writer has frequently +noticed a decided increase in the fullness, and rapidity of the +pulse, after a patient has drunk a glassful of hot water.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_226" id="Page_226">[Pg 226]</a></span></p> +<p>“The external use of water also forms an important part of +the treatment. The patient should be sponged off with tepid +water every hour or two when the temperature is 103°, or above. +When the temperature is less than this, it is not necessary to +sponge the body so frequently. Sometimes a hot sponge bath +is more efficacious in reducing the temperature than the tepid +or cool bath. The sponge bath reduces the temperature, relieves +many of the distressing nervous symptoms, is refreshing +to the patient, and promotes sleep. The temperature of the +body may also be reduced by the use of cool compresses placed +over the abdomen, and changed frequently.</p> + +<p>“The matter of diet is an important factor in the treatment +of typhoid fever. The diet should be aseptic, easily digested, +and should contain the necessary food elements. Probably no +one article of diet meets all these requirements as well as +sterilized milk. The patient should take from two to three +pints daily. The milk is best taken four times during the day +at intervals of four hours, taking eight to ten ounces at a time. +Should the patient become tired of the milk, gluten gruel may +be substituted for the milk.</p> + +<p>“The diarrhœa and bowel symptoms, when present, may be +relieved by the application of hot fomentations to the abdomen, +warm or hot enemas and twenty grains of subnitrate of bismuth +given every four hours.</p> + +<p>“The patient should be kept as quiet as possible, and should +be turned in bed at intervals, to prevent hypostatic congestion +and the formation of bed-sores. The bony prominences which +are apt to become eroded should be sponged frequently with a +solution of tannic acid in equal parts of alcohol and water; +a dram of the tannic acid to a pint of alcohol and water, is +about the proper strength to use.</p> + +<p>“By the methods briefly outlined above—that is by the free +use of water internally and externally, by keeping the intestines +thoroughly emptied of poisonous material by the free and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_227" id="Page_227">[Pg 227]</a></span>frequent use of enemas, by proper feeding and the careful +attention of a good nurse to the patient and his surroundings—the +duration of the fever may be shortened and the severity +of the disease lessened; heart failure, and other complications +will seldom occur, and the patient will in nearly every instance +make a good recovery. The best method to pursue to prevent +heart failure is to keep the poisons which are generated in the +bowels and absorbed into the body, and which are the +direct cause of the heart failure, eliminated from the body. +Should the heart become weak, it may be effectually stimulated +by giving hot water to drink, applying heat to the heart in the +form of a fomentation, and the application of fomentations to +the upper spine.</p> + +<p>“In the treatment of a large number of cases of typhoid fever, +extending over several years’ practice, the writer has never +made use of alcohol internally to support the action of the +heart, or for any other purpose.</p> + +<p>“The number of cases of death from typhoid fever coming +under the writer’s observation, where the method of treatment +pursued has been similar to that briefly indicated above, have +been very few, a much smaller per cent. than in practice where +alcohol has been used as a ‘cardiac stimulant.’ I believe that +the use of alcohol in the treatment of typhoid fever is not only +useless, but absolutely harmful.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Kate Lindsay, of Battle Creek Sanitarium and +Hospital, contributed an article upon Typhoid Fever +to the <i>Bulletin of the A. M. T. A.</i> for January, +1896, from which a few notes are here taken:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The chief toxic centre is evidently the intestinal tract, +especially the termination of the ileum. The ulcerations, +necroses, perforations and hemorrhages are most frequently +found in the last twelve inches of the small intestine, and may +extend into the large intestine. The ulcerated surface and +open vessels increase the facility with which the poison finds +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_228" id="Page_228">[Pg 228]</a></span>entrance into the circulation. The microbes, blood clots, +necrosed tissue and pus, furnish abundant supplies of toxic +matter, which, saturating the system, over-power and stop the +activity of the functions of all the organs of the body, causing +degeneration of tissues. Death is said to take place from +heart, lung or brain failure, but the failure involves every other +organ as well.</p> + +<p>“Regarding the intestinal tract as any other abscess at this +time, the physician should seek for methods of treatment +or remedies which will remove the morbid matters, and +destroy, or at least inhibit their action, thus decreasing the +fever and stimulating the circulation. Secondary toxic centres +often develop in the course of this disease, notably in the +glands, lungs and dependent organs, the hypostatic congestion +resulting from lying in one position, causing stasis of blood, +death and necrosis of tissue, both of the external and internal +organs. All vessels connected with the dying tissues carry +toxins to other parts of the body. Suppurating glands, and phlebitis +of the femoral veins are examples of this secondary infection, +and are accountable for the heart failure and collapse so +often fatal during the second, third and fourth weeks of typhoid +fever. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“The old idea that in peristaltic action lay the great danger of +increase of the hemorrhage and perforation of the bowels, is +giving way to the more rational view that gaseous distention +and septic absorption, are what bring about fatal results from +these complications, and that the moderate peristalsis of the +intestinal walls lessens these dangers by closing the gaping ends +of the injured vessels, and expelling the septic matter and foul +gases. To meet these indications I have found lavage of the +bowels, even during hemorrhage, with water of 105° to 110° F. +or even hotter, given in moderate quantity of from one pint to +three, to give great relief by freeing the large intestines of blood +clots, fecal matter and other morbid matter. It also increases +peristaltic action in the small intestines, thus favoring the expul<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_229" id="Page_229">[Pg 229]</a></span>sion +of gas. The heat stimulates the circulation in the peripheral +vessels of the intestines, and overcomes the tendency to +blood stasis.</p> + +<p>“In the cases cited, ice-bags, alternated with fomentations, +were used over the abdomen externally, and heat, or hot and +cold, to spine. The extremities were kept warm. From ten to +thirty minims of turpentine, in an ounce of gum acacia or starch +water, increased the efficiency of the enemata, and aided in expelling +the gas and checking hemorrhage.</p> + +<p>“The tendency to hypostatic congestion and bed-sores, was +prevented by frequent change of position, and the use of hot and +cold to the spine by fomentations and compresses, or better +still, hot fine spraying, or the alternate hot and cold spray. In +one grave case, spraying was kept up for about twelve hours, +with only short intermissions. The heart was stimulated by +heat applied over it, whenever depression and collapse threatened, +and by hot and cold sponging of the spine.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Noble said some time ago in the <i>London +Times</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Although it is true that alcohol is an antipyretic, yet its exhibition +neither shortens nor modifies (favorably) the diseases +of which the fever is but a symptom. The paralysis of the +brain which is so frequent a cause of death in typhoid fever, is +more often brought about by alcohol than any other cause, and +more than one woman suffering from puerperal fever has been +done to death by the administration of this substance, which, +not being <i>convenienter naturæ, is contra naturam</i>.”</p></div> + +<p>J. S. Cain, M. D., in an able paper, read at the +Nashville Academy of Medicine, on “Rational Suggestions +in the Treatment of Typhoid Fever,” dissents +from the practice, which still obtains largely +in the medical profession, of administering alcoholic +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_230" id="Page_230">[Pg 230]</a></span>liquors, in the belief that they are “stimulants, conservators +of force and even nutrients,” and says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“After a careful and thoughtful study of this subject, I have +reluctantly, and against firm early convictions, been forced to the +conclusion that these theories with regard to the beneficial effects +of alcohol in disease are wholly fallacious. The only rational +conclusion at which I can arrive is that the agent is ever, +and under all circumstances, a depressor of temperature; that +it arrests the physiological interchange of carbonic acid gas and +oxygen in the tissues, as well as in the air vesicles of the +lungs; that it impedes the elimination of tissue waste, and +causes the accumulation of this refuse in the system; that it is +lethal anæsthetic in all quantities; that it is not stimulant in the +true sense, and never exerts that influence; and that it supplies +no element to the diseased and vitiated system calculated to +antagonize disease, repair waste, or invigorate lowered vital +forces, and therefore for these purposes is not called for in the +rational treatment of typhoid fever.”</p></div> + +<p>At the annual meeting of the American Medical +Association held in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1896, Dr. +G. B. Garber, of Dunkirk, Ind., read a paper upon +“Alcohol in Typhoid Fever” from which a few +points are here taken:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The fact that the mortality from typhoid fever seems to be +gradually lowering is no doubt due in great measure to the +non-use of alcohol in the treatment of the disease. Hardly a +week passes that some of our journals do not report a series of +cases treated without the aid of alcohol in any form. I used +alcohol in the treatment of the disease until two years ago, +when I became alarmed at the mortality; so I changed my +plan, and in 1894 I treated thirty-seven well marked cases of +varying degrees of intensity. I had two fatal cases, and in both +of them I had used alcohol. In 1895 I treated thirty cases of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_231" id="Page_231">[Pg 231]</a></span>about the same type, with no death. I only used alcohol in +one of them, and it caused me more trouble than any of the +others. As this case was in the family of a saloon-keeper, I +could not control the matter, as they would give it during my +absence. On my return I would find the face flushed, the +temperature high, the pulse rapid and the patient nervous. +By close inquiry I would find that some of the family had +given ‘just a little good whisky’ which had been in the house +for twenty years.</p> + +<p>“In closing, I wish to state that I am well convinced that in +the treatment of typhoid fever our patients will do better and +stand a greater chance of recovery, if we abstain entirely from +the use of alcohol in the treatment of the disease.”</p></div> + +<p>Prof. J. Burney Yeo, of London, in a paper read +before the International Medical Congress held at +Rome, Italy, said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In order to maintain the intestinal antisepsis which forms +an essential part of this method of treatment, I insist on the +necessity of scrupulous attention and caution in feeding patients +suffering from enteric fever, great danger arising from a failure +to note the extremely limited digestive and absorptive capacity +exhibited by such patients.</p> + +<p>“In conclusion, the use of alcoholic stimulants, and the +common employment of depressing antipyretic agents, must be +condemned.”</p></div> + +<p>In a report of the treatment of typhoid fever by +seventy-two physicians of Connecticut, thirty-eight +declared that they did not use alcohol in any stage +of this disease. The remainder used it sparingly in +the last stages, and only two considered it valuable +from the beginning of the disease.</p> + +<p>In a discussion of typhoid fever by a medical +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_232" id="Page_232">[Pg 232]</a></span>society meeting in Rochester, N. Y., recently, sixty +physicians being present, only three spoke in favor +of using alcohol in this disease.</p> + +<p>Hygienic physicians all insist upon a rigid fast as +long as the high temperature continues, or until the +patient is sufficiently hungry to eat a piece of plain, +stale, graham bread, “dry upon the tongue.” Dr. +Charles E. Page of Boston says there would be +very few relapses if this plan were carefully carried +out. He contends that the whisky and milk diet, +together with the not over-fresh air of the average +sick room is enough to produce fever in a healthy +person, hence is not likely to be conducive to recovery +in one already infected with the disease.</p> + +<p>In an article in the <i>Arena</i> of September, 1892, Dr. +Page says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In my fever practice I have frequently observed the effect +of fasts of six, eight, ten and twelve days to be in the highest +degree productive of the health and comfort of patients, as, on +the other hand I have, during the past twenty years observed +the deplorable effects of the almost universal plan of constant +feeding. In some of the most distressing cases that have +happened to be thrown in my way, when all hope in the minds +of friends had been abandoned, I have found that withdrawal of +food, drugs and stimulants, and the substitution of simple, fresh, +soft water, has produced results that seemed almost miraculous.”</p></div> + +<p>Fruit juices are now permitted by many physicians +in fever, a few drops of lemon or orange +juice, being a grateful addition to the water. Grape +juice, unfermented, is highly recommended by some.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_233" id="Page_233">[Pg 233]</a></span></p> + +<p>A young minister of great promise died recently +of typhoid fever. His young wife, only one year +married, is in settled melancholy, because she cannot +understand why “God took her husband.” Inquiry +developed the fact that the physician in attendance +was a believer in alcohol as a remedy, and used it +in this case. In view of the better chances of +recovery under non-alcoholic treatment shown by +comparative death-rates, may it not be that the +alcohol was responsible for the young man’s death, +instead of its being “God’s will to take him?” +The Author of all good has too frequently been +held responsible for the errors of physicians, and +the carelessness of nurses.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Vomiting</span>:—“If the vomiting is due to undigested food, +and the sickness can be traced to excess, or to improper diet, +draughts of hot water should be taken in order to be rid of +offending matter in the stomach. After the stomach is empty +bits of ice may be sucked, or cold water sipped. A quarter of +a Seidlitz powder may be taken. A flannel, folded to four +thicknesses, dipped in hot water, and wrung dry in a towel, +may be applied to the pit of the stomach. Cover the flannel +with a hot plate, being careful to have the flannel large enough +to prevent the plate’s burning the skin. Pin a dry towel over +all, around the body. This may be renewed every half-hour or +hour, as required. Sometimes a cold wet compress on the pit +of the stomach, covered with a dry towel is more efficacious, +heat developing by reaction. Fluid magnesia is often helpful.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +Ridge.</span></p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_234" id="Page_234">[Pg 234]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_IX" id="CHAPTER_IX"></a>CHAPTER IX.</h2> + +<h3>ALCOHOL AND NURSING MOTHERS.</h3> + + +<p>It frequently happens that the nursing mother +is unable by reason of defective digestive apparatus, +or imperfect assimilative powers, to supply sufficient +nourishment for her babe. In such case she +is often advised to drink ale or beer. It is true +that these liquors will excite the secretions of the +mammary gland, but it is increase in quantity, not +in quality, for the milk is impoverished by the added +water and alcohol, taken in the beer. Milkmen +sometimes salt cows heavily so that they will drink +largely of water, and thus give more milk, but one +quart of good, rich milk is worth three quarts of the +poor, thin stuff resulting from such method. It is +proper feeding, and care, that ensure good milk.</p> + +<p>When women complain that they are unable to +nurse their babies the cause is often an error in +diet. Too great reliance is put upon meat as +strength-giving. While meat, used in moderation, +may be valuable to many persons, the nursing +mother should not depend upon it to any great extent. +She will find farinaceous foods, with plenty +of warm milk, what she most requires. At bed<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_235" id="Page_235">[Pg 235]</a></span>time +she should have a bowl of well-cooked oatmeal +gruel, diluted with rich milk, and sweetened, +if she prefer it so. The milk should be added to +the gruel while it is boiling, as it digests more readily +if scalded. People who cannot, or think they +cannot, take milk of itself, often find it easy to digest +it, after it is scalded in the gruel. Anything +that a mother can do in the way of nourishing her +babe will be done upon such a diet, that is, farinaceous +foods and milk. Sweet fruits are of course +valuable also, as tending to keep the system in +good order.</p> + +<p>It is well to bear in mind that it is not the quantity +of food eaten, but that which is digested, and +assimilated, that goes to build up the tissues of the +body. So the habit of eating between meals is +pernicious, as it disturbs the digestive processes, +and robs the stomach of much-needed rest. This +habit is the cause, in many cases, of the falling off +in the milk after the first month or two.</p> + +<p>As nourishment for both mother and babe can +come from food only, good appetite, and good digestion +are essential to health and strength. The +very best help towards gaining a good appetite is +exercise in the open air. All mothers recognize +the need of keeping their little ones out of doors a +while every day, but all do not see the necessity of +the same mode of life for themselves. Dr. Nathan +S. Davis has said: “I have persuaded thousands of +mothers to try fresh air, instead of wine or beer, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_236" id="Page_236">[Pg 236]</a></span>with gratifying results.” The mother who takes +her babe out, herself, for its daily airing, is laying +up stores of health and vitality, to aid her in providing +for the needs of the little one, dependent upon +her.</p> + +<p>Good digestion is as essential as good appetite. +Alcohol, whether in beer, wine, whisky, or any +other form, is injurious to the stomach, and a hinderer +of digestion, hence must do harm, rather than +good, to the mother in search of added nourishment +for her babe.</p> + +<p>Dr. Condi says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The only drink of the nurse should be water or milk. All +fermented and distilled liquors, as well as strong tea and coffee, +she should strictly abstain from. Never was there a more absurd +or pernicious notion than that wine, ale or porter is necessary +to a nursing mother in order to keep up her strength, or +to increase the quantity, and improve the properties of her milk. +So far from producing these effects, such drinks, when taken in +any quantity, invariably disturb more or less the health of the +stomach, and tend to impair the quality, and diminish the quantity, +of nourishment furnished by her to her infant.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. William Hargreaves says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Every farmer knows that all a healthy cow requires to give +good milk and butter is, to give her good feed, and pure water; +and he also knows that the way to make a cow give poor +watery milk, which they might churn until doomsday without +obtaining butter, is to feed her on distillery slops, or grains +from the brewery. It is also well known that cheese cannot be +made from such milk, it being deficient in curd, or casein.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol is not only useless but injurious; for children +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_237" id="Page_237">[Pg 237]</a></span>whose mothers try to keep themselves upon beer, etc., very +frequently suffer from vomiting and diarrhœa, and often from +convulsions. Sometimes a single glass of whisky, taken by the +mother, will produce sickness and indigestion in the child, for +twenty-four hours after.</p> + +<p>“In the milk of a healthy woman the water ranges from 879 +to 905 parts in 1,000. The oily substance ranges from 25 to +42; casein from 15 to 39; sugar of milk from 31 to 45, and the +salts from 1 to 4 parts in 1,000.</p> + +<p>“Alcoholic drinks materially alter these proportions, for, on +the analysis of the milk of the same woman, a few hours before +and after the use of a pint of beer, it was found that the alcohol +increases the proportion of the water, and diminishes that of +casein; and that alcohol is very perceptible in it.”</p> + +<p>“The only rational way to be adopted by mothers to increase +the supply of nutrition for their infants, is to secure plenty of +suitable nutritious food, prepared in the way that will most fit +it for digestion, while they at the same time, avoid as far as +possible all fatigue, and mental excitement. It is impossible +that alcoholic beverages can add anything to the nutrition of +either the infant or mother.”—Dr. Bussey, in <i>Stimulants for +Nursing Mothers</i>.</p></div> + +<p>Dr. E. G. Figg, in <i>The Physiological Operation of +Alcohol</i>, gives the analyses of the milk of a temperate +woman in good health, and of a drinking woman +as follows:—<br /></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" summary="Analyses of the milk of temperate and drinking mothers." style="width: 50%;"> +<tr> + <td colspan="4">Milk of temperate mother.</td> + <td colspan="4">Milk of drinking mother.</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Salts,</td> + <td> " "</td> + <td class="tdrp">8.50</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Salts,</td> + <td> " "</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.50</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td>Casein,</td> + <td> " "</td> + <td class="tdrp">3.00</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Casein,</td> + <td> " "</td> + <td class="tdrp">2.00</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td>Oil,</td> + <td> " "</td> + <td class="tdrp">7.50</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Oil,</td> + <td> " "</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.50</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td>Water,</td> + <td> " "</td> + <td class="tdrp">81.00</td> + <td> </td> + <td>Water,</td> + <td> " "</td> + <td class="tdrp">84.00</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td colspan="2"> </td> + <td class="tdrp"><br />——</td> + <td> </td> +<td class="tdlt">Alcohol,</td> + <td> " "</td> + <td class="tdrp">2.0<br />——</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td colspan="2"> </td> + <td class="tdrpt">100.00</td> + <td colspan="3"> </td> +<td class="tdrpt">100.00</td> +</tr> +</table></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_238" id="Page_238">[Pg 238]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Edward Smith says in his <i>Practical Dietary</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Alcoholics are largely used by many women in the belief +that they support the system, and maintain the supply of milk +for the infant; but I am convinced that this is a serious error, +and is not an infrequent cause of fits and emaciation in the +child.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. James Edmunds, of the Lying-In Hospital, +London, Eng., says in <i>Diet for Nursing Mothers</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The nursing mother is peculiarly placed, in that she has to +provide a supply of nutriment for the child which is dependent +upon her, as well as for the ordinary requirements of her own +system. The nutrition of the child is to be provided for upon +the same principles, and by the same food-elements, as is the +nutrition of the mother, the only difference being that the +young child is possessed of less perfect masticatory and digestive +powers, and therefore requires food to be presented to it +in a state more simple, uniform, and readily assimilable than +the adult, who is furnished with strong teeth, and possessed of +a fully-grown stomach. The mastication, digestion, and primary +assimilation of the nursing infant’s food is thrown upon the +mother’s organs; but the tissues of the child are nourished precisely +as are the tissues of the mother, and a nursing mother +requires simply to digest a larger supply of wholesome, and +appropriate food. As a matter of course mothers with imperfect +teeth, or weak stomachs, cannot perform the digestion of +extra food for the infant so well as those mothers who have +an abundance of reserve power in their digestive apparatus; +and with such patients, the question arises, how are they to +make up for the deficiency which they soon experience in <a name="Page_238t" id="Page_238t"></a><a href="#Page_238tn">the</a> +supply of milk? Such mothers appeal to their medical +advisers to prescribe some stimulant which will enable them to +overcome the difficulty which they experience, and often are +greatly dissatisfied if informed that there is no drug in the +<i>materia medica</i> which will make up for structural weakness in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_239" id="Page_239">[Pg 239]</a></span>the organs which masticate, digest or assimilate the food. +The proper course for such women to adopt is a simple and +rational one. They should assist their digestive apparatus as +much as possible by securing an abundance of suitable and +nutritious food, prepared in the best way, and as is most digestible, +while they should lessen the demands of their own system +by the avoidance of bodily fatigue, and mental excitement. +These means, aided by that philosophical hygiene which is at +all times essential to the preservation of pure and perfect +health, will enable them to supply a maximum quantity of pure +and wholesome milk; and further calls by the child require +proper artificial food. Unfortunately such advice fails to +satisfy many anxious mothers who refuse to admit, or believe, +that they are less robust, or less capable, than other ladies of +their acquaintance, and such mothers fall easy victims to circulars +vaunting the nourishing properties of ‘Hoare’s Stout,’ +‘Tanqueray’s Gin,’ or Gilbey’s ‘strengthening Port,’ circulars +which are always backed up by the example, and advice, of +lady friends, who themselves have acquired the habit of using +these liquors, and who view as a reproach to themselves the +practice of any other lady who may not keep them in countenance, +as the perfection of all moral and physical propriety. +Unfortunately the pressure of such lady friends is often so +persistent as to paralyse the influence of a conscientious and +thoughtful medical adviser, while the appetites and beliefs of +such friends often throw them into active antagonism to any +medical adviser, who may not endorse the habits in which, as +they believe, and no doubt conscientiously, duty to their child +requires them to indulge. The only course that a medical +practitioner, whose family is dependent upon his practice, can +safely take with veteran mothers on this question, is to let them +have their own way without reiterated admonition. When +once they have acquired the habit of depending upon large +quantities of beer for nursing their children, they become perfectly +infatuated, and are practically incapable of passing +through the probationary fortnight which takes place before +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_240" id="Page_240">[Pg 240]</a></span>the digestive apparatus can work under its natural, but to them +strange, conditions, while the temporary longing for beer, and +the sudden lessening of the quantity of milk afforded by their +strained and impoverished systems, are at once set down as clear +proofs that their medical adviser is a crochetty, and dangerous +person, who must be superseded at the first convenient opportunity. +Facts and arguments have no more influence on such +mothers than they have upon opium-eaters, drunkards, or +inveterate consumers of tobacco; while the extreme propriety +of conduct which these ladies manifest, and the encouragement +they receive from other medical men, make the convictions +based upon their own personal sensations incontrovertible, and +their position practically unassailable. I think I might fairly say +that among the comfortable middle classes of society the views +at present held on this question are so deplorable that a large +proportion of children are never sober from the first moment of +their existence until they have been weaned; while often after a +few years the use of alcohol is again introduced to the children +as a ‘medical comfort,’ as a part of their regular diet, or as an +invariable accompaniment of all their juvenile visitation, and +company-keeping. Under such circumstances, it is not surprising +that temperance reformers appeal in vain on this question, +and that their facts and arguments are viewed with +plausible indifference, or insidious opposition, by persons whose +appetites and instincts have been undergoing debasement, and +perversion from the very dawn of their lives. My own deliberate +conviction is that nothing but harm comes to nursing +mothers, and to the infants who are dependent upon them, by +the ordinary use of alcoholic beverages of any kind.</p> + +<p>“Infants nursed by mothers who drink much beer also become +fatter than usual, and to an untrained eye sometimes appear +as ‘magnificent children.’ But the fatness of such children +is not a recommendation to the more knowing observer; they +are extremely prone to die of inflammation of the chest (bronchitis) +after a few days’ illness from an ordinary cold. They +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_241" id="Page_241">[Pg 241]</a></span>die, very much more frequently than other children, of convulsions +and diarrhœa, while cutting their teeth, and they are very +liable to die of scrofulous inflammation of the membranes of the +brain, commonly called ‘water on the brain,’ while their childhood +often presents a painful contrast—in the way of crooked +legs, and stunted or ill-shapen figure—to the ‘magnificent,’ and +promising appearance of their infancy.</p> + +<p>“Those ladies who adopt the general views I have thus +expressed in relation to the nursing of their children, will +want to know what is the ‘proper artificial food’ with which +to supplement their milk when it is deficient in quantity. With +some patients the milk will fall off in quantity at the end of two +or three months. With others, although the quantity may not +fall off, the child seems unsatisfied; and there is a third class +with whom a profusion of milk is supplied, and the child thrives +exceedingly, but the mother gets flabby, weak, nervous, pale and +exhausted. In the last case, the mother is simply goaded on +by susceptibility of her nervous system, or by inordinate activity +of the breasts to yield an amount of milk which her digestive +powers are not equal to providing for. The treatment of such +cases should be simply repressive. The mother should separate +herself somewhat more from the child, and make a rule of only +nursing it from five to eight times in the twenty-four hours, +while the neck of the mother should be kept cool in regard to +dress, and cold sponging may be practiced carefully night and +morning. Her attention should be diverted by outdoor exercise +on foot, and additionally in a carriage if necessary. When +the mother’s milk, though apparently not deficient in quantity, +proves unsatisfying to the child, great attention should be paid +to varying the diet of the mother, while such staple foods should +be taken as are most easily and thoroughly assimilated into milk. +The unsatisfying quality of the milk will generally be remedied +by taking a more varied diet, together with three or four half +pints of milk in the course of the day, accompanied with farinaceous +matter, as in the shape of well-made milk gruel; and in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_242" id="Page_242">[Pg 242]</a></span>case these measures fail, the only alternative is to supplement +the mother’s milk by obtaining a wet-nurse to suckle the child +three or four times a day alternately with the mother, or by +feeding the child with proper artificial food. The same measures +may be resorted to where the milk, though satisfying in +character, is deficient in quantity; and in preparing artificial +food for the child it must always be remembered that the food +requires to be adapted to the stage of development which is +manifested by a young infant’s digestive organs. The infant’s +digestive apparatus is, in fact, designed to digest milk, and to +digest nothing else, but when the teeth are cut farinaceous matter +of a more or less solid character should be gradually mixed +with the milk. Almost all the illnesses of infants under twelve +months of age are caused by some gross impropriety of diet, or +otherwise, on the part of the mother, for which the child suffers +through the medium of the milk, or they are caused by feeding +the child with improper artificial food. Thick sop, and many +other articles often given as food are as indigestible to an infant +of three months old as beefsteaks would be to a horse; and, until +the child has cut its teeth, it should have nothing but food +resembling the mother’s milk as closely as possible.</p> + +<p>“The proper way to feed an infant of three months old, +whose mother is only able to partially support it, is as follows: +When the child wakes in the morning it should not go to the +mother, but should be taken away by the nurse, and immediately +fed from the bottle, sucking its milk through a suitable +teat. After the mother has breakfasted the child may go to the +breast, and during the day it should be alternately fed from the +bottle, and nursed by the mother. At six o’clock the baby +should invariably be placed in its crib, by the side of the mother’s +bed, and fed just before going to sleep, and the habit of +going to bed at six o’clock should be strictly and invariably enforced. +If once the child be allowed to come down to the family +circle after dark, the habit of going to sleep will be broken, +and the child will continuously cry to come down. In the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_243" id="Page_243">[Pg 243]</a></span>course of the evening the mother may nurse the child once, and +at ten or eleven o’clock, when the mother goes to bed, the child +should be again fed from the bottle, and the mother should have +a basin of well-made milk-gruel; and by her bedside should be +placed, at the last moment, as much gruel as she is likely to +drink with relish during the night. Whenever the child is +restless it should be taken out of its crib, gently, by the mother, +and nursed, say two or three times during the night, and put +back again into its crib, the child never being allowed to sleep +with the mother. When the night is fairly over, and the child +awakens, it should be fetched by the nurse, and have its first +morning meal from the bottle. This plan of feeding should be +persisted in continuously until the child has cut its teeth; and it +is only when every means have been taken to ensure the sweetness, +freshness and niceness, not only of the milk and water, +but of the bottle and of the teat, and the child still fails to get +on, that, in rare cases, I advise the admixture of a little farinaceous +matter, in the way of food containing one part milk, and +two parts of properly sweetened barley-water. As the milk +teeth come through, other farinaceous matter may be gradually +blended with the milk, and there is nothing better than to begin +at about eight months with a teaspoonful of baked flour, +well boiled in a pint of milk and water, or in the water, to be +afterwards cooled with milk. Oftentimes a little salt, as well as +sugar, will materially help its digestion. The child will do well +on that food—the quantity being duly increased—until it has +cut almost all its milk teeth, when it may eat bread and butter, +rice, and egg puddings, and occasionally eat a boiled egg once +a day. I believe that it is a great mistake to give red flesh meat +to children in their early years, unless there be some very special +reason for it, and then it should only be temporarily used; but +nice potatoes, flavored with fresh gravy from a joint, may be +given at dinner, as the child becomes able to feed itself. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“Bear in mind that when you take wine, beer or brandy, you +are distilling that wine, beer or brandy into your child’s body. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_244" id="Page_244">[Pg 244]</a></span>Probably nothing could be worse than to have the very fabric of +the child’s tissues laid down from alcoholized blood.”</p></div> + +<p>Another English physician deplores “the pernicious +habit of drinking large quantities of ale or stout +by nursing mothers, under the idea that they thereby +increase and improve the secretion of milk, whereas +they are in reality deteriorating the quality of that +upon which the infant must depend for health and +life.”</p> + +<p>Dr. Edis says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Infant mortality is mainly due to two causes, the substitution +of farinaceous food for milk, and the delusion that ale or +beer is necessary as an article of diet for nursing mothers. * * * * * +Countless disorders among infants are due simply and solely +to the popular fallacy, that the nursing mother cannot properly +fulfil her duties, unless she resorts to the aid of alcoholics.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. N. S. Davis says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The opinion prevails quite extensively among certain classes +of people, and with some physicians, that a liberal use of beer +is beneficial to women while nursing their children. They +drink it under the impression that it will both strengthen them +and make their milk more abundant. But I have never seen a +case in which it had been used regularly for any considerable +period of time, where it did not result in more or less indigestion +from gastric irritation and disordered secretions, and an +early failure in the secretion of milk. It probably never increases +the flow of milk any more than would the drinking of +the same quantity of pure water; while the alcohol it contains, +by daily repetition, induces congestion of the gastric mucous +membrane, with disordered gastric and hepatic secretions.</p> + +<p>“A case strikingly illustrating these results was examined by +me to-day. The patient was a young married woman who was +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_245" id="Page_245">[Pg 245]</a></span>nursing her first child, now nine months old. At the time of +her confinement she was in fair health, rather nervous temperament, +weight 120 pounds. During the first few days her milk +did not flow very freely, and she says her physician advised her +to drink beer. Consequently she commenced to drink a glass +of beer at each mealtime, and a bottle during the night. During +the first six months she had sufficient milk for her baby; +but before the end of that time she had begun to suffer from +flatulency, constipation, gaseous and acid eructations, what she +calls ‘heart-burn,’ and sometimes vomiting. During the last +three months she has suffered, in addition to the preceding +symptoms, one or two attacks each week of extreme pain, from +the lower point of the sternum to the back between the scapula, +accompanied by retching, or severe efforts to vomit. To relieve +these attacks she has taken liberal doses of gin, in addition to +her regular supply of beer. Now at the end of nine months, +her milk has nearly ceased to flow, her bowels are costive, her +stomach tolerates only small quantities of the simplest nourishment, +her flesh and strength are very much reduced, her weight +being only 96 pounds; and yet she thinks both the beer and gin +make her feel better every time she takes them. Such is the +delusive power of the anæsthetic effect of alcohol. A persistence +in the same management would probably terminate fatally +in from six to twelve months more, from chronic gastritis, and +inanition. But if she will rigidly abstain from all alcoholic remedies, +and take only the most bland, unirritating nourishment, +aided by mildly soothing and antiseptic remedies, and fresh air, +she will slowly recover.”</p></div> + +<p>In a clinical lecture delivered before the Senior +Class in the Northwestern University Medical +School, Dr. Davis told of a case similar to the preceding:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The flow of milk in her breasts has also diminished to such +a degree that she does not have half enough for her baby. Yet +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_246" id="Page_246">[Pg 246]</a></span>she says the <i>beer</i> makes her feel better after each drink, and +that the <i>gin</i> helps to relieve the severe attacks of pain, and +consequently she thinks she could not do without them. It is +undoubtedly true that the patient feels temporary relief from +the anæsthetic effect of the alcohol in her beer and gin, just as +she would from any anæsthetic or narcotic. And it is equally +true that so long as the alcohol is present in her blood it so +modifies the hemoglobin and albuminous constituents, as to +diminish the reception and internal distribution of oxygen, and +thereby retards metabolic changes. But the combined influence +of the alcohol in retarding the internal distribution of oxygen and +the drain upon the nutritive elements of her blood, in furnishing +milk for her baby, led to rapid impoverishment of the blood and +tissues, and the early establishment of a sufficient grade of gastritis +to cause indigestion, frequent vomiting, and, later, paroxysms +of severe gastralgia, with general emaciation, and loss of +strength.</p> + +<p>“In accordance with the present popular ideas, both in and +out of the profession, this patient tells me she has tried a great +variety of foods, peptonized, sterilized, and predigested, but all +to no purpose. And why?—Simply because her troubles are +not in the kind of food she takes, but in the morbid condition of +her blood, and of the mucous membrane and nerves of her +stomach. Consequently the rational indications for treatment +are: (<i>a</i>) to get her stomach and blood free from the alcohol of +beer and gin; (<i>b</i>) to encourage the reception and internal distribution +of oxygen by plenty of fresh air; (<i>c</i>) to give her the +most bland, or unirritating food in small, and frequently repeated +doses, of which good milk with lime-water, and milk and wheat-flour +gruel are the best; (<i>d</i>) such medicines as possess sufficient +antiseptic, and anodyne properties to allay the irritability +of the gastric mucous membrane, and lessen fermentation.”</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_247" id="Page_247">[Pg 247]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_X" id="CHAPTER_X"></a>CHAPTER X.</h2> + +<h3>COMPARATIVE DEATH-RATES WITH AND WITHOUT +THE USE OF ALCOHOL AS A REMEDY.</h3> + + +<p>A study of statistics relating to the difference +in results of the treatment of disease with and +without the use of alcohol, cannot but be of great +interest to all students of the alcohol question. +The appended statistics are culled mainly from the +<i>Medical Pioneer</i> of England, now, <i>Medical Temperance +Review</i>, the journal of the British Medical Temperance +Association, and from the <i>Bulletin of the +American Medical Temperance Association</i>.</p> + +<p>A paragraph in the <i>British Medical Journal</i>, for +Dec. 2, 1893, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“An interesting fact has been noted by Dr. Claye Shaw, at +the London County Asylum, Banstead, for the Insane. Since +the withdrawal of <i>beer</i> from the dietary, the rate of recovery +has gone up. During the past year, for example, the recoveries +reached 46.97 per cent. Nearly one half of the patients had +thus recovered during the period stated. The inmates take +their food better without the liquor, and they are thus taught +that intoxicants are not a necessity of ordinary health.”</p></div> + +<p>In the <i>Medical Pioneer</i> for January, 1894, Dr. John +Mois, medical superintendent of West Haven Infec<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_248" id="Page_248">[Pg 248]</a></span>tious +Diseases Hospital, states that prior to 1885 he +had treated 2,148 cases of smallpox “in the usual +routine method, with the use of alcohol when the +heart’s action seemed to indicate it;” resulting in a +mortality of 17 per cent. But since 1885 he has +treated 700 additional cases under similar circumstances +except that the use of alcoholic preparations +was entirely omitted, and the resulting mortality +was only 11 per cent.</p> + +<p>In the same journal, Dr. J. J. Ridge states that +he had treated the 200 cases of scarlet fever admitted +into the Enfield Isolation Hospital during +the years 1892 and 1893, without alcohol in any +form, with a mortality of only 2.5 per cent.; while +the mortality in the hospitals under the Metropolitan +Asylums Board in 1893, in which alcohol was +used in accordance with the usual practice in scarlet +fever, was 6.3 per cent.</p> + +<p>Dr. J. J. Ridge says later:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In January, 1894, I published the result of the treatment of +the first 200 cases of scarlatina admitted into the temporary +wards of the Enfield Isolation Hospital during 1892 and 1893. +I stated that there had been five fatal cases, but that one was +dying when admitted and only lived a few hours. The +mortality was 2 per cent., or 2.5 if the later case is included.</p> + +<p>“Since then 300 more cases have been admitted and discharged +and among these there have been 7 fatal. Hence there +have been 14 deaths in 500 consecutive cases extending over a +period of a little more than four years. One of these ought +to be excluded, no time having been given for treatment. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_249" id="Page_249">[Pg 249]</a></span>Hence the mortality has been just 2.6 per cent. This, I think +it will be admitted, is a low mortality, although it is possible it +may be even lower when the cases are treated in a permanent +hospital about to be erected.</p> + +<p>“It may be interesting to state that 4 of the cases died on +the third day after admission; 1 on the fourth; 1 on the sixth; +1 on the tenth, with pneumonia; 1 on the thirteenth; 1 on the +fifteenth; 1 on the sixteenth; 1 on the eighteenth; 1 on the +thirty-sixth, with nephritis and pleuropneumonia; and 1 on the +forty-sixth, with otitis and meningitis.</p> + +<p>“All the cases have been treated without alcohol either as +food or drug, although many have been of great severity with +various complications. It is certain that the absence of alcohol +has not been detrimental, since the mortality is less than three-fourths +of that of the mortality among all notified cases in England +and Wales. I am bound to say that it is my firm conviction +that had alcohol been given in the usual fashion, the +death-rate would have been higher. Cases have been admitted +to which alcohol has been given previous to admission, apparently +with harm, as they have improved without it. One case +was particularly noticeable in this respect. A child, aged 6, +had had a good deal of whisky, and was supposed to be dying +when admitted on the fourth day of the disease, so that the +doctor who had seen it was surprised, when he called the following +day to inquire, to find it was still alive. Without a +drop of alcohol it began to improve and made a good recovery. +I may say that delirium is very rare, even in the worst cases +treated non-alcoholically.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Norman Kerr says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In my paper on ‘The Medical Administration of Alcohol,’ +read to the section of medicine at the Sheffield meeting in 1876, +I cited several medical testimonies in favor of non-alcoholic +treatment of fevers, notably that of my friend, the late Dr. +Simon Nicolls, who had a mortality of less than 5 per cent. in +230 cases.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_250" id="Page_250">[Pg 250]</a></span></p> +<p>“The record of the results of a greatly lessened administration +of alcohol in the treatment of smallpox in the London hospital +ships, is of deep interest. Having been requested to inquire +into the effects of this diminished alcoholic stimulation on mortality +and convalescence, Dr. Birdwood stated that though the +gravity of the cases had increased, with a mortality of 15 per +100 in the metropolis, the ship’s death-rate had remained at +less than 7 per 100. Convalescence had been more rapid, and +there had been fewer and less serious complications from abscesses +and inflammatory boils. Other causes had contributed +to this improvement, but the medical officers attributed a considerable +share in the amelioration to a greatly diminished prescription +of alcohol.”</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Medical Pioneer</i> says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In 1872 there appeared in the <i>Saturday Review</i> an article +in which the medical practitioners of this country were accused +of inciting their patients to free drinking, and in the discussion +which this article called forth, Dr. Gairdner, of Glasgow, said +that fever patients in that city, when treated with milk and +without alcohol, did much better than those reported as having +been treated by Dr. Todd with large doses of alcohol; the +latter resulting in a mortality of about 25 per cent., while those +treated by Dr. Gairdner with milk had had a death-rate of +only 12 per cent. About this time the British Medical Temperance +Association was founded, owing to the exertions of +Dr. Ridge, of Enfield, and in 1876 it was enrolled, under the +presidency of Sir B. W. Richardson. It now contains 269 +members in England and Wales, 53 in Scotland and 80 in Ireland, +or more than 400 altogether, all professional men and +women. This, I think, is but a sign of the change of opinion +on the use of alcoholic fluids in medical practice, for all who remember +what medical practice was in London thirty years ago +know that the use of wine and brandy in hospital practice was +so common that it was quite a rarity in some hospitals to find a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_251" id="Page_251">[Pg 251]</a></span>patient who was not ordered, by some of the staff, from three +to four ounces of brandy or six to eight fluid ounces of wine. +The expense caused to the hospitals by this practice was, of +course, great, and increased notably between 1852 and 1872, +owing to the prevalence of the views of Liebig and his follower, +Dr. Todd. The writings of Parkes, Gairdner, Dr. Norman +Kerr and of Sir B. Ward Richardson, Dr. Morton and others, +gradually lessened this predilection for treating diseases by alcohol, +and accordingly between 1872 and 1882 a great change +came over the practice of London hospitals. Thus the sum +paid for milk in 1852 in Saint Bartholomew’s Hospital was +£684, and in 1882 it was £2,012; whilst alcohol in that hospital +cost in 1852, £406; in 1862, £1,446; in 1872, £1,446; and in +1882 only £653. Westminster Hospital in 1882 spent £137 on +alcohol and £500 on milk. One hospital, St. George’s, long +continued to use large quantities of alcohol. That hospital in +1872 had the high mortality among its typhoid fever patients of +24 per cent., which was twice as high as that noted by Dr. +Gairdner as occurring in Glasgow, when alcohol was abandoned +and milk used instead. Dr. Meyer, who reported these +cases of typhoid treated in Saint George’s Hospital at that time, +mentioned that alcohol in large doses was given to 87 per cent. +of the patients. Three-fifths of these patients took daily eight +ounces of brandy when there was danger of sinking from failure +of the heart’s action. One-fourth of the number took sixteen +fluid ounces of brandy in the 24 hours.”</p> + +<p>“In 230 typhoid cases in St. Mary’s Hospital, Dr. Chambers +reduced the ratio of deaths from 1 in 5 with alcohol to 1 in 40 +without it. Dr. Perry, of Glasgow, found that of 534 cases +treated with alcohol, 138 died, while of 491 treated without alcohol, +only 9 died.”</p></div> + +<p>In a recent text-book on medicine occurs the +following:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“English physicians use spirits in fevers, and all experience +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_252" id="Page_252">[Pg 252]</a></span>sustains the conviction that no substitute has been found for +them.”</p></div> + +<p>In a late number of the <i>Temperance Record</i>, Dr. +Smith gives a different view of the experience of +English physicians:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“When Bentley Todd was at King’s College, and leading +his profession, brandy was the rule in febrile cases. Then the +mortality varied from twenty-five to thirty-five per cent. +That the treatment was as fatal as the disease, experience +demonstrates:—</p> + +<p>“1. Professor W. T. Gairdner, of Glasgow, writing to the +Lancet (1864), gave his experience as follows:—<br /></p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" summary="W. T. Gairdner's fever treatment results" style="width: 70%;"> + <tr> + <th class="tdc">Fever cases treated.</th> + <th class="tdc">Average of wine and spirits.</th> + <th class="tdc">Mortality.</th> + </tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdc">1,829</td> + <td class="tdc">34 oz. to each</td> + <td class="tdc">17.69 per cent.</td> + </tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdc">595</td> + <td class="tdc">2½ oz. to each</td> + <td class="tdc">11.93 per cent.</td> + </tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdc">212</td> + <td class="tdc">none</td> + <td class="tdc">1 death only.</td> +</tr> +<tr><td class="tdc">(young lives)</td><td colspan="2"></td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p>“These were mostly typhus cases, but the rationale, so far as +alcohol is concerned, is the same as in typhoid.</p> + +<p>“2. At the British Medical Association in 1879, Professor H. +MacNaughton Jones gave particulars of 340 cases of typhus, +typhoid and simple fever. I append a summary:—</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" summary="Professor H. +MacNaughton Jones treatment of 340 cases of typhus: summary" style="width: 50%;"> + <tr> + <th> </th> + <th class="tdrp2">Cases.</th><th class="tdrp2">Deaths.</th><th class="tdrp2">Mortality<br /> +per cent.</th> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Given brandy</td> + <td class="tdrp2">58</td> + <td class="tdrp2">19</td> + <td class="tdrp2">32.7</td> +</tr> + +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Given claret</td> + <td class="tdrp2">51</td> + <td class="tdrp2">2</td> + <td class="tdrp2">3.8</td> +</tr> +<tr> + <td class="tdl">Given no alcohol</td> + <td class="tdrp2">231</td> + <td class="tdrp2">4</td> + <td class="tdrp2">1.7</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<p>“3. Dr. J. C. Pearson writes to the <i>Lancet</i> (Dec. 5 and 26, +1891), giving his experience of typhoid. He had treated several +hundreds of cases without a single death, and never prescribed +stimulants in any shape or form in the disease.</p> + +<p>“4. Dr. Knox Bond writes to the <i>Lancet</i> (Nov. 25, 1893), +giving his experience of typhoid at the Liverpool Fever Hospital. +He says: ‘As a resident for some years in the fever hospitals, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_253" id="Page_253">[Pg 253]</a></span>my views of the value of alcohol in fever underwent, solely as a +result of the experience there gained, entire modification. The +conviction became forced upon my mind that in no case in +which it was used did benefit to the patient ensue; that in a +proportion of cases its use was distinctly hurtful; and that in a +small but appreciable number of cases the resultant harm was +sufficient to tilt the balance as against the recovery of the +patient.’</p> + +<p>“In plain terms, alcohol tended to the destruction of the +patients. Dr. Bond’s figures are:—</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" summary="Dr. Knox Bond's treatment of typhoid cases: summary" style="width: 60%;"> + <tr> + <th> </th> + <th class="tdc">No. of cases.</th> + <th class="tdc">No. of deaths.</th> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdl">Given alcohol</td> + <td class="tdrp2">71</td> + <td class="tdrp2">18</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td class="tdlt">Given no alcohol</td> + <td class="tdrp2">309<br />——</td> + <td class="tdrp2">15<br />——</td> +</tr> +<tr> +<td> </td><td class="tdrp2">380</td><td class="tdrp2">33</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +</div> + +<p>In May, 1890, Dr. Nathan S. Davis, read a paper +before the American Medical Association upon the +use of certain drugs in disease. Among the drugs +mentioned was alcohol, and comparative death-rates +were given in typhoid fever and pneumonia, between +Mercy Hospital, Chicago, during a term of +years when no alcohol was used in the medical +wards, Dr. Davis being in charge of them, and +some of the large metropolitan hospitals using alcohol. +In Mercy Hospital without alcohol, the death-rate +in typhoid fever was only five per cent.; in +pneumonia only twelve per cent.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Of 161 cases of typhoid fever treated in Cook County Hospital +during 1889, 27 died, or one in six—nearly 17 per cent.</p> + +<p>“According to the annual report of the Cincinnati Hospital +for 1886, 47 cases of typhoid fever were treated during that +year, with seven deaths, a mortality rate of 16 per cent.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_254" id="Page_254">[Pg 254]</a></span></p> +<p>“The Garfield Memorial Hospital, at Washington, reported for +the year 1889, 22 cases of typhoid fever, with 5 deaths—or 22 +per cent.</p> + +<p>“In the Pennsylvania Hospital the mortality rate in pneumonia +for the years 1884-1886, was 34 per cent.</p> + +<p>“The mortality of pneumonia in the Massachusetts General +Hospital, between the years 1822 and 1889, comprising 1,000 +cases, was 25 per cent.; but a gradual increase in mortality had +been noted from 10 per cent. in the first decade of the seventy +years represented by this report, to 28 per cent. in the last +decade.</p> + +<p>“According to the report of the Supervising Surgeon General +of the U.S. Marine Hospital Service for 1888, the number of +cases of pneumonia treated between 1880 and 1887 was 1,649, +with 311 deaths—nearly 19 per cent.</p> + +<p>“The Cincinnati Hospital reported for 1886 a mortality rate +in pneumonia of 38 per cent.</p> + +<p>“The mortality rate in the Cook County Hospital, Chicago, +for 1889, according to Dr. Heltoin, relating to 80 cases of pneumonia, +was 36 per cent.”</p></div> + +<p>Only a five per cent. death-rate in typhoid fever +without alcohol, and from sixteen to twenty-two +per cent. with alcohol; only a twelve per cent. death-rate +in pneumonia without alcohol, and from 19 to +as high as 38 per cent. with alcohol. Such are the +comparative death-rates given by Dr. Davis. They +should be committed to memory by every opposer +of the use of alcohol, as they show clearly that +people have many more chances for recovery, other +things being equal, in the diseases mentioned, if +alcohol is not used than if it is.</p> + +<p>It is worthy of mention in this connection that +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_255" id="Page_255">[Pg 255]</a></span>Cook County Hospital contains in its report for +1897 the following items: Number of patients +19,536; cost of liquors $80.00; per cent. of deaths +from all causes, 5.7. The cost of liquors is only +.004 for each patient. This shows a decided advance +in the disuse of alcohol, when so very little is +used in a great hospital, with so large a number of +patients.</p> + +<p>Dr. A. L. Loomis, in the <a name="Page_255t" id="Page_255t"></a><a href="#Page_255tn">treatment</a> of 600 typhus +fever cases on Blackwell’s Island in 1864, excluded +alcoholics, with the result of reducing the mortality +rate to only six per cent. whereas it had previously +been twenty-two per cent., in Bellevue Hospital +from which the patients had been removed.</p> + +<p>In Battle Creek Sanitarium no alcohol is used in +any disease, simply because the management believe +better results are obtained by the use of other +agencies. In the October, (1893) number of the +<i>American Medical Temperance Quarterly</i> now <i>Bulletin +of the A. M. T. A.</i>, Dr. J. H. Kellogg gives +statistics of deaths from various diseases in the Battle +Creek Sanitarium. The total of these statistics +is as follows: la grippe, 827 cases, 4 deaths—or two +per cent.; scarlet fever, 83 cases, 2 deaths—less +than three per cent.; 333 cases of typhoid fever, 9 +deaths—or 2.7 per cent.; 82 cases of pneumonia, 4 +deaths—or 4.9 per cent. These exceptional results +are not attributed solely to the non-use of alcohol. +The nursing and surroundings were of the best. +But these results certainly show that the use of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_256" id="Page_256">[Pg 256]</a></span>alcohol as a remedy in acute diseases is not necessary, +and that patients have a much better chance +for life, other things being equal, where alcohol is +not used than where it is.</p> + +<p>Dr. Kellogg says of the surgical cases:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In a hospital of 100 beds, connected with the institution, +more than 3,000 surgical cases have been treated, to whom alcohol +has never been administered except in connection with +chloroform anæsthesia; my uniform custom being to administer +an ounce of brandy or whisky five minutes before beginning +the administration of the anæsthetic, when chloroform is used.</p> + +<p>“The surgical cases include more than 300 cases of ovariotomy, +and over 300 other cases involving the peritoneal cavity, such as +operations for strangulated hernia, the radical cure of hernia, +etc. The statistics of death and recoveries are certainly as +good as can be produced by any hospital in the world, dealing +with the same class of cases. The total mortality from the +operation of ovariotomy, including nearly 300 cases, is less than +three per cent., and for the last few years, in which the antiseptic +measures have been perfected, the record is still better, +showing a succession of 172 cases of laparotomy for the removal +of ovarian tumors, or diseased uterus and ovaries, without +a death. These cases include a number of <a name="Page_256t" id="Page_256t"></a><a href="#Page_256tn">hysterectomies</a>, +and many cases so desperate that those who trust in alcohol as +a heart stimulant, and as a means of supporting the vital energies, +would certainly have considered it necessary to resort to +the use of this drug. Nevertheless, it was not administered in +a single case, and I have seen no reason to regret its non-use +in a single instance.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. T. D. Crothers, of Hartford, Conn., tells the +following:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In a large hospital a study of the mortality of pneumonia +indicated a greater fatality at intervals of six months. There +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_257" id="Page_257">[Pg 257]</a></span>were five per cent. more deaths during periods of two months +at a time, twice during the year. This extended back for two +years, and was finally narrowed down to the service of an eminent +physician who gave spirits freely in all cases of pneumonia +from their entrance to the hospital. The other visiting physicians +gave very little spirits, and only in the later stages. The +physician was skeptical of these statistics, but finally consented +to test them by giving up spirits practically in all cases of pneumonia. +This was continued for a year, and the mortality went +back to the average statistics. That physician has abandoned +alcohol as a food and a medicine, only in very limited degree. +He writes, ‘My stupidity in accepting theories and statements +of others, concerning spirits, which I could have tested personally, +is a source of deep sorrow, and I do not know but it could +be called criminal. I certainly feel that punishment would be +just.<a name="Page_257t" id="Page_257t"></a><a href="#Page_257tn">’”</a></p></div> + +<p>Brandy has been considered the great necessity +in cholera, yet the use of it and other alcoholics are +known to expose people to greater danger when +this disease prevails.</p> + +<p>The <i>Bulletin of the A. M. T. A.</i> is authority +for the following:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“During the epidemic of 1832, Dr. Bronson said: ‘In Montreal +1,000 persons have died of cholera, only two of whom +were teetotalers.’ A Montreal paper said: ‘Not a drunkard +who has been attacked has recovered from the disease, and almost +all the victims have been at least moderate drinkers.’</p> + +<p>“In Albany, N. Y., the same year, cholera carried off 366 persons +above sixteen years of age, all but four of whom belonged +to the drinking classes. Packer, Prentice & Co., large furriers +in Albany, employed 400 persons, none of whom used ardent +spirits, and there were only two cases of cholera among them. +Mr. Delevan, a contractor, said: ‘I was engaged at the time in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_258" id="Page_258">[Pg 258]</a></span>erecting a large block of buildings. The laborers were much +alarmed, and were on the point of abandoning the work. They +were advised to stay and give up strong drink. They all remained, +and all quit the use of strong drink except one, and he +fell a victim to the disease.’ He says also: ‘I had a gang of +diggers in a clay bank, to whom the same proposition was +made; they all agreed to it, and not one died. On the opposite +side of the same clay bank were other diggers who continued +their regular rations of whisky, and one third of them died.’</p> + +<p>“In New York City there were 204 cases in the park, only six +of whom were temperate, and these recovered, while 122 of the +others died. In many parts of the city the saloon keepers saw +and acknowledged the terrible connection between their business +and the spread of the disease, and, becoming alarmed for +their own safety, shut up their saloons and fled, saying: ‘The +way from the saloon to hell is too short.’</p> + +<p>“In Washington the Board of Health was so impressed with +the terrible facts that they declared the grog shops nuisances, +ordered them closed, and they remained closed for three months.</p> + +<p>“A prominent physician of Glasgow reported: ‘Only nineteen +per cent. of the temperate perished, while ninety-one and +two-tenths per cent. of the intemperate died.’ One extensive +liquor dealer of Glasgow, said, ‘Cholera has carried off half of +my customers.’</p> + +<p>“In Warsaw ninety per cent. of those who died from cholera +were wine drinkers.</p> + +<p>“At Tifels, Prussia, a town of 20,000 inhabitants, every drunkard +died of cholera.”</p></div> + +<p>The <i>St. Paul Medical Journal</i>, of September, +1899, gives the following report of a railway surgeon, +Dr. Kane:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“From June 1, 1898, to June 1, 1899, the author performed a +few more than four hundred operations. Forty-nine abdomi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_259" id="Page_259">[Pg 259]</a></span>nal +sections, fifty odd more operations of a graver sort, one +hundred miscellaneous of less gravity than above, over one +hundred operations upon female perineum and uterus. Of the +four hundred, more than three hundred demanded anæsthesia. +There were but three deaths, making the mortality a little less +than one per cent.</p> + +<p>“The author does not claim a phenomenally low mortality, nor +does he claim specially brilliant results. He has to contend +with unreasoning fear on the part of the patients for hospital +surgeons, and also most of his cases had been in the hands +of quacks, and had subjected themselves to remedies prescribed +by old women. Many cases came after the family physician +had exhausted his resources. He thinks his results are considerably +better than the average in hospitals and in country +districts. Alcohol medication was dispensed with entirely +after the patients came under his care, and to this he attributes +much of his success. He does not believe that alcohol is a stimulant, +or a tonic. On the contrary, he believes that it retards +digestion, arrests secretion, and hinders excretion. The courage +and fortitude of his patients were lessened instead of increased +by the use of alcoholic medication.</p> + +<p>“Pain is better borne, endured longer and more patiently +when alcohol is not used.</p> + +<p>“He urges the practical surgeon to carefully weigh the subject +of alcohol, and verify for himself the expediency of its use.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. B. W. Richardson in the report of his practice +for 1895 in the London Temperance Hospital +refers to non-alcoholic treatment of rheumatism. +He said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Out of seventy-one cases of acute or subacute rheumatism—the +large majority acute, and attended with temperatures +moving up to 104° F.—sixty-nine recovered, and two, although +they were discharged without being put on the recovery list, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_260" id="Page_260">[Pg 260]</a></span>were so far relieved that a few days’ change in country air +seemed all that was required to induce full restoration. Comparing +the experience of the treatment of acute rheumatic disease +without alcohol with that which I have previously observed +with alcohol, I can have no hesitation in declaring that it +is of the greatest advantage to follow total abstinence absolutely +in this disease. The pain and swelling of joints is more +quickly relieved under abstinence, the fever falls more rapidly, +there is less frequent relapse, and there is quicker recovery. +In brief, the experience of <a name="Page_260t" id="Page_260t"></a><a href="#Page_260tn">treatment</a> of rheumatic fever minus +alcohol, presents to me as much novelty as it does pleasure, +and I am convinced that if any candid member of the profession +could have witnessed what I have witnessed in this matter, +he would agree with me that alcohol in rheumatic fever, however +acute, is altogether out of place. I am also under the +conviction, though I express it with great reserve, that in acute +rheumatism, treated without alcohol, the cardiac complications, +endocardial and pericardial, are much less frequently developed +than where alcohol is supplied.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Pechuman in <i>Alcohol—Is It a Medicine</i>, published +in 1891, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is no disputing that many deaths occur each day as +the result of the administration of alcohol in acute diseases, to +say nothing of the deaths caused by its habitual use; and those +who give it ignore the very fundamental principles of physiology +and the many published statistics. The Boston Hospital +report tells a sad story in this connection; it shows that +out of 1,042 cases treated with alcoholics 386 died, while out of +the same number treated without alcohol only 81 died. Using +plain English 305 were actually killed by it.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. T. D. Crothers, in the January, 1899, <i>Bulletin +of the American Medical Temperance Association</i>, +gave the following Hospital Statistics, showing a +decline in the use of spirits in hospitals:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_261" id="Page_261">[Pg 261]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Evidently a great change is going on in the use of alcohol +as a remedy in large hospitals. The annual reports of ten hospitals +in the New England and the Middle States show the +following widely varying figures. The spirits used include +beers, wines, whiskies and brandies, and vary from eleven to +sixty-one cents a person for all the cases treated. These hospitals +treat from eighty to seven hundred cases a year, both +surgical and medical, and the medical staff are the leading +physicians of the towns and cities where they are located. The +hospital where the largest amount of spirits was used is not +different from others, nor is the one where the lowest amount +is reported. The conclusion is that this difference is due +entirely to the judgment of the medical men. The lowest rate +(eleven cents each) was in a hospital where one hundred and +twenty-one cases had been under treatment. The highest +rate (sixty-one cents) was in a hospital of five hundred and +forty cases. The mortality from typhoid fever and pneumonia +was eight per cent. higher in this hospital than in the one +where only eleven cents a head had been expended for spirits. +The general mortality did not vary greatly in any of these hospitals, +and the records of one year could not be expected to +show this. In the remaining hospitals the mortality of the +fever and the septic cases was about the same. The free use +of spirits did not show any improvement, but rather an increase +of the death-rate, while the same amount of spirits used +showed but little change, and that in the line of improvement +of death-rate. These are only the figures of one year, but +they indicate a change of practice, and show the passing of +alcohol as a remedy.”</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_262" id="Page_262">[Pg 262]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XI" id="CHAPTER_XI"></a>CHAPTER XI.</h2> + +<h3>REASONS WHY ALCOHOL IS DANGEROUS AS +MEDICINE.</h3> + + +<p>In the chapter upon “The Effects of Alcohol +upon the Human Body” are cited some of the +reasons assigned by scientific investigators for their +disuse of alcohol as a remedy in disease. In this +chapter the same may be briefly hinted at, while +others, some the results of quite recent research, +will be added.</p> + +<p>In the <i>Bulletin of the A. M. T. A.</i>, for January +1898, Dr. N. S. Davis says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The supposed effects of alcohol as a medicine were +originally based solely on the sensations and actions of the +patients taking it. The first appreciable effect of the alcohol +after entering the blood is that of an anæsthetic; that is, it +diminishes the sensibility of the brain and nerve structures, in +the same direction as ether and chloroform. And, as the brain +is the material seat of man’s consciousness, the alcohol renders +him less conscious of cold or heat, of weariness or pain, and +less conscious of his own weight or of any external resistance. +Consequently, when under the influence of small doses, he +feels lighter and less conscious of any external impressions, +and thinks he could do more than without it. It was these +effects that led both the patient and his physician to regard +the alcohol as a general stimulant or tonic, notwithstanding +the fact that by simply increasing the doses of alcohol the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_263" id="Page_263">[Pg 263]</a></span>sensibility soon became entirely suspended, and the patient +helpless and altogether unconscious. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“Simple increased frequency of the heart action is no evidence +of either increased force or efficiency in promoting the +circulation of the blood. Indeed, it may be stated as a physiological +law, that the more frequent the heart action above the +normal standard, the less efficiently does it promote the circulation +and strength of the living system. But the effect of a +moderate dose of alcohol in increasing the frequency of the +heart-beat and of blood pressure is so temporary that the doses +must be repeated so often that the alcohol accumulates in the +blood and tissues, and extends its paralyzing effects to all +the vasomotor, cardiac and respiratory nerves. Indeed, all +the investigators agree that alcohol in any dose capable of producing +an appreciable effect, diminishes the function of the +lungs in direct proportion to the quantity taken; and as the +lungs are the only channel through which free oxygen reaches +the blood, and such oxygen is the natural exciter of all vital +activities in the living body, it is not possible to explain how +alcohol, or any other drug that diminishes the function of the +lungs can, at the same time, act as a cardiac, or any other kind +of tonic.</p> + +<p>“The truth is that all intelligent physicians and writers on +therapeutics of the present day agree in stating that alcohol in +large doses directly diminishes all the vital processes in the +living body, and in still larger doses suspends the life of the +individual by paralyzing the cerebral, vasomotor, respiratory +and cardiac functions, generally in the order named. If large +doses produce such effects, we must logically claim that small +doses act in the same direction, but in less degree. In other +words, alcohol is as truly and exclusively an anæsthetic as is +ether or chloroform, and, like them, is to be used as a medicine +only temporarily to relieve pain, or suspend nerve sensibility. +But as for these purposes it is less efficient than either +ether or chloroform, and other narcotics, there is no neces<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_264" id="Page_264">[Pg 264]</a></span>sity +for using it as a remedy in the treatment of disease. And +in health its use in any dose can be productive of nothing but +injury. The only legitimate fields for the uses of alcohol are in +chemistry, pharmacy and the arts.”</p></div> + +<p>In another issue of the same magazine, Dr. Davis +writes of the investigations pursued by M. Robin +of France in regard to the chemistry of respiration. +These investigations, he says, afford conclusive +proof that the acts of oxidation are defensive processes +of the organism in its struggle with bacteria, +and therefore that the physician should favor in +every possible way the absorption of oxygen in +every infection, especially when there are typhoid +complications.</p> + +<p>He then speaks of the researches of other scientists +in the same line, concluding thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“If we add to the foregoing investigations the results obtained +by Dr. A. C. Abbott, demonstrating that the presence of +alcohol directly diminished the vital resistance to infections, +we cannot fail to see that the administration of alcohol in +diphtheria, typhoid fever, pneumonia and other infectious +diseases, is directly contraindicated. If, as shown by M. Robin, +‘the acts of oxidation are defensive processes’ against bacterial +infections, then certainly the administration of alcohol to patients +with such infections is in the highest degree illogical and +injurious. The oxygen being obtained for oxidation purposes +in the blood and tissues, through the respiratory process, it +would be equally absurd to administer alcohol in all cases in +which it is desirable to increase the processes of oxidation, as a +long series of experiments has shown that the presence of +alcohol diminishes the efficiency of the respiratory process in +direct proportion to the quantity used.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_265" id="Page_265">[Pg 265]</a></span></p> +<p>“How much longer will practical writers continue to recommend +for the same patient on the same day, fresh air, sponge +baths, and vasomotor and respiratory tonics to increase the +absorption of oxygen and oxidation processes, and alcohol in +the form of wine, whisky and brandy to directly diminish the +respiratory function and all the oxidations of the living system?”</p></div> + +<p>In his address before the Medical Congress for +the Study of Alcohol, held at Prohibition Park, +Staten Island, July 15, 1891, Dr. Davis said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“If the foregoing views regarding the effects of alcoholic +liquids on the human system in health, are correct, what can +we say concerning their value as remedies for the treatment of +disease? If it be true that the alcohol they contain acts directly +upon the corpuscular elements of the blood, and so far +diminishes the metabolic processes of nutrition and disintegration +as to lessen nerve sensibility and heat production, and favor +tissue degenerations, their rational application in the treatment +of any form of disease must be very limited. And yet the +same errors and delusions concerning their use in the treatment +of diseases and accidents are entertained and daily acted upon +by a large majority of medical men as are entertained by +the non-professional part of the public. Throughout the +greater part of our medical literature they are represented as +stimulating and restorative, capable of increasing the force and +efficiency of the circulation, and of conserving the normal living +tissues by diminishing their waste; and hence they are the first +to be resorted to in all cases of sudden exhaustion, faintness or +shock; the last to be given to the dying; and the most constant +remedies through the most important and protracted acute +general diseases. Indeed, it is this position and practice of the +profession that constitutes, at the present time, the strongest +influence in support of all the popular though erroneous and destructive +drinking customs of the people.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_266" id="Page_266">[Pg 266]</a></span></p> +<p>“The same anæsthetic properties of the alcohol that render +the laboring man less <i>conscious</i> of the cold or heat or weariness, +also render the sick man less conscious of suffering, either +mental or physical, and thereby deceive both him and his +physician by the appearance, temporarily, of more comfort. +But if administered during the progress of fevers or acute +general disease, while it thus quiets the patient’s restlessness +and lessens his consciousness of suffering, it also directly diminishes +the vasomotor and excito-motor nerve forces with slight +reduction of temperature, and steadily diminishes both the +tissue metabolism and the excretory products, thereby favoring +the retention in the system of both the specific causes of disease +and the natural excretory materials which should have been +eliminated through the skin, lungs, kidneys and other glandular +organs. Although the immediate effect of the remedy is +thus to give the patient an appearance of more comfort, the +continued dulling or anæsthetic effect on the nervous centres, +the diminished oxygenation of the blood, and the continued +retention of morbitic and excretory products, all serve to protract +the disease, increase molecular degeneration, and add to +the number of fatal results.</p> + +<p>“I am well aware that the foregoing views, founded on the +results of numerous and varied experimental researches and +well-known physiological laws, and corroborated by a wide +clinical experience, are in direct conflict with the very generally +accepted doctrine that alcohol is a cardiac tonic, capable of increasing +the force and efficiency of the circulation, and therefore +of great value in the treatment of the lower grades of +general fevers. But there have been many generally accepted +doctrines in the history of medicine that have been proved +fallacious. And the more recent experiments of Professors +Martin, Sidney Ringer, and Sainsbury, Reichert, H. C. Wood +and others, have clearly demonstrated that the presence of +alcohol in the blood as certainly diminishes the sensibility of +the vasomotor and cardiac nerves in proportion to its quantity +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_267" id="Page_267">[Pg 267]</a></span>until the heart stops, paralyzed, as that two and two make +four.</p> + +<p>“After an ample clinical field of observation in both hospital +and private practice for more than fifty years, and a continuous +study of our medical literature, I am prepared to maintain the +position that the ratio of mortality from all the acute general +diseases has increased in direct proportion to the quantity of +alcoholic remedies administered during their treatment. How +can we reasonably expect any other result from the use of an +agent that so directly and uniformly diminishes the cerebral +respiratory, cardiac and metabolic functions of the living +human body?”</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Medical Pioneer</i> of January, 1896, contained +a very interesting article by Dr. J. H. Kellogg upon +“The Influence of Alcohol upon Urinary Toxicity, +and its Relation to the Medical Use of Alcohol.” +He gives the results of many of his own experiments +to determine the effects of alcohol in hindering +the elimination of poisonous matter by the +kidneys. The subject of one experiment was a +healthy man of 30 years, weighing 66 kilos. For +fifty days prior to the experiment he had taken a +carefully regulated diet, and the urotoxic coefficient +had remained very nearly uniform. The urine carefully +collected for the first eight hours after the +administration of 8 ounces of brandy diluted with +water, showed an enormous diminution in the urotoxic +coefficient, which was, in fact, scarcely more +than half the normal coefficient for the individual +in question. The urine collected for the second +period of eight hours showed an increase of toxicity, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_268" id="Page_268">[Pg 268]</a></span>and that for the third period of eight hours showed +still further increase of toxicity, the coefficient having +nearly returned to its normal standard.</p> + +<p>Of this Dr. Kellogg says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The bearing of this experiment upon the use of alcohol in +pneumonia, typhoid fever, erysipelas, cholera and other infectious +diseases, will be clearly seen. In all the maladies named, +and in nearly all other infectious diseases, which include the +greater number of acute maladies, the symptoms which give the +patient the greatest inconvenience, and those which have a fatal +termination, when such is the result, are directly attributable to +the influence of the toxic substances generated within the system +of the patient as the result of the specific microbes to which +the disease owes its origin. The activity of the liver in destroying +these poisons, and of the kidneys in eliminating them, are +the physiologic processes which stand between the patient and +death. In a very grave case of infectious disease, without this +destructive and eliminative activity the accumulation of poison +within the system would quickly reach a fatal point. The +symptoms of the patient vary for better or worse in relation to +the augmentation or diminution of the quantity of toxic substances +within the body.</p> + +<p>“In view of these facts, is it not a pertinent question to ask +how alcohol can be of service in the treatment of such disorders +as pneumonia, typhoid fever, cholera, erysipelas and other infections, +since it acts in such a decided and powerful manner +in diminishing urinary toxicity—in other words, in lessening the +ability of the kidney to eliminate toxic substances? In infectious +diseases of every sort, the body is struggling under the +influence of toxic agents, the result of the action of microbes. +Alcohol is another toxic agent of precisely the same +origin. Like other toxins resulting from like processes of bacterial +growth, its influence upon the human organism is unfriendly; +it disturbs the vital processes; it disturbs every vital +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_269" id="Page_269">[Pg 269]</a></span>function, and, as we have shown, in a most marked degree +diminishes the efficiency of the kidneys in the removal of the +toxins which constitute the most active factor in the diseases +named, and in others of analogous character. If a patient is +struggling under the influence of the pneumococcus, Eberth’s +bacillus, Koch’s cholera microbe or the pus-producing germs +which give rise to erysipelatous inflammation, his kidneys laboring +to undo, so far as possible, the mischief done by the invading +parasites, by eliminating the poisons formed by them, what +good could possibly be accomplished by the administration of a +drug, one of the characteristic effects of which is to diminish +renal activity, thereby diminishing also the quantity of poisons +eliminated through this channel? Is not such a course in the +highest degree calculated to add fuel to the flame? Is it not +placing obstacles in the way of the vital forces which are already +hampered in their work by the powerfully toxic agents to +the influence of which they are subjected?</p> + +<p>“In his address before the American Medical Association +at Milwaukee, Dr. Ernest Hart, editor of the <i>British +Medical Journal</i>, very aptly suggested in relation to the treatment +of cholera, the inutility of alcohol, basing his suggestion +upon the fact that in a case of cholera, the system of the patient +is combating the specific poison which is the product of +the microbe of this disease, and hence is not likely to be +aided by the introduction of a poison produced by another +microbe; namely, alcohol. This logic seems very sound, and +the facts in relation to the influence of alcohol upon urinary toxicity +or renal activity, which are elucidated by our experiment, +fully sustain this observation of Mr. Hart.</p> + +<p>“In a recent number of the <i>British Medical Journal</i>, Dr. +Lauder Brunton, the eminent English physiologist and neurologist, +in mentioning the fact that death from chloroform anæsthesia +rarely occurs in India, but is not infrequent in England, +attributed the fact to the meat-eating habits of the English people, +the natives of India being almost strictly vegetarian in diet, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_270" id="Page_270">[Pg 270]</a></span>partly from force of circumstances doubtless, but largely also, +no doubt, as the result of their religious belief, the larger proportion +of the population being more or less strict adherents to +the doctrines of Buddha, which strictly prohibit the use of flesh +foods.</p> + +<p>“The theory advanced by Dr. Lauder Brunton in relation to +death from chloroform poisoning, is that the patient does not +die directly from the influence of chloroform upon the nerve +centres, but that death is due to the influence of chloroform +upon the kidneys, whereby the elimination of the ptomaines and +leucomaines naturally produced within the body, ceases, their +destruction by the liver also ceasing, so that the system is suddenly +overwhelmed by a great quantity of poison, and succumbs +to its influence, its power of resistance being lessened by the inhalation +of the chloroform.</p> + +<p>“The affinity between alcohol and chloroform is very great. +Both are anæsthetics. Both chloroform and alcohol are simply +different compounds of the same radical, and the results of our +experiment certainly suggest the same thought as that expressed +by Dr. Brunton. How absurd, then, is the administration of +alcohol in conditions in which the highest degree of kidney +activity is required for the elimination of toxic agents!</p> + +<p>“In a certain proportion of chronic cases there is a tendency +to tissue degeneration. Modern investigations have given good +ground for the belief that these degenerations are the result of +the influence of ptomaines, leucomaines and other poisons produced +within the body, upon the tissues. It is well known that +many of these toxic agents, even in very small quantity give +rise to degenerations of the kidney. It is this fact which explains +the occurrence of nephritis in connection with diphtheria, +scarlet fever and other infectious maladies. Dana has called +attention to the probable role played by ptomaines produced in +the alimentary canal in the development of organic disease of +the central nervous system.</p> + +<p>“It is thus apparent that the integrity of the renal functions +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_271" id="Page_271">[Pg 271]</a></span>is a matter of as great importance in chronic as in acute disease, +hence any agent which diminishes the efficiency of these +organs in ridding the system of poisons, either those normally +and regularly produced, or those of an accidental or unusual +character, must be pernicious and dangerous in use.”</p></div> + +<p>Among the more recent findings of science in +regard to the effects of alcohol are the action of +this drug upon the leucocytes or “guardian cells” +of the body. Leucocytes are defined to be “minute, +nucleated, colorless masses of protoplasm, capable +of ameboid movements, found swimming freely in +blood and lymph, in the reticulum of lymphatic +glands, and in bone-marrow and other connective +tissue.” The white corpuscles of the blood are leucocytes. +“The work of these cells is to prey upon +and take into their substance bacteria and other +micro-organisms within the blood and tissues. +This destruction of bacteria, and other noxious +organisms, has the biological name of phagocytosis.”</p> + +<p>Dr. Alonzo Brown in <i>Physician and Surgeon</i> says +of phagocytosis:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Recently a brilliant theory has been projected into the +histological world. It is the principle of phagocytosis. The +beauty of it is so great that we are attracted by it, and its +reasonings have riveted general attention. It is said that +certain cells have the power to absorb and so destroy other +cells. This is phagocytosis. It is said that ‘the cells which +are known to possess phagocytocic properties are the leucocytes, +mucous corpuscles, connective tissue cells, endothelia +of blood vessels and lymphatic vessels, alveolar eypithelium of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_272" id="Page_272">[Pg 272]</a></span>the lungs, and the cells of the spleen, bone, marrow and +lymphatic glands.’ (Senn). This is a very significant array of +colloid matter; and it has been repeatedly affirmed by the highest +authorities that alcohol is poisonous to the colloid element.</p> + +<p>“Now, among the most important of the phagocytes just +enumerated are the leucocytes. They embrace and enfold the +pathogenic germs with which they come in contact by what is +known as an ameboid force. They enclose, disintegrate and +absorb the enemy. It is well known that the moment the leucocytes +are submitted to an alcoholic solution, their ameboid +movements cease, and their function is arrested. It is plain +that their phagocytocic power is immediately destroyed. It is +possible, also, that the fixed tissue-cells are likewise impaired +or killed by alcoholic imbibition. How deleterious, and even +deadly, must the internal administration of alcoholic liquors then +be in the treatment of diphtheria, and of other diseases having +a germinal origin? It therefore follows, to my mind, that all the +diseases which are the result of germinal infection, are most +badly treated when alcohol is used in their therapy.</p> + +<p>“With extreme brevity I advert to another view in the field. +It is that of adynamic disease. It has been conclusively proven +that alcohol decreases the muscular power. It decreases (from +the minimum dose to the maximum) the power of the heart as +well as that of all other muscles. I say this has been absolutely +demonstrated by Richardson and others. In death from adynamia +it is through failure of muscle, that is, of the heart, of +the scaleni and intercostals, of the diaphragm, and of the laryngeal +muscles, et cetera. All of the muscles may gradually fail, +become wearied unto death. How pernicious then must +alcohol be in adding its influence to bring about the tragic end!</p> + +<p>“It is my belief that it is in diphtheria that the most dire +results are to be observed. In that disease the vast majority +of cases die by asthenia, or else by sudden failure of the heart. +To what is this sudden cardiac paralysis due? The elucidation +is as follows. In the grave cases there is almost invariably a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_273" id="Page_273">[Pg 273]</a></span>subnormal temperature, together with great muscular prostration. +Also it is a physiological fact that a decrease of the +temperature slows nervous conduction. As the system is +made colder, the nervous force flows slower and slower. In +diphtheria the heart muscle is very weak, the temperature falls, +the lessened nervous energy but feebly animates the muscular +fibres, and so actual paralysis ensues, death closing the scene +almost instantaneously. Now, in such a state of imminent +danger, brought about by such causes, what could be worse +than to administer an agent which notably reduces temperature, +and at the same time enfeebles muscular power? May +I add, what could be the remedy in such a condition? and I +answer, <i>External heat freely applied to the whole surface of +the body</i>. This will prevent the cardiac paralysis whenever it +is preventable.”</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Medical Pioneer</i> of Dec., 1892, contained an +editorial article upon “The Toxine Alcohol,” which +deals with leucocytes and their functions. The +following is the article:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Dr. Broadbent’s introductory address at the opening of the +session at Owen’s College, Manchester, deserves more attention +than most of these formal deliveries. He dwelt on the intellectual +interest which attaches to the study of medical science, +and illustrated it, among other ways, by the interest excited by +recent observations on the action of bacilli and the combat +which goes on between these invading hosts and the guardian +cells or leucocytes of the living body. Inflammation surrounding +a wound is regarded as caused by the influx and multiplication +of leucocytes to engulf and destroy septic bacilli which +have gained entrance from the air, a ‘local war’ of defence. +The issue of this pitched battle will depend on the relative +number and activity of the respective hosts. Inflammation +round a poisoned wound is an evidence of vital power and a +means of protecting the system at large from invasion and dev<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_274" id="Page_274">[Pg 274]</a></span>astation. +If this first line of defence is broken through, the +bacilli pass through the lymphatic spaces and ducts to the +glands, and another battle ensues which produces glandular +swelling and inflammation and possibly abscess. This second +line of defence may be insufficient and then we get general +septicæmia. It is now well proven that the injury is done, +not by the bacilli themselves but by the toxines which they +secrete or excrete. Dr. Broadbent very properly points out +that the action of the bacilli of fever in the body is strictly +comparable to the action of yeast in a fermentable liquid. The +yeast cells grow and multiply at the expense of the sugar, in destroying +which they produce alcohol, carbonic dioxide and other +substances. When the alcohol amounts to some 17 per cent. of +the liquid the process is stopped by the poisonous action of the +alcohol on the yeast cells. In just the same way the toxines +produced by the bacilli at length stop their further multiplication +and put an end to the disease. Alcohol is in fact, the toxine +produced by yeast, and, like many other toxines, it is not +only poisonous to cells which produce it, but to any animal into +whose veins it may happen to get.</p> + +<p>“There can be little doubt that the state of immunity which +one attack of certain fevers confers against future attacks +depends partly upon what is called the phagocytic action of +leucocytes. These have been actually observed to draw into +their interior and destroy bacilli which would otherwise have +multiplied and produced their special effects. There can be +little doubt, either, that we are continually taking into our +systems bacilli of all sorts, and that, again, disease is averted +by the activity of the germ-devouring leucocytes. Dr. Broadbent +describes an experiment which proves that power of resisting +disease is largely dependent on the activity of these +cells. A rabbit, having had a certain quantity of bacilli injected +under its skin, suffers from inflammation at the spot, and +perhaps abscess, but recovers. At the same time, another +rabbit is treated in precisely the same way, but, simultaneously, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_275" id="Page_275">[Pg 275]</a></span>a dose of chloral is injected into another part of the body. The +chloral, circulating in the blood, is known to paralyze leucocytes, +and, as a result of this, they do not collect and wage war +on the bacilli injected under the skin; there is very little local +reaction, the bacilli get free course into the lymph and blood, +and the animal dies. But, in the words of Dr. Broadbent, +‘alcohol in excess has a similar action on the leucocytes, and +this, as well as the deteriorating influence of chronic alcoholism +on the tissues, predisposes to septic infection. A single debauch, +therefore, may open the door to fever or erysipelas.’ +A <a name="Page_275t" id="Page_275t"></a><a href="#Page_275tn">similar</a> experiment of Doyen confirms this. He found that +guinea pigs can be killed by the cholera microbe, when introduced +by the mouth, if a dose of alcohol has been previously +administered. It has been the general testimony of observers +in cholera epidemics that those addicted to much alcohol are +far more liable to fatal attacks. But while large doses of +alcohol are, of course, more obviously injurious, it would be +absurd to imagine that lesser quantities are entirely without +influence in the same direction. It has, indeed, been shown by +Dr. Ridge, that even infinitesimal quantities of alcohol, such as +one part in 5,000, cause a more rapid multiplication of the +<i>bacillus subtilis</i> and other bacilli of decomposition, while, by +the same quantities, the growth of both animal and vegetable +protoplasm is retarded. Hence there can be no longer any +question that alcohol renders the body more liable to conquest +by invading microbes, less able to resist and destroy them. +Alcohol, a toxine injurious to living cells, is destroyed or removed +from the body as fast as nature can effect it, but while +it remains, and while able to affect the cells at all, its action is +detrimental to healthy growth and healthy life, and the less we +take of such an agent the better for us. This is a dictum which +it becomes the profession to enunciate far and wide. ‘The +less, the better’ is a watchword which all may use, and the +wise will interpret it in a way which will infallibly preserve them +altogether from all possible danger from such a source.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_276" id="Page_276">[Pg 276]</a></span></p> + +<p>On the sixteenth of December, 1897, Dr. Sims +Woodhead, president of the British Medical Temperance +Association, gave a masterly address in +London upon “Recent Researches on the Action +of Alcohol.” The lecture was illustrated by +lantern slides. From the report given in <i>The Medical +Temperance Review</i> of Jan., 1898, the following is +culled:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In a series of drawings of kidney you will notice first that +there is a condition known as cloudy swelling; this is one of +the first changes that can be observed. Notice the characteristic +features of this cloudy swelling in the cells of all these +specimens. The large swollen cells are granular, and very frequently +there is a granular mass in the lumen of the tubule. +In some cases the cells are so much swollen that the lumen of +the tubule is represented merely by a ‘star-shaped’ radiating +chink. The nucleus is usually somewhat obscured, that this +alcoholic cloudy swelling (similar to that met with as the result of +the administration of certain poisons) is the first change observed +in the parenchymatous cells of the organs of animals that have +died of acute alcoholic poisoning. This condition, unless the +cause is removed, goes on to a condition of fatty-degeneration, +as shown in the next specimen in which we have, in addition +to the granular appearance of the protoplasm of the cell, a deposition +of masses of fat in and at the expense of this protoplasm.</p> + +<p>“There is another series of changes to which I wish to draw +your attention. In the tubules of the kidney we have, in addition +to the granular appearance of the protoplasm of the cells, +an increase in the number of leucocytes, and connective tissue +cells between the tubules around the glomeruli and along the +course of the blood-vessels. This condition of small cell infiltration, +we know, is constantly associated with inflammatory +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_277" id="Page_277">[Pg 277]</a></span>conditions of the kidney as in other organs. Here then are the +changes in the epithelium plus increase in the number of leucocytes.</p> + +<p>“I show you too a specimen of heart muscle, in which the +granular degeneration, or cloudy swelling is well marked +whilst here and there the process is going on to fatty degeneration, +similar to that seen in the kidney. Here again, then, the +active elements of the organ are becoming broken down, or, at +any rate, losing their normal structure and affording evidence +of fundamental changes in these cells. Such changes are set +up, not by any one poison alone, or by any single disease +toxin, but by members of many groups of poisons, by alcohols, +ethers, etc. indeed by very various poisons—animal, vegetable +and mineral.</p> + +<p>“Now, it is a peculiar fact, as shown by Massart, Bordet and +others, in researches on chemiotaxis, that nearly all these +poisons have the power of repelling leucocytes, and of seriously +interfering with them in the performance of their functions, and +this power assumes a special significance in connection with +our subject this afternoon.</p> + +<p>“Now, two of the great functions of leucocytes under ordinary +conditions are those of policing and scavenging. Massart +and Bordet showed, under the action of certain substances, +alcohol amongst others, these functions are lost, but following +up Metchnikoff and others they observed that after a time these +same leucocytes became accustomed to the presence of these +poisons, gradually becoming ‘acclimatized’ as it were. At +first paralyzed or repelled, they after a time pluck up courage to +attack the invading substances and carry on or renew their +accustomed work of scavenging; they try to get rid of both +poisons and poison-producers, and even acquire the power of +forming substances (anti-toxins) which can neutralize the poison +and allow the cells to devote their energy to doing their own +proper work.</p> + +<p>“Here are drawings of minute abscesses that have formed +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_278" id="Page_278">[Pg 278]</a></span>in the wall of the heart. We see at once the part that the leucocytes +play in attacking micro-organisms, and of localizing their +action. Look at the blood-vessel in the wall of the heart with +its plug of micro-organism (staphylococci) in the centre of a clear +space; here the leucocytes are not numerous, indeed they are +very sparsely scattered, and appear to have been driven back +by the organisms or their toxics. Then a little distance away +from the toxin and toxin-forming organisms, the leucocytes are +coming up in large numbers, forming a sort of protecting army, +as it were. This is known as leucocytosis. In the small +patent vessels around this commencing abscess numerous +leucocytes, far in excess of the usual proportion, may be seen—the +nearer the abscess, the more numerous they become. +Thus the leucocytes make their way to what is to become the +wall of the abscess, and form a layer around a mass of micro-organisms, +localizing, or attempting to localize, such mass. +So long as the leucocytes can make their way to this mass, +and shut it off from the surrounding tissue, so long we shall +have no extension of the abscess.</p> + +<p>“Now, if you add something—alcohol in the case we are +considering—which not only exerts a negative chemiotaxic +action—i. e., which drives the leucocyte away—but which, as +we have seen, also causes degeneration of nerve, muscle and +epithelial cells, shall we not injure the infected patient both +directly and indirectly by interfering with the return of the +leucocytes driven away, by diminishing or altering the functional +activity of these cells, and indirectly by interfering with +the excretion of the poisons (owing, as we have seen, to a +degenerated condition of the secretory epithelium)? Have we +not, in fact, a cumulative action of two substances, either of +which alone would do damage, but not in the same proportion +as do the two when acting together.</p> + +<p>“Now let us see what we may learn from a series of experiments +carried out by Dr. Abbott, working in the Laboratory of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_279" id="Page_279">[Pg 279]</a></span>Hygiene of the University of Pennsylvania, under the auspices +of the committee of fifty, to investigate the Alcohol Question.</p> + +<p>“These are his conclusions:—</p> + +<p>1. “That the normal vital resistance of rabbits to infection by +streptococcus pyogenes is markedly diminished through the +influence of alcohol when given daily to the stage of acute +intoxication. 2. That a similar, though by no means so conspicuous, +diminution of resistance to infection and intoxication +by the bacillus coli communis also occurs in rabbits subjected +to the same influences.</p> + +<p>“Throughout these experiments, with few exceptions, it will +be seen that the alcoholized animals not only showed the +effects of the inoculations earlier than did the non-alcoholized +rabbits, but in the case of the streptococcus inoculations, the +lesions produced (formation of miliary abscesses) were much +more pronounced than are those that usually follow inoculations +with this organism.</p> + +<p>“With regard to the predisposing influence of the alcohol, +one is constrained to believe that it is in most cases the result +of structural alterations consequent upon its direct action on +the tissues, though in a number of animals no such alterations +could be made out by microscopic examinations. I am inclined, +however, to the belief, in the light of the work of +Berkley and Friedenwald, done under the direction of Professor +Welch, in the pathological laboratory of the Johns +Hopkins University, that a closer study of the tissues of these +animals would have revealed in all of them structural changes +of such a nature as to indicate disturbances of important vital +functions of sufficient gravity fully to account for the loss of +normal resistance.</p> + +<p>“Following up Dr. Abbott’s experiments, Dr. Deléarde, +working in Calmette’s laboratory in the <i>Institut Pasteur</i> at +Lille, made a series of observations which are, from many +points of view, of very great interest and importance as he +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_280" id="Page_280">[Pg 280]</a></span>attacks it from an entirely new standpoint, one that will, I +hope, ere long, be taken up by those working in this country. +It has already been demonstrated that ‘alcoholics’ suffer far +more seriously from microbic affections than do those of sober +life, and it is now accepted that amongst them the mortality +from this class of disease is higher than amongst those who +are not accustomed to take alcohol regularly or to excess.</p> + +<p>“It is pointed out, as most of us have from time to time had +the opportunity of observing, that, taking pneumonia as an +example of this class of disease, there can be no doubt that the +alcoholic patient has not merely an appreciably smaller chance +for recovery, but an apparently slight attack becomes one in +which the chances of recovery come to be against the patient +rather than in his favor. I well remember when I was House +Physician in the Royal Infirmary at Edinburgh that Dr. Muirhead, +who almost invariably treated his pneumonic patients +without alcohol, used to say that an ordinary case of acute +pneumonia should always recover under careful treatment, but +that cases of pneumonia in ‘alcoholics’ were always most +anxious cases and in every way unsatisfactory. (Slides were +shown on screen to illustrate the changes taking place in pneumonia, +the conditions of leucocytosis, and the very important +part which leucocytes play in the process of ‘clearing up’ during +the course of the patient’s recovery). Dr. Deléarde in an +admirable summary gives the principal features of pneumonia +in alcoholics. He describes it as running a comparatively +prolonged course, as being often accompanied by a violent +delirium, following which is a period of prostration or of coma; +even in those who recover, abscesses frequently occur in the +liver, or in other organs. He also points out that there may be +a similar chain of events in other infective conditions such as +erysipelas and typhoid fever, but as he insists that, until Abbott’s +experiments on the streptococcus,<a name="FNanchor_A_1" id="FNanchor_A_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> staphylococcus<a name="FNanchor_A_2" id="FNanchor_A_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> and bacterium +coli,<a name="FNanchor_A_3" id="FNanchor_A_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_A_1" class="fnanchor">[A]</a> in alcoholized and non-alcoholized animals, little +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_281" id="Page_281">[Pg 281]</a></span>attempt has been made to indicate the mechanism, or, at any +rate, the process by which alcoholized individuals are rendered +more susceptible to the invasion and action of micro-organisms.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_A_1" id="Footnote_A_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_A_1"><span class="label">[A]</span></a> Microbes or bacteria of different kinds.</p></div> + +<p>“As we have already seen, Abbott’s experiments prove beyond +doubt that attenuated disease-producing organisms, which in +healthy animals do not kill immediately, bring about a fatal +result when the animal has previously been treated with alcohol. +In order to determine which was the most important +factor in the destruction or weakening of the resisting agents +in the body, Dr. Deléarde conceived the idea of experimenting +with those diseases in which it has been found possible to produce, +artificially, as it were, and under controlled conditions, an +immunity or insusceptibility in healthy animals. He carried +out a series of experiments on rabbits, immunizing against and +infecting with the virus of hydrophobia, tetanus and anthrax.<a name="FNanchor_B_2" id="FNanchor_B_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_B_2" class="fnanchor">[B]</a> +To these rabbits he first administered a quantity of alcohol, +from 6 to 8 c.c. at first, and gradually rises to 10 c.c. doses +per diem.</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_B_2" id="Footnote_B_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_B_2"><span class="label">[B]</span></a> Carbuncle.</p></div> + +<p>“There is in the first instance a slight falling off in weight of +the animal, but after a time this ceases, and the animal may +again become heavier, until the original weight is reached. He +then took a series of animals and vaccinated them against +hydrophobia. In one set the animals were afterwards alcoholized +and then injected with a considerable quantity of virulent +rabic cord. It was here found that immunity against +rabies had not been lost.</p> + +<p>“In a second set the vaccination and alcoholization were carried +on simultaneously, a fatal dose (as proved by control experiment) +of rabic cord was then injected, when it was found +that little or no immunity had been acquired. In a third series +the alcohol was stopped before the immunizing process was +commenced. In this case marked immunity was acquired.</p> + +<p>“As regards rabies, then, acute alcoholism, especially when +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_282" id="Page_282">[Pg 282]</a></span>continued for comparatively short periods, simply has the effect +of preventing the acquisition of immunity when alcohol is administered +during the period when the immunizing process +ought to be going on. This indicates that the action of the +alcohol in acute alcoholism is direct, and that although its +administration prevents the acquisition of immunity it does not +alter the cells so materially that they cannot regain some of +their original powers, whilst once the immunity has been gained +by the cells, alcohol cannot, immediately, so fundamentally +alter them that they lose the immunity they have already +acquired. When we come to the consideration of the case of +tetanus, however, we are carried a step further. Dr. Deléarde +repeating his immunizing and alcoholizing experiments, but +now working with tetanus virus in place of rabic virus, found—and, +perhaps, here it may be as well to give his own words:—</p> + +<p>(1) “‘That animals vaccinated against tetanus and afterwards +alcoholized lose their immunity against tetanus;</p> + +<p>(2) “‘That animals vaccinated against tetanus and at the same +time alcoholized do not readily acquire immunity;</p> + +<p>(3) “‘That animals first alcoholized and then vaccinated may +acquire immunity against tetanus if alcohol is suppressed from +the commencement of the process of vaccination.’</p> + +<p>“In the case of anthrax too, as we gather from another +series of experiments, it is almost impossible to confer immunity, +if the animal is alcoholized during the time that it is being +vaccinated, and although the animals, first alcoholized and then +vaccinated, may acquire a certain amount of immunity, they +rapidly lose condition and are certainly more ill than non-alcoholized +animals vaccinated simultaneously.</p> + +<p>“We have already mentioned that Massart and Bordet some +years ago pointed out that alcohol, even in very dilute solutions, +exerts a very active negative chemiotaxis, i. e., it appears to +have properties by which leucocytes are repelled or driven +away from its neighborhood and actions. Alcohol thus pre<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_283" id="Page_283">[Pg 283]</a></span>vents +the cells from attacking invading bodies or of reacting in +the presence of the toxins which also, as is well known, exert a +more or less marked negative chemiotaxis, i.e., the cells appear +to be paralyzed. In all diseases, then, in which the leucocytes +help to remove an invading organism or in which they have the +power of reacting or of carrying on their functions in the presence +of a toxin, we should expect that alcohol would to a certain +extent deprive them of this power or interfere with their +capacity for acquiring a greater resisting power or of reinforcing +the powers of resistance. It appears indeed to reinforce +the poison formed by pathogenic organisms. Dr. Deléarde +maintains moreover that chronic alcoholism increases enormously +the difficulty of rendering an animal immune to anthrax, +whilst as those who have had any experience of cases of +anthrax know full well alcoholics, whether acute or chronic, +manifest a remarkable susceptibility both as regards attacks of +anthrax and the fatality of the disease when once contracted. +Further as clinical proof of the correctness of another of these +sets of experiments, Dr. Deléarde instances two cases of rabies +which have come under observation in the Institut Pasteur—one, +a man of 30 years of age, of intemperate habits who after +a complete treatment of 18 days after a bite in the hand died of +hydrophobia; the other, a child of 13 years who was bitten on the +face by the same dog that had attacked the other patient, and +on the same day—who underwent the same treatment remained +perfectly well. In this case the more severe bite (the +face being the most serious position in which a person can be +bitten) was received by the child; indeed the intemperate habits +of the man, who even took alcohol during treatment, appear to +have been the only more serious factor in his case as compared +with that of the child.</p> + +<p>“From all this Dr. Deléarde draws the practical conclusion +that patients who have been bitten by a mad dog should as far +as possible abstain from the use of alcohol not only during the +process of treatment, but also for some time afterwards, even +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_284" id="Page_284">[Pg 284]</a></span>for a period of eight months, during which period, apparently, +increase of immunity may be going on. Beyond this he maintains +that doctors often commit a grave error in administering +strong doses of alcohol to patients suffering from certain infectious +diseases such as pneumonia, or from certain intoxications +such as those produced by snake-bite, during which an increase +in the number of leucocytes appear to be a necessary part of +any process that leads to the cure of the patient. Finally, he +points out how necessary it is that we should respect the integrity +of the leucocytes in the presence of microbic infections or +intoxications. We may accept these statements all the more +readily as Dr. Deléarde states that ‘although we must recognize +that small doses of dilute alcoholic beverages are indicated in +certain cases where it is necessary to stimulate the nervous +system, one must guard oneself against an abuse which may +certainly be prejudicial to the putting into operation of the +mechanism of defence against the organisms of disease.’</p> + +<p>“In so far as these conclusions rest on a series of exact experiments +we are justified in accepting them as being a most +valuable contribution to the question; where there is no experimental +basis, we must exercise our own judgment. To show +the very strong impression that exists that there is some connection +between severe cases of pneumonia and alcohol I may +mention that the other day I heard a gentleman (not a medical +man) say, ‘It is well known that most men (of a certain profession) +die from alcoholism.’ When asked to explain he said, +‘They all die from cirrhosis or pneumonia, and if those conditions +are not due to alcoholism, what is?’</p> + +<p>“There can be no doubt that in addition to its specific action, +alcohol has a general action—the mal-nutrition, which is usually +associated with the use of alcohol, especially as a result of its +action on the mucous membranes of the stomach, etc.”</p></div> + +<p>That the “guardian cells” of the body play a part +in a considerable number of diseases was illustrated +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_285" id="Page_285">[Pg 285]</a></span>by Dr. Woodhead by drawings and photographs, +shown on the lantern screen. The photographs included +cells containing anthrax, typhoid and tubercle +bacilli, the spirilla of relapsing fever, specimens +from cases of anthrax. Specimens were shown in +which the cells were actually ingesting and digesting +the specific micro-organisms. In a case of typhoid, +showing large masses of typhoid bacilli in +one of Peyer’s patches, there were seen certain of +the cells which contained the typhoid bacilli, some +of them undergoing degenerative changes, and +showing unequal standing.</p> + +<p>Of the researches made by Dr. Abbott referred +to in the foregoing lecture Dr. N. S. Davis says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Thus we have another and direct positive demonstration of +the fact that the presence of alcohol in living bodies not only +impairs all the physiological processes, but also impairs their +vital resistance to the effects of all other poisons. It was +hardly necessary, however, to trouble the rabbits to obtain +proof of this; for such evidence may be found in abundance +by examining the vital statistics of every civilized country. The +late Frank H. Hamilton, in his valuable work on military +hygiene, gives an interesting account of an experiment executed, +not on a few rabbits, but on whole regiments of human beings, +who were being exposed to the inhibition, not of the streptococcus +pyogenes, but to the infections of malarial and typho-malaria +fever. And, as many were attacked with sickness, it +was thought by some of those in authority that if the soldiers +were given a specified ration of alcoholic liquor two or three +times a day, it might enable them to resist the morbid influences +to which they were exposed. The proposed ration was +accordingly ordered, and Dr. Hamilton informs us that the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_286" id="Page_286">[Pg 286]</a></span>soldiers taking the liquor ration succumbed to the morbific +influences surrounding them so much more rapidly than before, +that in less than sixty days the order was countermanded, and +the liquor ration stopped. And that eminent surgeon and +sanitarian added, with peculiar emphasis, that he wished never +to see the same experiment tried again.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. J. J. Ridge, of London, has learned through +his experiments that alcohol not only hinders the +leucocytes in their war upon disease germs, but also +tends to the multiplication of germs. Of this he +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The antagonism of alcohol to the fundamental functions of +life is further exhibited by its action on the cellular elements of +living tissues and the free cells or leucocytes of the blood. Dr. +Lionel Beale long ago pointed out how it affected the protoplasm +of cells, and diminished the movements of amœbae, to +which leucocytes are apparently analogous.</p> + +<p>“But while alcohol is thus injurious to living protoplasm, or +<i>constructive protoplasm</i> as it may be called, that which builds +up, and forms all kinds of structures, and living beings of all +higher types, I accidentally discovered that in minute quantities, +under about one per cent., and even in such almost incredible +amounts as 1 part in 100,000, (<sup>1</sup>/<sub>10</sub> millilitre in 10 litres) it favors +the growth and multiplication of many microbes whose function +is antagonistic to the protoplasm of organized beings, and +which may therefore be called <i>destructive protoplasm</i>. We +know that these microbes are kept at bay by the vitality of the +tissues; if this vitality is lowered they may prevail: as soon as +life departs they set to work, and decomposition is the result. +It is, therefore, not very surprising that an agent, like alcohol, +which, we have seen, lowers the vitality of constructive protoplasm, +should, on the other hand increase the vitality of destructive +protoplasm. At any rate such is the fact. In the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_287" id="Page_287">[Pg 287]</a></span>presence of these minute quantities of alcohol, decomposition +goes on more rapidly, and the micrococci and bacilli, thrive and +swarm more abundantly. This is easily demonstrable by the +more rapid, and thicker, cloudiness of any clear decomposable +liquor in the course of a day or two, or in a few days, according +to circumstances. But I have demonstrated the more rapid +multiplication of some forms by means of plate cultivations, of +which I show specimens. It is true of the bacteria of decomposition, +of the streptococci, and staphylococci of pus, and of +diphtheria. Time alone has been wanting to demonstrate this +in other cases, which I hope to do.”</p></div> + +<p>The <i>Medical Week</i> some time ago contained this +paragraph:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Dr. Viala, in collaboration with Dr. Charrin, says: ‘I have +carried out a series of researches on the toxicity of various alcoholic +beverages in common use, such as wines and brandies +of all brands, from those which are reputed the best to those of +very inferior quality. All these products have been analyzed +with the greatest care. Our experiments were carried out on +fifty animals. Intravenous injections confirm Dr. Daremberg’s +statement that liquors considered as the best are the most toxic, +more particularly as regards their immediate effects.’”</p></div> + +<p>Although the foregoing statement directs the +reader’s attention to the comparative effects of different +alcoholic liquors, it also plainly implies several +facts of great importance. The first is, that all +alcoholic liquors, fermented or distilled, are toxic +or poisonous; and the more pure alcohol they contain, +the more poisonous are they, the qualities of +liquor differing only in the rapidity of their injurious +effects.</p> + +<p>In the same number of the <i>Medical Week</i>, Pro<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_288" id="Page_288">[Pg 288]</a></span>fessor +Gréhant states that after injecting a quantity +of alcohol into the venous circulation of a dog equal +to one twenty-fifth, or four per cent., of the estimated +weight of the blood of the animal, he found +by several analyses at different times that it required +“a little over twenty-three hours for complete +elimination of the alcohol from the blood.” +If we consider these results obtained by Viala, +Charrin, Daremberg and Gréhant, with those obtained +by Dr. A. C. Abbott, showing the direct effect +of alcohol in diminishing the normal vital +resistance of the living body to infection, we see +excellent reasons why the liberal use of alcohol in +the treatment of such infectious diseases as diphtheria, +typhoid fever and pneumonia, under the supposition +that it was a cardiac tonic, has resulted in +so great a mortality as from thirty to sixty per cent.</p> + +<p>Dr. A. Pearce Gould, a London hospital surgeon +of the first rank, has made special study of the +surgery of the blood-vessels, and of the chest. He +was one of the earliest to practice and advocate the +careful removal of the axillary glands in all operations +for cancer of the breast.</p> + +<p>He is a strong believer in the value of total +abstinence as promoting robust health of body and +mind. He regards the value of alcohol in disease +as exceedingly small, and prescribes it only very +rarely. He thinks that alcohol increases the +activity of cancer and other malignant growths, an +opinion which is of great importance from one with +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_289" id="Page_289">[Pg 289]</a></span>such exceptional opportunities for observation in +these complaints.</p> + +<p>Dr. N. S. Davis in the <i>American Medical Temperance +Quarterly</i> of January, 1895, gives reports of +cases which came under his observation as a consulting +physician, where the use of alcoholics +throughout an extended illness favored the continuance +of delirium, or mild mental disorder, after +convalescence was established. In each case the +withdrawal of the alcohol was followed by a cessation +of the mental delusion.</p> + +<p>One of these cases may be taken as an example:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The third case was that of a woman over sixty years of age, +who had suffered from a mild grade of fever and protracted +diarrhœa, somewhat resembling a mild grade of enteric typhoid +fever.</p> + +<p>“As she became much reduced in strength during the latter +part of her diarrhœa, her friends began to give her wine, and +sometimes stronger alcoholic drink, under the popular delusion +that these could strengthen her. Her mind soon became wandering, +and she was troubled with illusions, which were attributed +to her weakness, and the so-called stimulants were +increased. But the mental disorder increased also, and continued +after the fever and diarrhœa had ceased, until the question +was raised concerning the propriety of her removal to an +asylum for the insane.</p> + +<p>“Being consulted at that time, and listening to an accurate history +of the case, I suggested that the anæsthetic effect of the alcohol +on the cerebral hemispheres, in connection with its effect on +the hemoglobin, and other elements of the blood, in lessening +the reception and internal distribution of oxygen, might be +the cause of both the perpetuation of her weakness, and her +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_290" id="Page_290">[Pg 290]</a></span>mental disorder. I advised a trial of its entire omission, and +the giving of only simple nourishment, and moderate doses of +strychnine and digitalis, as nerve tonics. My advice was followed, +though not without much hesitation on the part of her +friends. The result, however, was entire recovery from the +mental disorder, and some improvement in her general health.”</p></div> + +<p>Puerperal mania resulted in one case cited, from +the use of a moderate amount of wine at mealtimes; +when the wine was abandoned the mania subsided.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_291" id="Page_291">[Pg 291]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XII" id="CHAPTER_XII"></a>CHAPTER XII.</h2> + +<h3>WHY DOCTORS STILL PRESCRIBE ALCOHOLICS.</h3> + + +<p>Workers in the department of Medical Temperance +of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union +are told repeatedly by the better class of physicians +that they would be glad often not to prescribe alcohol +if patients and their friends would not insist upon its +use. There is a deep-rooted prejudice in favor of +alcohol as a remedy in the minds of the great multitude +of people, and they are ready to distrust as fanatical, +or incompetent, any physician who does not use it. +Dr. Norman Kerr, a well-known physician of England, +says, that during a ten years’ residence in America, he +found people unwilling to pay him as much for his +services as they were willing to pay one who prescribed +alcoholics. Even those who were abstainers from +liquors as beverages distrusted him for not using +these things as medicines. Indeed, this prejudice +goes so far with many that they will refuse to +employ a non-alcoholic physician, if they know him +to be such. In consequence of this latter fact, +there are great numbers of skilful physicians who +say nothing about alcohol lest they be con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_292" id="Page_292">[Pg 292]</a></span>sidered +“faddists,” and lose practice, but who +never prescribe it unless it is asked for by the +patient or his friends.</p> + +<p>Again, consulting physicians will sometimes insist +upon the use of alcohol, and thus seeds of distrust +of the non-alcoholic physician will be sown.</p> + +<p>Dr. J. J. Ridge says of medical prescriptions:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Hundreds of medical men order alcoholic liquors from +habit, from ignorance of their real effect, from fashion, or +from a desire to please, or not to offend, their patients. Port-wine +is constantly being ordered when persons are recovering +from various diseases; day by day they regain their strength, +and the port-wine gets all the credit of it, especially since +each glass seems to diffuse a comfortable glow over the whole +body. They forget that the process of recovery would have +gone on without the port, and that hundreds and thousands of +people do get well without it. They often ignore the fact that +they are taking real tonics in addition. They are misled by +the sensations which the alcohol causes; they do not know +that it relaxes the blood-vessels instead of improving their tone; +that it exhausts the heart by making it beat away more rapidly +to no profit. Hence the convalescence is actually more +prolonged than it would otherwise be. Gentle exercise, regulated +baths, good food, balmy sleep, these are the true restoratives +of the exhausted system, and no jugglery with sedatives, +such as alcohol, can produce the desired result.</p> + +<p>“It is by its sedative action that alcohol has obtained its position +in public opinion. It will render persons insensible to +various uneasy sensations, and the majority prefer to continue +the bad habits which produce the uneasy sensations, and then +to take them away by a dose or two of some alcoholic liquor, +or, indeed, to take this before the uneasy sensations come on. +In this way they do themselves injury and make themselves +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_293" id="Page_293">[Pg 293]</a></span>unconscious of it. Dr. Beaumont, who had the opportunity of +examining the interior of Alexis St. Martin’s stomach, and of +seeing how digestion went on, was astonished to see how +inflamed the mucous membrane could be without any consciousness +of it. He observed, as a matter of fact, that alcoholic +drinks of all kinds hindered the process of digestion, and +produced this morbid condition of the mucous membrane. +The relief, therefore, which can be obtained by alcohol is +delusive and dangerous.</p> + +<p>“But some persons say they are afraid to abandon the use of +alcohol because they have been in the habit of taking it for a +long period. This fear is entirely groundless. The alcohol +will be missed for a time, just as a person who has been using +crutches would miss them if thrown away; but they will do +better without both after a little while. There is no kind of +constitution which renders a person unable to do without alcohol. +The prisoners in all our jails have to leave off their drink +at once, and altogether, on entering there, and no harm ever +ensues in consequence. But some say that this is because their +diet is so carefully arranged, and the hygienic condition of the +prison so perfect. Quite so. This shows us clearly that when +total abstainers become ill outside the prison, their illness is to +be attributed to some error in diet or hygiene, or to some +accidental circumstance. It is absurd to think that the infraction +of one law of health can be nullified by breaking another; +that if you eat too much, or too fast, or too often, or what is +not good for you, you can escape the consequences by injuring +yourself with alcohol.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. N. S. Davis was for many years openly +sneered at by many of his professional brethren as +“a cold-water fanatic.” Since his views are now +being rapidly adopted by progressive medical men +all over the civilized world, it may be that soon those +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_294" id="Page_294">[Pg 294]</a></span>physicians who cling to alcohol will deserve the +soubriquet of “alcohol fanatics.” Dr. Davis said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“If I am asked why the profession continues to prescribe +these drinks, I answer; simply from the force of habit and traditional +education, coupled with a reluctance to risk the experiment +of omitting them while the general popular notions +sanction their use. Nothing is easier than self-deception in +this matter. A patient is suddenly taken with syncope, or +nervous weakness, from which abundant experience has shown +that a speedy recovery would take place by simple rest and +fresh air. But in the alarm of friends something must be done. +A little wine or brandy is given, and as it is not sufficient to +positively prevent, the patient in due time revives just as would +have been the case if neither wine nor brandy had been used.</p> + +<p>“Of course both doctor and friends will regard the so-called +stimulant as the cause of the recovery. So, too, when patients +are getting weak, in the advanced stage of fever, or some other +self-limited disease, an abundance of nourishment is regularly +administered, in the greater part of which is mixed some kind +of alcoholic drink. The latter will always occupy the chief attention, +and if, after a severe run, the fever, or disease, finally +disappears, it will be said that the patient was sustained or +‘kept alive’ for over two or three weeks, as the case may be, +‘solely by the stimulants,’ when, in fact, if the same nourishment +and care had been given without a drop of alcohol, he +would have convalesced sooner, and more perfectly, as I have +seen demonstrated a thousand times in my experience.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Casgrau, of Dublin, says that physicians who +make personal use of alcohol are not able to give +an unbiased opinion about its action, as one of its +most marked effects is that of a narcotic to the mental +powers; such physicians are not so acute to observe +the action of this, or any drug.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_295" id="Page_295">[Pg 295]</a></span></p> + +<p>Sir B. W. Richardson, M. D., in an address upon +the reasons why physicians still prescribe alcoholics, +says that the magnetism of public opinion has +great weight with professional men.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“All professions are under that subtle influence. All professions +whatever their duties, whatever their learning may be, +are sensitive and obedient to that influence. In their pride +they think they lead public opinion; it is a mistake, they always +follow it on every question in which the people, at large, have a +voice. They can assist in influencing the public voice, and +sometimes, to quote the words of Abbé Purcelle, spoken in the +dawn of the great French Revolution, they may prove that +‘respect for sovereign power sometimes consists in transgressing +its orders,’ but as a general rule not merely the orders but +the inclinations are obeyed. We have to wait on, and for, public +opinion, and in nothing so much as on the subject of alcohol. +The use of alcoholic beverages rests not on argument but +on habit, custom. To those whom it affects personally it is an +absolute monarch. It makes its own empire. By the very +action which it has upon the body of those who receive it into +themselves it rules and governs. The joke of the inebriate +man that when he had taken his potation he was quite another +man and that then he felt it his duty to treat that other man, +is literally true, a terse and faithful expression of a natural fact. +The man or woman born and bred under the influence of alcohol +is of the race of alcohol, and as distinct a person as any +racial peculiarity can supply. The reason, the judgment, the +temper, the senses are attuned by it. It is loved by its lovers +like life. The grape to them is no longer a luscious fruit; it is +‘the mother of mighty wine,’ and he who is bold enough to disown +that motherhood must stand apart. How can a profession +however strong, march all at once against such an overwhelming +influence? Itself born, perchance, under the influence +bred under it, how shall it immediately be transformed? Why +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_296" id="Page_296">[Pg 296]</a></span>disobey the influence? It is in the <i>interest</i> of the doctor to +obey, in a worldly sense of view; but more—it is in his <i>nature</i> +to obey. The strong bands of nature and interest go hand in +hand. Is it wonderful that the genius of a professional man +so situated should, according to the quality of his genius, uphold, +root and branch, the rôle of his nativity? On the contrary +the wonder is that he has ever done anything else. It is +most natural that he should be amongst the last to take up +what revolutionizes all the manners, and customs, and faiths, of +society. A lady will ask her physician the question, May I +take wine, Sir? As much as you like Madam; it is very bad +for you and I take none, but that is your business entirely. +Henceforth that gentleman is said to be one who prescribes alcohol +in any quantity. In fact, he never prescribes it, for although +when forbidding is hopeless, there is all the difference +in the world between prescribing and permitting, permitting +goes down as if it were prescribing. Often a patient will try +to compromise. On an ocean of whisky and water, brandy and +soda, or other poisonous mixture, he is floating into fatal paralysis. +You tell him so faithfully, and he says he knows it and +will drop down to claret. If you assent, he tells his friends you +have changed his brandy or whisky to wine; if you dissent, he +says you have left your duty as a doctor undone, in order to become +an advocate for abstaining temperance, about which he is +as competent a judge as you are, and he won’t pay fees for that +advice. He pays to be cured of his disease, not to be dragooned +into a system peculiar in its tenets. In an alcoholic world +there is a strong argument in this decision. It rolls splendidly, +especially down hill.”</p></div> + +<p>After speaking of non-alcoholic physicians, and +their opinions of the harmfulness of alcohol, he +adds:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“On the other side, there are practitioners who, under the +magnetism of public opinion, as earnestly believe the opposite +in relation to alcohol, who declare they could not, conscienti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_297" id="Page_297">[Pg 297]</a></span>ously, +practice their profession if they were debarred the use of +alcohol, and who look on the advance and the growth of scientific +abstaining principles—which they cannot avoid recognizing—with +positive dread. The extremists on this side are indeed +extreme in their fanaticism. They shut their eyes to the most +obvious facts, and do not hesitate in their blindness to misrepresent +the most obvious truths. They affirm that under the influence +of total abstinence and, by inference, because of total +abstinence, the yearly decreasing death-rate of the population +is accompanied by reduction of vitality; that people who live +long are more enfeebled than those who live short lives and +merry; that under abstinence from alcohol fearful diseases are +being developed; that the total abstainers have less power for +resisting disease than the moderate temperate; and that under +the current system of advance towards total abstinence, a very +small advance yet by the way, diseases of a low type have developed +and extended their ravages.”</p></div> + +<p>It is only physicians of large conscientiousness, +or of great independence of character, who will dare +to go counter to the prejudices of the people.</p> + +<p>Consequently, it is necessary to educate <i>the people</i> +in the teachings of those physicians, whose eminence +in the profession has permitted them, or +whose conscientiousness has driven them, to expose +the delusions concerning the medical value of alcoholic +beverages. When the people cease to believe +in alcoholic remedies, physicians will no longer prescribe +them. But while the majority desire the +“physicians’ prescription” as a cover for indulgence, +there will be found physicians willing to give such +prescriptions.</p> + +<p>That the prescription of alcohol by physicians is +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_298" id="Page_298">[Pg 298]</a></span>largely a matter of routine may be seen from the +following two cases, reported to the writer by +county superintendents of the department of Medical +Temperance.</p> + +<p>In the first case, the physician said to the nurse, +“If the patient’s heart becomes weak, you might +give a little brandy or whisky.” Seeing reluctance +expressed upon the nurse’s countenance, he added +hastily, “Or coffee, strong coffee will do just as +well.” The nurse in reporting this to the writer, +said, “Why couldn’t he have ordered coffee in the +first place if he thought it equally good?”</p> + +<p>The second case was that of an aged woman +whose physician ordered whisky as a tonic. Her +granddaughter ventured to ask, “Would not whisky +have a narcotic rather than a tonic effect?” He +replied thoughtfully, “Well, tell the truth, I suppose +it would.”</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_299" id="Page_299">[Pg 299]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIII" id="CHAPTER_XIII"></a>CHAPTER XIII.</h2> + +<h3>ALCOHOLIC PROPRIETARY OR ‘PATENT’ MEDICINES.</h3> + + +<p>America has been called the Paradise of Quacks, +and with good reason. For years patent medicine +manufacturers had such complete control of the +American press, both secular and religious, that it +was almost impossible to reach the public with information +as to the real nature of these concoctions. +Consequently the people accepted with amazing credulity +the startling claims to miraculous cures of various +pills and potions as set forth under glaring headlines +in the daily papers. The publicity of the last few +years has hurt the traffic seriously, but it still has a +great hold upon the ignorant and credulous part of +the population, and there is still a very large number +of these preparations upon the market. Many persons +think that the Pure Food Law guarantees every drug +preparation now sold to be perfectly safe for use. +This is a great error. The guarantee means simply +that the manufacturer guarantees that his preparation +is as he states upon the label; the government guarantees +nothing concerning the matter. That the guarantee +of the manufacturer is not always truthful has +been shown by analyses of some preparations made by +state and national chemists. All the advantage that +the public has through the Pure Food Law, so far as +drug preparations are concerned, is that the percentage +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_300" id="Page_300">[Pg 300]</a></span>of alcohol must be printed upon the label, and the +presence of certain dangerous drugs, such as morphine, +cocaine, and acetanilid must be indicated. Thus persons +intelligent as to the nature of these drugs will +avoid medicines which the label says contains them. +The ignorant are not protected. It was difficult to +secure even this small restriction upon the sale of proprietary +medicines because of the opposition of a large +number of newspaper publishers who were sharing +the ill-gotten gains of the medical fakirs.</p> + +<p>A careful compilation of manufacturers’ announcements +list 1,806 so-called patent medicines sold in +open markets, in which alcohol, opium or other +toxic drugs form constituent parts. 675 of the +preparations are known as “bitters,” stomachics, or +cordials, and alcohol enters into their composition in +quantities varying from fifteen to fifty per cent.; +390 are recommended for coughs and colds, nearly +all of which contain opium. Sixty remedies are sold +for the relief of pain, and no other purpose. 120 are +for nervous troubles, and of this number, sixty-five +have entering into their composition coca leaves, or +kola nut, or both, or are represented by their respective +active principles, cocaine or caffeine. 129 are +offered for headaches, and kindred ailments, and +usually with a guarantee to give immediate relief. +In these are generally compounded phenacetine, +caffeine, antipyrine, acetanilid, or morphine, diluted +with soda, or sugar of milk. Dysentery, diarrhœa, +cholera morbus, cramp in bowels, etc., have 185 +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_301" id="Page_301">[Pg 301]</a></span>quick reliefs or “cures” to their credit, nearly all of +which contain opium, many of them in addition, +alcohol, ginger, capsicum or myrrh in various combinations, +and there are numerous cases on record +where children and adults have been narcotized by +their excessive use. Some manufacturers print on +the labels covering these goods, words of caution +limiting the amount to be taken. Forty-eight compounds +for asthma contain caffeine and morphine. +Sufferers from toothache have their choice from +thirty-eight remedies, and thirty-six soothing, or +teething, syrups are provided for infants.</p> + +<p>Many people have ignorantly and innocently formed +an alcohol, morphine, or cocaine habit through the use +of patent medicines. Many deaths have occurred +from headache powders of which acetanilid is the chief +ingredient. Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, chief of the Bureau +of Chemistry, says of these headache powders:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A woman has a headache and she uses one of these remedies. +It relieves the pain. When she has another attack she +uses it again and again with the same result. After a while +she finds the usual amount of the remedy does not cure the +pain. She uses two portions, and so the habit is formed +until absolute danger is confronted. For one thing must not +be forgotten: these remedies are powerful, for if they were +not they would be of no effect. They are in certain doses +deadly; they depress the nervous system; they disturb the +digestion; they interfere with natural sleep; they require to +be used in increasingly larger quantities as the system becomes +accustomed to their use; they are almost without exception +excreted by the kidneys, thus adding an additional +burden to organs already badly overworked. They produce +a habit of gaining relief which becomes an obsession and incapable +of being <a name="Page_301t" id="Page_301t"></a><a href="#Page_301tn">resisted.”</a></p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_302" id="Page_302">[Pg 302]</a></span></p> + +<p>It may be asked, “How is it if these mixtures are +harmful only, that so many people profess to have +received benefit from <a name="Page_302t" id="Page_302t"></a><a href="#Page_302tn">them?”</a> There are different +reasons for this.</p> + +<p>1. The nature of such drugs as alcohol, opium and +cocaine is to benumb sensation, so that pain is +stilled, and the pain, or functional disturbance forgotten +for the time, because the nerves are drugged +into insensibility. The person <i>feels</i> better while +under the influence of the drug, so thinks it is benefiting +him.</p> + +<p>2. There are people who imagine they have diseases +which they do not have; since trained physicians +occasionally err in diagnosis, it is not strange +if the laity should do likewise. Such persons are +always ready to aver that a certain medicine “cured” +them.</p> + +<p>A ludicrous example of this is a woman out West, +whose picture graces the advertisements of a certain +nostrum, accompanied by a testimonial that said +nostrum cured her of a “polypus”! Upon being +written to as to how such a preparation could effect +such a cure, she answered that, after giving the testimonial, +she found that she had not had a polypus!</p> + +<p>3. Some of the cures attributed to drugs, are +doubtless due to Nature. It is estimated that from +30 to 90 per cent. of ailments are cured by Nature, +unassisted, and often in spite of, the drugs swallowed. +Many of the books advertising these remedies (?) +give excellent rules of health, which, if followed, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_303" id="Page_303">[Pg 303]</a></span>would restore persons to vigor more speedily without +the accompanying medicine, than they can be +restored while the system has the poisonous drugs +to throw off. It may be reasonably assumed that a +goodly number of recoveries ascribed to drug treatments +are due, in reality, to the resisting force of a +good constitution, or to obedience to the laws of +health given in the circular.</p> + +<p>4. It is not uncommon for people suffering from +certain diseases to have temporary remissions in the +course of the disease. No doubt, some of the cases +reported as cures are such spontaneous remissions, +which are followed, after the testimonials have been +written, by relapse. The majority of people are +ignorant of the natural course of diseases—of what +happens when no treatment is taken. They do not +know that a great many affections are characterized +by periods of apparent recovery. For instance in +some varieties of paralysis, as well as in consumption, +the sufferer may to appearance recover completely +for a few months or longer; if a remedy was being +used at the time, it would naturally get the credit +of causing the favorable change.</p> + +<p>However, all of the glowing testimonials of wonderful +benefits accruing from patent medicines are +not what they seem to be. Dr. J. H. Kellogg says +in his <i>Monitor of Health</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The average manufacturer of patent medicines regularly +employs a person of some literary attainment whose duty it is +to invent vigorous testimonials of sufferings relieved by Dr. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_304" id="Page_304">[Pg 304]</a></span>Charlatan’s universal panacea. In many instances persons are +hired to give testimonials, and answer letters of inquiry in such +a way as to encourage business. The shameless dishonesty +and ingenious villainy exhibited are beyond description.”</p></div> + +<p>Recently an advertisement of one of these nostrums +stated in the headlines that said nostrum +was used in the Frances Willard Temperance Hospital, +Chicago. The testimonial appended purported +to be from a nurse in that hospital, <i>but the testimonial +did not state, as did the headlines</i>, that the preparation +was ever used in that hospital. The president +of the hospital board of trustees states that the +nurse positively denies having given any testimonial +to the company thus advertising. She did give one +to another patent medicine concern, but not to this, +and never said either was used in the hospital, nor +have they been. Suit could be brought for damages, +but unfortunately the patent medicine people +have unlimited money, and the hospital has not.</p> + +<p>Early in the present year there appeared in many +daily papers a large advertising picture of a man +whose name was appended as a professional nurse of +a western city.</p> + +<p>The following testimonial accompanied the picture:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Mr. —— of ——, who is a professional nurse of experience, +writes,—‘My friend is improving, thanks to ——, and +you. I am called on to nurse the sick of all classes. I recommend +---- to such an extent that I am nicknamed —— +(giving name of nostrum) by nearly everybody.’”</p></div> + +<p>As the writer of this book was acquainted with a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_305" id="Page_305">[Pg 305]</a></span>physician residing in the small city mentioned in +the advertisement, she wrote to him, requesting that +he investigate this testimonial.</p> + +<p>He replied that he found the chief part of the +advertisement, namely, that Mr. —— was a professional +nurse, false; “First, by his own statement +as he told me this morning that he never claimed +to be a professional nurse. And my personal acquaintance +with him, as well as that of a number of +other physicians in our little city, and reliable men +and women of this community who are acquainted +with him, all testify to the same thing, namely; +that he is not a professional nurse, neither is he a +nurse, or even a reliable man. He is an innocent, +ignorant man, very close to the pauper class. He +told me when I read the commendation to which +his name is affixed, that it was all true except the +professional nurse part, and that was entirely false, +as stated above.”</p> + +<p>As the picture was of a fine-looking, intelligent-appearing +man it probably was as <i>genuine</i> as the +testimonial.</p> + +<p>The following was clipped from a copy of <i>Merck’s +Report</i>, April, 1899, a druggists’ paper published in +New York city:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><h4> +<big><span class="smcap">Many Druggists Indignant.</span></big><br /> +<br /> +A PATENT-MEDICINE ADVERTISEMENT CONTAINS UNAUTHORIZED<br /> +ENDORSEMENTS.</h4> + +<p>“Fully a score of East-side druggists are up in arms over the +unauthorized use of their names in a full-page newspaper adver<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_306" id="Page_306">[Pg 306]</a></span>tisement +of a widely-known specific. This advertisement appeared +recently in certain New York daily papers, and retail +druggists who have made it a rule of their business never to +recommend any particular proprietary article, found themselves +quoted in unqualified laudation of the article so liberally advertised. +The names and addresses of the druggists were given +in full, and when several of the men quoted conferred together +they found that the most barefaced misrepresentation had been +resorted to.</p> + +<p>“One of the pharmacists thus misrepresented, happened to be +Sidney Faber, the secretary of the Board of Pharmacy. He +was not selling this particular specific, and had never said a +word for or against it, nevertheless, six or eight lines of endorsement +of the article were directly attributed to him. He +called on some of his druggist neighbors whose names he saw +in the advertisement, and ascertained that they, too, had been +falsely and unwarrantably quoted. Mr. Faber promptly wrote +to the proprietors of the specific in question, and denounced the +published endorsements bearing his name, as a forgery. His +indignation was by no means appeased when he received a +letter from the proprietary concern, couched in the following +language: ‘We regret to learn that you have been annoyed by +any statements that have appeared in New York city papers. +We will forward your letter to them.’</p> + +<p>“Within the past few days several of the druggists whose +names were used in this advertisement without authority, have +been considering the advisability of taking legal proceedings in +order to ascertain their rights in the matter. It is contrary to +pharmaceutical ethics for a pharmacist to specially endorse any +proprietary article, or patent medicine. Some of the offended +druggists propose to contribute to a fund for the purpose of +publicly, and widely, advertising this unwarranted use of their +names.”<br /><br /></p></div> + +<p>When patent medicine advertisers would dare to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_307" id="Page_307">[Pg 307]</a></span>resort to such a wholesale fraud as this, what may +they be expected to refrain from?</p> + +<p>As an illustration of how commendations from +notable persons are sometimes obtained, the following +is cited: In the winter of 1899, appeared an +advertising picture of the lovely Christian lady +from Denmark, the Countess Schimmelmann, who +was spending some time in Chicago. Below her +picture were the words:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Adeline, Countess Schimmelmann, whose portrait is here +given, in a recent letter to the —— company, (mentioning +proprietors of nostrum) speaks of friends of hers who have +been benefited by —— (mentioning nostrum), and who first +advised her to recommend it to her sick friends.</p> + +<p>“The Countess, as is well known, is a prominent member of +the Danish court. Her coming to this country has been much +talked of. Her real object is one of charity. She is stopping +in Chicago, <i>and from there writes her straightforward endorsement +of</i> —— (mentioning nostrum).”</p></div> + +<p>The italics are the writer’s. The picture and the +testimonial were cut from the paper, and sent to +the countess, asking if she had so spoken of this +medicine, and, if so, did she, a strong total abstinence +woman, know that this mixture contains a +large percentage of alcohol.</p> + +<p>She responded as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Thank you for asking me about the enclosed. A white-ribbon +lady came and asked me if I would do her the great +kindness to recommend —— compound (made up of the +juice of celery). I said I could not personally recommend it +as I neither use, nor want, medicine. But some very reliable +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_308" id="Page_308">[Pg 308]</a></span>friends of mine (<i>temperance people</i>, and <i>true Christians</i>) told +me I would do a good thing in recommending it as they used +it, and found it excellent. Then I wrote the following: ‘I +myself cannot recommend —— compound as I do not suffer +from any of the ailments it is said to be good for, but reliable +friends of mine tell me that it is excellent, and I would do a +good thing in recommending it to my friends. Adeline, Countess +Schimmelmann.’</p> + +<p>“I will only consent to the publishing of this letter if you +publish the <i>whole</i> letter, and no extract from it, as the white-ribbon +lady did for the —— compound.”</p></div> + +<p>If a white-ribboner played this mean trick upon +this distinguished Christian worker she is unworthy +of membership in the Woman’s Christian +Temperance Union. It is more than likely that +the “white-ribbon lady,” was a paid advertising +agent of the patent medicine manufacturer, and +wore a white-ribbon to gain the confidence of the +Countess.</p> + +<p>Whether patent medicine manufacturers know +how to doctor all ills to which human flesh is heir +may be doubted, but that their advertising agents +are skilful “doctors” of testimonials is very evident +to any one acquainted with the facts.</p> + +<p>The Department of Public Charities of New +York city in a “Report on the use of so-called +Proprietary Medicines as Therapeutic Agents,” +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In connection with this subject it might be mentioned that, +for years past, the name of Bellevue Hospital has been taken +in vain by a number of persons and firms, without any authority +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_309" id="Page_309">[Pg 309]</a></span>whatever. It is a common occurrence that samples of proprietary +medicines, foods, mineral waters, plasters, etc., etc. are +sent to the hospital, or to members of the house-staff for +‘trial,’ whereupon the subsequent advertisements of the +articles in question often assert that the latter are ‘used in +Bellevue Hospital,’ leaving the impression upon the mind of +the reader that the article, or articles, have been used with +the sanction of some member of the Medical Board. It is +probably impossible to find a remedy for this evil, from which +many other institutions of repute likewise suffer. To publish a +denial of such false assertions would only aggravate the evil. +The utmost that can be done appears to be, to caution the +medical staff against any entanglements with, or encouragement +of, the agents of the interested parties.”</p></div> + +<p>This report, which was adopted by the Medical +Board of Bellevue Hospital, classifies proprietary +preparations as “Objectionable” or “Unobjectionable” +according to the following rules:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Unobjectionable preparations are those, the origin and +composition of which is not kept secret, and which are known +to serve a useful and legitimate purpose. Malted Milk is an +example. Objectionable proprietary preparations, by far the +largest group of the whole class, comprise all those which are +aimed at under the medical code of ethics under the term +’secret nostrum,’ which term may be more closely defined thus:</p> + +<p>“A secret nostrum is a preparation, the origin or composition +of which is kept secret, the therapeutic claims for which +are unreasonable or unscientific, or which is not intended for a +legitimate purpose.</p> + +<p>“Examples: The various ‘Soothing Syrups,’ ‘Female +Regulators,’ ‘Blood Purifiers,’ and thousands of others.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. A. Emil Hiss, Ph. G., says of the secrecy of +these preparations:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_310" id="Page_310">[Pg 310]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A secret compound with a meaningless title is presumptively +a fraud. Why a secret if not to permit extravagant, or +fraudulent, claims as to therapeutic merit? * * * * * The +ruling motive of the secret being essentially false and dishonest, +its employment in the interest of any remedy is clearly +a sufficient cause for its condemnation and ostracism.”</p></div> + +<p>Mothers sometimes wonder why their boys take +so readily to cigarettes, or their daughters to cocaine, +never thinking that the soothing syrup, or cough +mixture given freely by themselves to their children +developed a craving for something stronger later +on. Mrs. Winslow’s Soothing Syrup, advertised for +years in church as well as secular papers as “invaluable +for children,” is cited in the report for +1888 of the Massachusetts State Board of Health +as containing opium; also Ayer’s Cherry Pectoral, +Dr. Bull’s Cough Syrup, Jayne’s Expectorant, +Hooker’s Cough and Croup Syrup, Moore’s Essence +of Life, Mother Bailey’s Quieting Syrup, and others +too numerous to mention. The report says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The sale of soothing syrups, and all medicines designed for +the use of children, which contain opium and its preparations +should be prohibited. Many would be deterred from using a +preparation known to contain opium, who would use without +question a soothing syrup recommended for teething children.”</p></div> + +<p>Again, on page 149 the following is quoted from +a prominent physician:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Among infants, and in the early years of life, soothing +syrups are the cause of untold misery; for seeds are doubtlessly +sown in infancy only to bear the most pernicious fruit in adult +life. It is said that one of the best known soothing syrups con<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_311" id="Page_311">[Pg 311]</a></span>tains +from one to three grains of morphia to the ounce of +syrup. I believe that stringent legal measures should immediately +be taken to stop the sale of so-called soothing syrups +containing opium, morphia or codeine.”</p></div> + +<p>The writer has known mothers so ignorant of the +nature of these soothing syrups as to deliberately +put the baby to sleep upon them in order to insure +relief from care for some hours.</p> + +<p>Prof. J. Redding, M. D., says on this point:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“While it may be true that an adult, of his own free will, and +without incentive, or predisposing causes, does occasionally become +a drunkard, I am convinced that nine hundred and +ninety-nine out of every one thousand individuals who become +drunkards are made so in embryo, infancy, or childhood, by the +use of alcoholic decoctions, soothing syrups, opiates, calomel, +etc. which are given as medicines to allay pain, obtund nerve +sensibility, to cure the little sufferer of his <i>vital manifestations</i>, +of his <i>mental discomforts</i>, but leave the actual disease and its, +perhaps, putrid causation to time and debilitated vitality to +remove.”</p></div> + +<p>Of the danger and harmfulness of patent cough +mixtures <i>The American Therapist</i> says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Cough mixtures as a rule, do more harm than good. Nine +times out of ten the principal ingredient is opium. It is true +that opium may lessen the tendency to cough, but it does great +damage by arresting the normal secretions, and the system +becomes affected by the poisons from the kidneys, skin, +stomach, intestines and the mucous membrane lining the upper +air passages. Not only do these mixtures arrest every +secretion in the body, but they also show their deteriorating +and degrading effect through the stomach. They contain substances +which tend to disorder and derange digestion.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_312" id="Page_312">[Pg 312]</a></span></p> + +<p>Several years ago the Post-Office Department at +Washington was led to take an interest in the question +of fraudulent “patent” medicines, and an examination +of many of these nostrums was undertaken by government +chemists. Fraud orders were issued against +some of the most flagrant offenders, forbidding them +the use of the mails. This has not done away with the +evil, however, for they usually move to another city, +and begin business again under another name.</p> + +<p>The examinations made for the Post Office Department +revealed the fact that a great many of the so-called +medicines on the market were intoxicating beverages +in disguise. The Internal Revenue Department +then took up the matter and a long list of these beverage +medicines was sent out to internal revenue agents +with instructions that these must not be sold henceforth +unless by persons paying a special tax for the +sale of alcoholic beverages.</p> + +<p>Some of the manufacturers of these nostrums +availed themselves of opportunity given to add a recognized +medicinal agent to their flavored alcohol and +water and such preparations were stricken from the +list of those requiring a whisky license for their sale. +Peruna and Hostetter’s Bitters were the best-known +of these. Peruna had been up to this time what government +chemists called “a cheap cocktail.” The report +of the pure food commissioner of North Dakota +for 1906 gives on page 157 an analysis of it as now +upon the market: “Alcohol by volume, 21.25 per +cent.; total solids, 3.846 per cent.; ash, .158 per cent.” +The report says:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_313" id="Page_313">[Pg 313]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The only thing of a medicinal nature that we could find +in this preparation appeared to be a small amount of senna +combined with a bitters of some kind.”</p></div> + +<p>Proprietary “Foods” have not escaped attention +from chemists. Dr. Charles Harrington, for several +years secretary of Massachusetts Board of Health, +was the first to publish an analysis of these preparations +showing their alcoholic strength and their small +nutritive content. He lists “foods” examined by him +as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Liquid Peptonoids 23.03 alcohol; maximum amount recommended +will yield less than one ounce of nutriment per +day, and the equivalent of 3.50 oz. of whisky. Hemapeptone +10.60 alcohol; Hemaboloids 15.81 alcohol; the maximum dose +recommended yields about ¼ oz. of nutriment, and the equivalent +of about 1½ oz. of whisky daily. Tonic Beef 15.58 +alcohol; doses recommended yield about ½ oz. nutriment +daily, and the equivalent of one ounce of whiskey. Mulford’s +Predigested Beef 19.72 alcohol; doses recommended +yield about 1¼ oz. nutriment daily, and the alcoholic equivalent +of about 6 oz. of whisky. There were “Foods” for the +sick examined which were non-alcoholic, but their nutritive +value was about nothing in comparison to their cost.”</p></div> + +<p>The Committee on Pharmacy of the American +Medical Association reports on the following foods +thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>Carpanutrine 17.3 alcohol; Liquid Peptones (Lilly & Co.) +22.0; Nutrient Wine of Beef Peptone (Armour) 21.5; Nutritive +Liquid Peptone 23.0; Panopepton 18.5; Peptonic Elixir +18.8; Tonic Beef 16.1. The report on these says: “There are +no fatty substances present in these products; their food +value from this point of view is, therefore, <i>nil</i><a name="Page_313t" id="Page_313t"></a><a href="#Page_313tn">.”</a></p></div> + +<p>A prominent physician of Philadelphia said of these +“Foods” in the Journal of the A. M. A.:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_314" id="Page_314">[Pg 314]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I have long been convinced that many a patient has suffered +severely when preparations such as these were being +used, and that not a few of them have died, chiefly of starvation. +* * * A very important disadvantage of these foods +is their alcoholic content. Even in the small doses customarily +used, the quantity of alcohol is often irritating to the stomach, +and may be disadvantageous in other ways.”</p></div> + +<p>The Committee on Pharmacy also reported on cod-liver +oil preparations. They said: “A preparation +claiming to represent cod-liver oil which does not contain +oil in some form is fraudulent. Waterbury’s +Metabolized Cod-Liver Oil and Hagee’s Cordial of +Cod-Liver Oil are cited as examples. It is claimed +by the manufacturers that the latter represents 33 per +cent. of pure Norwegian cod-liver oil, but in neither +of these preparations did the tests made by the committee +show any oil. Analysis revealed sugar, alcohol, +and glycerine, none of which is contained in cod-liver +<a name="Page_314t" id="Page_314t"></a><a href="#Page_314tn">oil.”</a></p> + +<p>Vinol is advertised as Wine of Cod-Liver Oil, but +is admittedly without oil, and according to analysis +contains 18.8 per cent. alcohol. Wampole’s Tasteless +Preparation of Cod-Liver Oil showed 20.05 per cent. +of alcohol.</p> + +<p>Cod-Liver Oil is considerably out of date now as a +prescribed remedy because physicians have found that +it impairs appetite. Cream and fresh butter and olive +oil are advised instead.</p> + +<p>Australia has been such a harvest field for patent +medicine manufacturers that a government commission +was appointed to study the subject. This commission +presented a voluminous report to the parlia<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_315" id="Page_315">[Pg 315]</a></span>ment +of 1907. This report gives an analysis of most +of the extensively advertised medicines. Doan’s Backache +Kidney Pills are said to be made of oil of juniper +1 drop, hemlock pitch 10 grains, potassium nitrate +5 grains, powdered fenugreek (Greek hay) 4 grains, +wheat flour 4 grains, maize starch 2 grains. The report +says: “The stuff is the cheapest kind of skin-plaster +made up into pills.” The seeds of fenugreek are used +mainly for poultices. Doan’s Dinner Pills contain two +drastic purgatives, podophyllin and aloin. Both of +these are dangerous drugs. Aloin frequently produces +hemorrhoids (piles). The <i>British Medical Journal</i> +says that the material in forty of the Kidney Pills and +four Dinner Pills would cost one English halfpenny +(one cent).</p> + +<p>Vitae-Ore is given as consisting of ordinary sulphate +of iron (green vitriol) to which a little Epsom +salts has been added. Munyon’s Kidney Cure, which +claims to cure Bright’s disease, gravel, and all urinary +diseases, is given as composed entirely of sugar. Dr. +Williams’ Pink Pills are said to be an iron pill much +the same as the ordinary Blaud’s Pills which are sold +in drug-stores for half, or less than half, the price of +the proprietary article. (Iron is said by recent investigators +to be very injurious to the stomach.)</p> + +<p>The Committee on Pharmacy of the American Medical +Association has analyzed many proprietary medicines; +from their reports the following analyses are +taken. “Health Grains,” which are claimed to be a +remedy for “Dyspepsia, Indigestion, Nervousness, +etc.,” were found to consist of 87.50 per cent. of coarse +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_316" id="Page_316">[Pg 316]</a></span>quartz sand, and 12.50 per cent. of rock candy and +syrup.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><a name="Page_316t" id="Page_316t"></a><a href="#Page_316tn">“Hoff’s</a> Consumption Cure consists essentially of sodium cinnamate +and extract of opium, a mixture at one time suggested +for the treatment of tuberculosis, but which has been +discarded by physicians. A medicine which depends on +opium for whatever therapeutic effect it may have is, when +sold indiscriminately to the laity, inherently vicious.”</p></div> + +<p>Sartoin Skin Food for “sunburn, and all skin blemishes” +was made of Epsom salts colored with a pink +dye. The government prosecuted the company sending +out Epsom salts as a “food,” and they were fined +$20 for thus seeking to dupe silly women.</p> + +<p>Malt extracts are very extensively used at the +present time, under the popular notion that they +are an aid to starch digestion. That they are a +product of the brewery has caused them to be +looked upon with suspicion by cautious people, but +the multitude has apparently given no thought, or +care, as to whether or not they may be alcoholic. +Dr. Charles Harrington presented the results of an +examination of these preparations at a meeting of +the Boston Society of Medical Sciences, held Nov. +17, 1896. The following is quoted from the journal +of the society for November, 1896:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Twenty-one different brands of liquid malt extract were +obtained and analyzed. That they were not true malt extracts +is shown by the fact that in no one was there the slightest diastatic +power; all were alcoholic, some being stronger than beer, +ale, or even porter. In a number of specimens a large amount +of salicylic acid was detected.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_317" id="Page_317">[Pg 317]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. J. H. Kellogg, in commenting upon this report, +said in the Dec., 1896, <i>Bulletin of the A. M. T. A.</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In the light of these facts, it is apparent that ale or lager +beer might as well be prescribed for a patient as these so-called +malt extracts, which are practically nothing more than concentrated +ale or lager.”</p></div> + +<p>There are malt extracts, made up like honey, or +syrup, in consistency, which are valuable.</p> + +<p>The following list of malt extracts, with accompanying +letter from Prof. Sharples, is taken from a +paper published by Hon. Henry H. Faxon, of +Quincy, Mass.:—<br /></p> + +<div class="blockquot"> +<p> +<span class="ralign">“Boston, Mass., March 20, 1897.</span><br /> +</p> + +<p>“I enclose a list of the malt extracts examined in this office +during the past year or two. These samples were all in +original packages, obtained by officers in various parts of +Eastern Massachusetts. They probably very fairly represent the +various malt extracts on the market. I have added two +samples of Porter and one of Old Brown Stout for purposes of +comparison.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 50%"> +“Yours respectfully,<br /> + “<span class="smcap">S. P. Sharples</span>.<br /> + “State Assayer.”<br /> +</p></div> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" summary="Analysis of malt extracts." style="width: 60%;"> + <tr> + <th class="tdl"> </th> + <th class="tdl">Name.</th> + <th class="tdrp">Solids.</th> + <th class="tdrp">Alcohol.</th> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5193</td> + <td class="tdl">English Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">9.70</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.63</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5214</td> + <td class="tdl">Old Grist Mill Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.57</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.54</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5418</td> + <td class="tdl">Old Grist Mill Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">9.98</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.63</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5490</td> + <td class="tdl">Old Grist Mill Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">12.28</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.86</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5626</td> + <td class="tdl">Old Grist Mill Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">9.63</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.00</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5207</td> + <td class="tdl">Liquid Food, a Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.47</td> + <td class="tdrp">4.27</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5225</td> + <td class="tdl">Pure Malt, a Liquid Food, a Tonic</td> + <td class="tdrp">9.71</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.00<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_318" id="Page_318">[Pg 318]</a></span> +</td> + </tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5416</td> + <td class="tdl">Pure Malt, a Liquid Food, a Tonic</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.76</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.32</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5619</td> + <td class="tdl">King’s Pure Malt<a name="FNanchor_C_3" id="FNanchor_C_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_C_3" class="fnanchor">[C]</a></td> + <td class="tdrp">9.52</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.60</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5421</td> + <td class="tdl">A Nutritious Tonic, Pure Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.88</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.24</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5226</td> + <td class="tdl">Noris’ Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">11.57</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.94</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5258</td> + <td class="tdl">Noris’ Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">9.31</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.55</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5397</td> + <td class="tdl">Noris’ Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.63</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.24</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5485</td> + <td class="tdl">Noris’ Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.50</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.63</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5620</td> + <td class="tdl">Noris’ Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">12.55</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.90</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5229</td> + <td class="tdl">Pabst Malt Extract, The Best Tonic</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.43</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.16</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5230</td> + <td class="tdl">Hoff’s Malt Extract (Tarrant’s)</td> + <td class="tdrp">11.33</td> + <td class="tdrp">8.88</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5489</td> + <td class="tdl">Hoff’s Malt Extract (Tarrant’s)</td> + <td class="tdrp">12.25</td> + <td class="tdrp">7.17</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5231</td> + <td class="tdl">Johann Hoff’sches Malz-Extract, Gesundheit’s Beir</td> + <td class="tdrp">11.31</td> + <td class="tdrp">4.34</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5491</td> + <td class="tdl">Johann Hoff’sches Malz-Extract, Gesundheit’s Beir</td> + <td class="tdrp">11.02</td> + <td class="tdrp">4.85</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5621</td> + <td class="tdl">Johann Hoff’sches Malz-Extract, Gesundheit’s Beir</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.49</td> + <td class="tdrp">4.50</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5408</td> + <td class="tdl">Johann Hoff’sches Malz-Extract, Gesundheit’s Beir</td> + <td class="tdrp">11.47</td> + <td class="tdrp">4.78</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5340</td> + <td class="tdl">Haffenreffer & Co. Malt Wine</td> + <td class="tdrp">11.02</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.65</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5423</td> + <td class="tdl">Haffenreffer & Co. Malt Wine</td> + <td class="tdrp">11.71</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.63</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl"> </td> + <td class="tdl">Liquid Bread, A Pure Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.78</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.63</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5395</td> + <td class="tdl">Durgin’s Malt, Liquid Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">7.12</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.94</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5433</td> + <td class="tdl">Durgin’s Liquid Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.49</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.55</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5396</td> + <td class="tdl">Wyeth’s Liquid Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">14.80</td> + <td class="tdrp">3.35</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5488</td> + <td class="tdl">Wyeth’s Liquid Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">15.50</td> + <td class="tdrp">2.86</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5622</td> + <td class="tdl">Wyeth’s Liquid Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">15.73</td> + <td class="tdrp">2.35</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5406</td> + <td class="tdl">Wampole’s Concentrated Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">9.84</td> + <td class="tdrp">9.86</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5407</td> + <td class="tdl">Anheuser-Busch’s Malt Nutrine</td> + <td class="tdrp">15.98</td> + <td class="tdrp">3.00</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5600</td> + <td class="tdl">Anheuser-Busch’s Malt Nutrine</td> + <td class="tdrp">15.82</td> + <td class="tdrp">2.25</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5417</td> + <td class="tdl">Malt Extract (Sterilized), John L. Gleeson</td> + <td class="tdrp">7.97</td> + <td class="tdrp">4.71</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5422</td> + <td class="tdl">Malt Extract (Sterilized), Charles C. Hearn</td> + <td class="tdrp">8.58</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.00</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5436</td> + <td class="tdl">Burkhart Brewing Co.’s Malt Extract</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.73</td> + <td class="tdrp">7.01</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5486</td> + <td class="tdl">Menzel’s Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.90</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.24<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_319" id="Page_319">[Pg 319]</a></span></td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5625</td> + <td class="tdl">Menzel’s Extract of Malt</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.75</td> + <td class="tdrp">4.35</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5623</td> + <td class="tdl">King of Malt Tonics, Lion Tonic</td> + <td class="tdrp">10.95</td> + <td class="tdrp">7.05</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5624</td> + <td class="tdl">Teutonic, “A concentrated Extract of Malt and Hops”</td> + <td class="tdrp">9.95</td> + <td class="tdrp">7.45</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5409</td> + <td class="tdl">Van Nostrand’s Old Stout Porter, “a pure malt extract”</td> + <td class="tdrp">7.97</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.55</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5233</td> + <td class="tdl"><a name="Page_319t" id="Page_319t"></a><a href="#Page_319tn">Philadelphia</a> Porter</td> + <td class="tdrp">5.34</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.63</td> + </tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">5232</td> + <td class="tdl">Burke’s Guiness Stout</td> + <td class="tdrp">6.66</td> + <td class="tdrp">7.17</td> + </tr> +</table> +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_C_3" id="Footnote_C_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_C_3"><span class="label">[C]</span></a> The label on King’s Malt states that for a strong, healthy person, with a +good appetite, a pint with each meal and another on retiring at night will not +be too much.</p></div> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>The alcohol in the above table represents the cubic centimeters +of alcohol in a 100 cubic centimeters of the liquid. The solids +are the number of grams of solid extract in each 100 centimeters +of the liquid.</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 50%"> + +<span class="smcap">S. P. Sharples.</span><br /><br /> +</p></div> + +<p>The <i>British Medical Journal</i>, and the <i>British +Medical Temperance Review</i> have been calling attention +to the danger in coca wines. Intemperance +among invalids is said to be greatly on the increase +from the use of these wines. In every case the +basis of these preparations is strongly alcoholic +wine, ranging from 18 to 20 per cent. The coca +added is either the leaves, or liquid extract of coca, +or hydrochlorate of cocaine.</p> + +<p>Dr. Frederic Coley says in the <i>British Medical +Journal</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Coca, and its chief alkaloid, cocaine, are drugs which possess +some power of removing the sense of fatigue, just as analgesics +remove the consciousness of pain. But they no more +remove the physical condition of muscles, and nerve centres, +of which the sense of pain gives us warning, than a dose of +morphine, which removes the pain of toothache, removes the offending +tooth, or even arrests the caries in it. The truth of +this will be obvious to any one who remembers enough of physio<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_320" id="Page_320">[Pg 320]</a></span>logy +to know what fatigue really means. A muscle which is +tired out is different chemically from the same muscle in its +more normal condition, when it is ready to respond vigorously +to ordinary stimuli. It has lost something, and is, besides, overcharged +(poisoned, in fact) with the products of its own activity, +and it can only be restored by a fresh supply of the material +which it requires, and the carrying away of the poisonous waste +products. Fatigue of nerve centres is no doubt strictly analogous +to fatigue of muscles.</p> + +<p>“It is practically impossible for us, by voluntary exertion, to +reach the degree of absolute fatigue, which the physiologist produces +by electric stimulation of a nerve-muscle preparation. +The sense of fatigue becomes so intense that voluntary effort +cannot overcome it. So no man can produce asphyxia by +simply holding his breath, because the <i>besoin de respirer</i> becomes +irresistible; but it is quite possible for a narcotic to so +dull the sensory part of the respiratory reflex mechanism as to +permit asphyxia to take place.</p> + +<p>“The sense of fatigue, and the <i>besoin de respirer</i> are both +Nature’s danger signals. Drugs which hide such signals from +us are a more than doubtful benefit. If it were possible for us +to suppose that a fraction of a grain of cocaine could afford to +exhausted nerve centres, and muscles, the nutriment which they +require for their restoration, and at the same time eliminate the +poisonous waste products, then it would be reasonable to prescribe +the drug for use by all who are overworked, and perhaps +suffering from the malnutrition consequent upon, ‘nervous +dyspepsia,’ as well as mere want of rest.</p> + +<p>“In this go-ahead century it is no wonder that many are but +too ready to experiment with a drug which professes to be able +to remove fatigue, and to enable a man to go on working when, +without its aid, weariness had become unendurable. Cocaine +claims all this; and it is most dangerous just because, for a +time, it seems able to keep its promise. That is how victims to +cocainism are made. Let us be honest with our overworked +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_321" id="Page_321">[Pg 321]</a></span>patients, who want us to help them with drugs; let us tell them +that rest is the only safe remedy for weariness.</p> + +<p>“To combine such a drug as coca, or cocaine, with an alcoholic +stimulant, is to multiply the dangers of cocainism by +those of alcoholism. It would be impossible to find terms sufficiently +severe in which to condemn the recklessness of those +who promiscuously recommend such a compound for all who +are overworked or debilitated. One firm actually has the assurance +to advertise a preparation of this kind as a remedy for +dipsomania. Truly this is casting out devils by Beelzebub, with +a vengeance. Invoking Beelzebub for such a purpose has +never been a success. And I suspect that any form of coca +wine will make a great many more dipsomaniacs than it will +cure.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Walter N. Edwards, F. C. S., says of coca +wines:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“These wines are sold as being useful in an immense variety +of ailments. The following are a few of the many that are +named upon the bottles or in the circulars accompanying +them:—</p> + +<p style="margin-left: 20%"> +“Weakness after illness,<br /> +“Nervous disorders,<br /> +“Sleeplessness,<br /> +“Influenza,<br /> +“Whooping cough,<br /> +“Exhaustion of mind and body,<br /> +“Allays thirst,<br /> +“Restores digestive function,<br /> +“Enables great physical toil to be undergone,<br /> +“Great value in excesses of all kinds,<br /> +“General debility,<br /> +“Prevents colds and chills,<br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_322" id="Page_322">[Pg 322]</a></span>“Makes pure, rich blood,<br /> +“Anæmia,<br /> +“Invaluable after pleurisy, pneumonia, etc.,<br /> +“Aid to the vocal organs.<br /> +</p> + +<p>“This is a fairly respectable list of complaints, and the very +fact that these preparations of coca wine are put forward as a +cure for so wide a range of various complaints is in itself a +condemnation of them.</p> + +<p>“When any particular remedy is said to be of universal +application for a large number of different complaints it may be +looked upon with great suspicion.</p> + +<p>“It must always be remembered that there is the commercial +side to this question. The proprietors have no particular +regard for the welfare of the people; their business is to make +a profit, and many of them gain enormous fortunes. By skilful +and lavish advertisements, and by carefully worded testimonials, +they appeal to the credulity of the public, and often deceive +even those who regard themselves as belonging to the +thinking classes.</p> + +<p>“There are two specific dangers in regard to these wines. +They are ordinary wines, either port or sherry for the most +part, and therefore strongly alcoholic. The user of them is in +considerable danger of cultivating a taste for alcohol, and certainly, +there is the greatest possible danger to any one having +had the appetite, of reviving it.</p> + +<p>“The dose is an elastic one, it can be repeated with considerable +frequency three or four times a day.</p> + +<p>“What would be said of growing girls or youths having recourse +three or four times a day to the wine bottle? This is +exactly what they are doing when coca, and the so-called food +wines are placed in their hands as medicine. They like the +pleasant taste, there is the call of habit and appetite, and so +there arises the greatest possible danger of a general liking for +alcoholic liquors being set up. The ailing man or woman of +set years is in similar danger, for they are having recourse to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_323" id="Page_323">[Pg 323]</a></span>alcohol when their powers of mind and body are to some extent +exhausted, and they are thus less able to resist the fascination +for alcohol that may so quickly be brought into existence.</p> + +<p>“Another element of danger is that the recourse to coca and +kola is an attempt to get more out of the body, and the mind, +than nature intended. Overwork, overstrain, worry, all produce +exhaustion of physical and nervous power. Nature pulls us up +by asserting herself, and we feel run down and seedy, and, perhaps, +quite unwell. What is wanted is rest, proper diet, and +change. These would quickly be restorative, and once again +we should be fit for the duties of life.</p> + +<p>“In a busy age there is the strongest possible temptation to +seek a restorative by some occult method, rather than to give +the rest and refreshment that nature demands. It is upon this +that the whole trade in these so-called restoratives depends.</p> + +<p>“There is no food quality in alcohol, cocaine or kola, +but there is in them all a narcotizing influence that in its lesser +stages is hurtful, and in its greater stages disastrous.</p> + +<p>“The cocaine habit may be cultivated as easily as the alcohol +habit, and the two forms of disease, alcoholism and cocainism, +are by no means rare. The great factor in each of them is the +loss of will power, and when that is accomplished the descent +to complete moral and physical ruin is quite easy.</p> + +<p>“A pure and simple life, in accord with the laws of health +and hygiene, is the panacea both for the maintenance, and the +restoration of health, and that is what we should strive to aim +at, rather than having recourse to drugs that are not only ineffective, +but positively dangerous.”—<i>United Temperance Gazette.</i></p></div> + +<p>In Dr. Milner Fothergill’s <i>Practioners’ Hand-book +of Treatment</i>, fourth edition, the following statement +is made:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Coca wine, and other medicated wines are largely sold to +people who are considered, and consider themselves, to be total +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_324" id="Page_324">[Pg 324]</a></span>abstainers. It is not uncommon to hear the mother of a family +say, ‘I never allow my girls to touch stimulants of any kind, +but I give them each a glass of coca wine at 11 in the morning, +and again at bedtime.’ Originally coca wine was made from +coca leaves, but it is now commonly a solution of the alkaloid, +in a sweet and strongly alcoholic wine. This is really the gist +of the whole matter; coca wine is largely consumed by people +who fondly believe themselves to be total abstainers, and who +are active enough in denouncing those who take a little wine, or +a glass of beer at their meals. The sooner their delusion is +dispelled the better for themselves, and for the unfortunate +children over whom they exercise supervision.”</p></div> + +<p>Another physician tells of seeing a distinguished +ecclesiastical dignitary, a sworn foe of alcohol and +its congeners, giving his young child a generous +daily allowance of one of these wines.</p> + +<p>The user of coca wines runs a double risk—an +alcohol craving may be revived, or created; and, at +the same time, cocainism may be set up, and +nothing but physical, mental and moral ruin follow.</p> + +<p>The <i>British Medical Journal</i> of January 23rd, +1897, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There can be no doubt that in many parts of the world cocaine +inebriety is largely on the increase. The greatest number +of victims is to be found among society women, and among +women who have adopted literature as a profession; and there +is no doubt that a considerable proportion of chronic cocainists +have fallen under the dominion of the drug from a desire to +stimulate their powers of imagination. Others have acquired +that habit quite innocently from taking coca wines. The symptoms +experienced by the victims of the cocaine habit are illusions +of sight and hearing, neuromuscular irritability, and +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_325" id="Page_325">[Pg 325]</a></span>localized anæsthesia. After a time insomnia supervenes, and +the patient displays a curious hesitancy, and an inability to arrive +at a decision on even the most trivial subjects.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. F. Coley says later on in the article before +referred to:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is another combination which, though utterly absurd +from a therapeutical point of view, is not in itself quite so dangerous +as coca wine. It will probably do a larger amount of +mischief, however, because more people take it. I refer to the +various preparations, so largely advertised, which profess to be +compounded of port wine, extract of malt, and extract of meat. +To the medically uneducated public this doubtless seems a most +promising combination: extract of meat for food, extract of +malt to aid digestion, port wine to make blood. Surely the very +thing to strengthen all who are weak, and to hasten the restoration +of convalescents. Unfortunately what the advertisements +say—that this stuff is largely prescribed by medical men—is not +wholly untrue.</p> + +<p>“I do not suppose that any physician of anything like front +rank would make such a mistake. But busy general practitioners +may be excused if they prove to be a bit oblivious of physiology, +and so become attracted by a formula which is more +plausible than sound. In the first place, we all know that extract +of meat is not food at all. From the manner of its production, +it cannot contain an appreciable quantity of proteid +material. It consists mainly of creatin, and creatinin, and salts. +These are, it is needless to say, incapable of acting as food. +Extract of meat, and similar preparations, have their uses however; +made into ‘beef-tea,’ their meaty flavor often enables +patients to take a quantity of bread, which would otherwise be +refused; or lentil flour, or some other matter may be added. +In this way, though not food itself, it becomes a most useful +aid to feeding. It is besides, a harmless stimulant, especially +when taken, as it always should be, hot. It should be needless +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_326" id="Page_326">[Pg 326]</a></span>to add that to combine extract of meat with port wine is simply +to ignore its real use. The only intelligible basis for such an +invention must be the wholly erroneous notion that extract of +meat is a food.”</p></div> + +<p>The prices asked for “secret nostrums” are +said by chemists to be ofttimes far beyond the value +of the materials. Of one article the <i>New Idea</i>, a +druggists’ paper, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It retails at $1.50 per bottle. Such an article could be put +up for less than fifteen cents, including bottle, leaving by no +means a small margin for the profit of its manufacturers.”</p></div> + +<p>The same paper says of a cure for catarrh, +neuralgia, etc. sold in the form of a small ball:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“This cure costs $2.50 per ball. A handsome profit could +be made upon it at 5 cents a ball.”</p></div> + +<p>Some proprietary preparations are not harmful, +but are positively inert. The Mass. State Board of +Health in report of 1896 gives <i>Kaskine</i> as an example +of these. Although sold at a dollar an ounce +it was found to consist of nothing but granulated +sugar of the fine grade used in homeopathic pharmacy, +without any medication or flavoring whatever.</p> + +<p>Dr. Edward Von Adelung in an article in <i>Life +and Health</i>, Dec., 1897, tells of a well advertised +cure for consumption, the analysis of which showed +it to be composed of water, slightly colored by the +addition of a very small quantity of red wine, and +two mineral acids, muriatic and impure sulphuric, +in quantities just sufficient to lend it a taste! He +says:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_327" id="Page_327">[Pg 327]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Fortuitously I had the opportunity of observing the influence +of this remedy on a consumptive who took it regularly, and +who was so enamored of its favorable action that he gave up +his business to conduct an agency for its sale. It was not long +after he had entered upon his new vocation that I received +word of his death, due to pulmonary hemorrhage.”</p></div> + +<p>The “returned missionary” fraud has been exposed +by different druggists’ papers, among them +the <i>New Idea</i>. The “missionary” would advertise +a “free cure,” if people would send to him. The +“cure” would be in the form of a prescription. +There being no drugs in any drugstore bearing the +names given in the prescription, the dupe was expected +to pay an exorbitant price for them to the +philanthropic “missionary.” In one case of this +kind the “medicinal plants brought from South +America, the only place where they grew,” were +upon examination by chemists of the <i>New Idea</i> +found to be ordinary drugs, not one of which +comes from South America.</p> + +<p>The same paper tells of another “South American” +fraud, 60,000 bottles of which were said to be +sold in Detroit in a few weeks, by an itinerating +vendor.</p> + +<p>A certain liver, and kidney, and constipation +cure, sold in the form of herbs, is said by <i>New Idea</i> +to be chiefly couch grass, and senna leaves. Yet +it sells for 25 cents for a small package.</p> + +<p>To this paper the public is also indebted for the +information that a kind of wafer advertised to “cure +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_328" id="Page_328">[Pg 328]</a></span>in a few days all coughs, colds, irritation of the +uvula and tonsils, influenza, bronchitis, asthma, sore +throat, consumption, and all diseases of the lungs +and chest” was found to consist wholly of sugar and +corn starch!</p> + +<p><i>Medical World</i> recently told of the investigation +of “H——” by Prof. John Uri Lloyd of Cincinnati. +It was advertised as a plant discovered by a doctor +traveling in Florida. Its juices were said to be +antidotal to snake poisoning, and would also cure +the opium habit. Prof. Lloyd found it to be a liquid +consisting of a solution of sulphate of morphine +and salicylic acid, in alcohol and glycerine, +with suitable coloring matter.</p> + +<p>Another fraud exposed by <i>New Idea</i> was a +“cure” for the peculiar ills of women. The cure is +put up in the form of little oblong blocks about a +half inch in length.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A circular accompanies them, and is well calculated to produce +alarm in the young. It is another sample of the demoralizing +documents which unscrupulous quacks are continually +circulating among the laity, in order to create alarm, and +profit by this alarm.”</p></div> + +<p>After giving a description of the diseases peculiar +to the sex it is stated that all of these are curable +by using eight dollars worth of this wonderful medicine.</p> + +<p><i>New Idea</i> continues:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The <i>cure</i> consists, according to our examination, of nothing +but flour, made into a paste and allowed to harden in the form +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_329" id="Page_329">[Pg 329]</a></span>of small oblong blocks. Evidently the quack relied upon the +faith-cure principle, and his auxiliary treatment, as set forth in +the rules of living given in the circular.”</p></div> + +<p>While these inert preparations are of the nature +of frauds, they will not injure the health, nor make +drunkards, or opium fiends, as the disguised preparations +of whisky and morphine are likely to do.</p> + +<p>That the use of patent medicines has made many +drunkards is a fact well attested. The American +Association for the Study of Inebriety appointed a +committee several years ago to investigate the various +nostrums advertised especially for the benefit of +alcohol and opium inebriates. The report of this +committee, prepared by Dr. N. Roe Bradner, late +of the Pennsylvania Hospital for the Insane, in +speaking of the marvelous cures advertised in connection +with the use of these mixtures, calls them +“volumes of gilded falsehood, designed for an innocent, +unsuspecting public,” and adds:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The use of such nostrums would do more toward confirming +than eradicating the habit, if it existed, and would invite +and create addiction to an almost hopeless fatality, where the +habit had not previously existed. Insanity, palsy, idiocy, and +many forms of physical, moral and mental ruin have followed +the sale of these nostrums throughout our land.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. E. A. Craighill, President of the Virginia +State Pharmaceutical Association, is quoted in the +July (1897) <i>Journal of Inebriety</i>, as saying:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In my experience I have known of men filling drunkards’ +graves who learned to drink taking some advertised bitters as +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_330" id="Page_330">[Pg 330]</a></span>legitimate medicine. It would be hard to estimate the number +of young brains ruined, and the maturer opium wrecks from +nostrums of this nature. I could write a volume on the mischief +that is being done every day to body, mind and soul, all +over the land, by the thousands of miserable frauds that are being +poured down the throats of not only ignorant people, but, +alas, intelligent ones, too.”</p></div> + +<p>A lady informed the writer recently that her +brother had taken forty bottles of one of these +preparations, and had become a drunkard through it.</p> + +<p>Many seem unaware that the ethics of the medical +profession restrain reputable physicians from advertising +themselves or their remedies, so that these +much-lauded patent medicines are put upon the +market by quacks, never by physicians of good +standing. It is purely a money-making enterprise, +without consideration of the health or destruction +of the people. It is popularly supposed that physicians +decry these things from fear that their sale +will injure regular practice. This is another error +as they increase work for the doctor by aggravating +existing trouble, as well as causing disease where +there was only slight disturbance.</p> + +<p>Dr. F. E. Stewart, Ph. G., of Detroit, Mich., says +in the October, 1897, <i>Life and Health</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Taking all these facts into consideration, it is apparent that +the patent, trade-mark and copyright laws should be so interpreted +and administered by the court that they will secure the +greatest good to the greatest number, and aid in attaining the +end of government, viz., ‘moral, intellectual and physical perfection.’ +It is not the object of these laws to create odious mon<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_331" id="Page_331">[Pg 331]</a></span>opolies, +to throw a mantle of protection over fraud, to enable +quacks and charlatans to encroach on the domain of legitimate +medical and pharmacal practice, or to support an advertising +business designed to mislead the public in regard to the nature +and value of medicines as curative agents. The morals of the +community are injured by some of this advertising, intellectual +vigor is impaired by the use of many things advertised, and +physical, as well as moral, degradation frequently results. Crime +is often inculcated—even the crime of murder, that the nostrum +manufacturer may profit thereby. Cures for incurable diseases +are promised, and guaranteed. Every scheme that human and +devilish ingenuity can devise to wring money from its victim is +resorted to, which can be employed without actually bringing +the advertisers into court. All this wicked quackery parades +under the guise of ‘patent’ medicines, and asks the protection +of our courts. It is time for the medical and pharmaceutic professions +to unite, and unmask this monster, and show the public +its true nature. And this can be accomplished in no better way +than through a study of the object of the laws which the secret +nostrum manufacturers are now endeavoring to prostitute for +their own advantage, and the teaching of the public what these +laws were enacted for.</p> + +<p>“The secret nostrum business in some of its phases has assiduously +found its way into the medical arts, and physicians, +pharmacists, and manufacturing houses, seem to have forgotten, +to a certain extent, the obligations which they owe to the public. +Medicine, in all its departments, must be practiced in accord +with scientific, and professional requirement, or it will sink to +the level of a commercial business. <i>The end of medical practice +is service to suffering humanity, not the acquisition of +money.</i> Money making is a necessary part of the practice of +medical arts, not, however, its chief object. This fact must be +kept in view always. Once lost sight of, and trade competition +substituted for competition in serving the interests of the sick, +medical and pharmacal practice will become an ignoble scrabble +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_332" id="Page_332">[Pg 332]</a></span>for wealth, in which the sick become victims of avarice and +greed. Better set free a pack of ravening wolves in a community +than to change the end of medical practice to a commercial +one, for physicians and pharmacists would soon degenerate +into quacks and charlatans, and take shameful advantage of +the community for gain.”</p></div> + +<p>Where Dr. Stewart speaks of murder he probably +refers to the sale of <i>abortofacients</i>.</p> + +<p>Dr. Roe Bradner, of Philadelphia, in his report +upon alleged cures for drunkenness before the Society +for the Study of Inebriety several years ago, +said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“There is a certain other class of so-called remedies, prepared +sometimes by physicians and pharmacists, that do a great +deal of harm. I allude to the ‘non-secret proprietaries’ that +claim to publish their formulas, <i>but do not</i>. One in particular +has made thousands, and likely tens of thousands, of <i>chloral +drunkards</i>, dethroned the reason of as many more, besides +having killed outright very many. It is impossible for any one +to estimate the mischief that is being done by such remedies, +and the physicians who recommend them.”</p></div> + +<p>Advertising is still the great hindrance in protecting +the people from medical imposters. Professor +E. W. Ladd, Pure Food Commissioner of North +Dakota, says on this point:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“These patent medicines, some of which are of merit, and +others are only ‘dopes,’ or preparations intended to defraud +the public, have been altogether too generally advertised and +sold to the public. In many ways it seems a deplorable fact +that by an unfair method of advertising the American people +have come to be consumers to such an extent of a class +of medicines, which, at times, are positively detrimental to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_333" id="Page_333">[Pg 333]</a></span>health. In other instances the continued use of the product +is liable to result in the formation of a drug habit which +may lead to serious consequences.</p> + +<p>“It should not be understood that this department condemns +the use of legitimate proprietary or patent medicines, +but it insists that there is a need for wiping out of existence +about half of the products now generally sold, and with regard +to the others the public have a right to know what is +contained in them, and not be misled by false statements, or +by statements so cunningly worded as to positively mislead +the unwary reader. * * * In view of the fact that about 90 +per cent. of the nostrums on the market are sold by newspaper +and magazine advertising and not by the customer +seeing the package, it would seem advisable to amend the +law so as to cover this point.”</p></div> + +<p>There is no doubt that it is the advertising which +makes the patent medicine business so tremendously +profitable. One firm boasted, prior to the exposure +of the fraud nature of their preparation, that they +spent $5,000 a day in advertising. What must have +been made on the nostrum to allow such expenditure? +It is said on good authority that the cost of these nostrums +does not exceed fifteen to sixteen cents a bottle, +and they sell for a dollar a bottle. Such profits make +it easy to buy up newspapers that are conscienceless +as to the robbery of the unfortunate sick.</p> + +<p>The only effectual way of putting an end to the +sale of nostrums is to make illegal the advertising of +such preparations in the public press. Norway has +safeguarded her people thus. The difficulty in gaining +such a law in America will be the opposition of the +newspapers, the large majority of which still cling to +this selfish method of adding to their gains. Even the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_334" id="Page_334">[Pg 334]</a></span>so-called religious press is not all clean yet in this +respect. Once they could be excused because of lack +of knowledge. Now there is no excuse.</p> + +<p>During the debate in Congress upon the patent-medicine +clause of the Pure Food Bill, Senator Heyburn +said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I have always been aggressively against the advertisements +of nostrums. Some time ago a friend of mine, a +very old fellow, that I had taken a special interest in securing +a pension for, had reached the age and condition of dependency. +I succeeded in getting him a comfortable pension +that would pay his bills for household provisions. Once, +when I found he was very poor, I said to his wife, ‘What are +you doing with your pension?’ She said, ‘Don’t you know, +Mr. Heyburn, that it takes at least one-half of that pension +for patent medicine?’ Then she enumerated the patent medicines +they were taking. It was being suggested to them +through advertisements that they were the victims of ills +that they were not troubled with, and that they could find +relief through these different medicines.</p> + +<p>“I am in favor of stopping the advertisements of these nostrums +in every paper in the country.”</p></div> + +<p>It may well be asked, Would any one of these well-to-do +newspaper owners entrust himself, or any of +his family, in time of sickness to the cure-all imposters +whose nostrums they advertise? If one of their +children had anæmia would they rely on Pink Pills +for a cure? If they had a genuine catarrh would they +expect it to be cured by Peruna? Never! They +would seek the very best medical advice obtainable. +Yet, for the ignorant, credulous, sick and suffering +poor they allow traps to be laid to rob of both money +and such chances of recovery as might come from +proper medical attendance.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_335" id="Page_335">[Pg 335]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XIV" id="CHAPTER_XIV"></a>CHAPTER XIV.</h2> + +<h3>“DRUGGING.”</h3> + + +<p>The main reason why so many people use patent +medicines is the popular supposition that drugs +cure disease. This is a great error. <i>Drugs never +cure disease.</i> Nature alone has power to heal. +There are agents, which in the hands of a trained +and painstaking physician may assist nature, but +the physician needs to understand something of the +idiosyncrasies of his patient’s system, or the use of +these agents may do great harm instead of good. +Those medical men who have made the most diligent +study of health and disease assert as their +deliberate opinion that excessive professional drugging +has been decidedly destructive of human life.</p> + +<p>Dr. Jacob Bigelow, professor in the medical +department of Harvard University, in a work +published a few years ago stated as his belief that +the unbiased opinion of most medical men of sound +judgment, and long experience, is that the amount +of death and disaster in the world would be less, if +all diseases were left to themselves, than it now is +under the multiform, reckless, and contradictory +modes of practice, with which practitioners of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_336" id="Page_336">[Pg 336]</a></span>diverse denominations carry on their differences, at +the expense of the patient.</p> + +<p>Sir John Forbes, M. D., F. R. S., said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Some patients get well with the aid of medicine, more +without it, and still more in spite of it.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Bostwick, author of <i>The History of Medicine</i>, +said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Every dose of medicine given is a blind experiment upon +the vitality of the patient.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. James Johnson, editor of the <i>Medico-Chirurgical +Review</i>, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I declare as my conscientious conviction founded on long +experience and reflection, that if there were not a single physician, +surgeon, man-midwife, chemist, apothecary, druggist +nor drug on the face of the earth, there would be less sickness +and less mortality than now prevail.”</p></div> + +<p>Prof. J. W. Carson, of the New York College of +Physicians and Surgeons, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“We do not know whether our patients recover because we +give them medicine, or because nature cures them. Perhaps +bread-pills would cure as many as medicine.”</p></div> + +<p>Prof. Alonzo Clark, of the same college, has +said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In their zeal to do good physicians have done much harm; +they have hurried many to the grave who would have recovered +if left to nature.”</p></div> + +<p>Prof. Martin Paine, of the New York University +Medical College, said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Drug medicines do but cure one disease by producing +another.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_337" id="Page_337">[Pg 337]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Marshall Hall, F. R. S.:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Thousands are annually slaughtered in the quiet sick-room.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Adam Smith:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The chief cause of quackery <i>outside</i> the profession is the +<i>real</i> quackery <i>in</i> the profession.”</p></div> + +<p>Prof. Gilman:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The things that are administered for the cure of <i>scarlet +fever</i> and <i>measles</i> kill far more than those diseases kill.”</p></div> + +<p>Prof. Barker, of New York Medical College:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The drugs that are administered for the cure of <i>scarlet +fever</i> kill far more patients than the disease does.”</p></div> + +<p>Prof. Parker:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“As we place more confidence in nature, and less in preparations +of the apothecary, mortality diminishes.”</p></div> + +<p>The examining physician of a large insurance +company in New York said to a <i>Mercury</i> reporter:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The primary cause of so many cases of <i>la grippe</i> in this +and other cities is the almost universal habit of drug taking +from the milder tonics to patent medicines. Whenever the +average man or woman feels depressed or slightly ill, resort is +made at once to medicine, more or less strong. If they would +try to find out the cause of the trouble, and seek to obviate it +by regulating their mode of living, the general health of the +community would be better. The drug habit tends continually +to lower the tone of the system. The more it is indulged in +the more apparent becomes the necessity of continuing the +downhill course. The majority of persons do not look beyond +the fact that they seem to feel better after the use of a stimulating +drug, or patent medicine. This feeling comes from a be<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_338" id="Page_338">[Pg 338]</a></span>numbing +action of the drug, because it has no uplifting action. +With the system in such a weakened state, the microbes of the +disease find excellent ground to grow.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. J. H. Kellogg says in the April, 1899, <i>Bulletin +of the A. M. T. A.</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Every drug capable of producing an artificial exhilaration of +spirits, a pleasure which is not the result of the natural play of +the vital functions, is necessarily mischievous in its tendencies, +and its use is intemperance, whether its name be alcohol, tobacco, +opium, cocaine, coca, kola, hashish, Siberian mushroom, +caffeine, betel-nuts, maté or any other of the score or more +enslaving drugs known to pharmacology. As the result of the +depression which follows the unnatural elevation of sensation +resulting from the use of one of these drugs, the second application +finds the subject on a little lower level than the first, so +that an increased dose is necessary to produce the same intensity +of pleasure or the same degree of artificial felicity as the +first. The larger dose is followed by still greater depression +which demands a still larger dose as its antidote, and thus there +is started a series of ever-increasing doses, and ever-increasing +baneful after-affects, which work the ultimate ruin of the drug +victim. All drugs which enslave are alike in this regard, however +much they may differ otherwise in their physiological effects. +Alcohol is universally recognized as only one member of +a large family of intoxicating drugs, each of which is capable +of producing specific functional and organic mischief, besides +the vital deterioration common to the use of so-called felicity-producing +drugs.</p> + +<p>“Is it not evident, then, that in combating the use of alcohol +we are attacking only one member of a numerous family of +enemies to human life and happiness, every one of which must +be exterminated before the evil of intemperance will be up-rooted?”</p></div> + +<p>Among the most popular drugs for self-prescrip<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_339" id="Page_339">[Pg 339]</a></span>tion +at the present time are the coal-tar products. +Of these Dr. N. S. Davis has said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Only a few years since, the profession were taught to regard +the degree of pyrexia, or heat, as the chief element of +danger in all the acute general diseases. Consequently, to control +the pyrexia became the leading object of treatment; and +whatever would do this promptly, and at the same time allay +pain and promote rest, found favor at the bedside of the patient.</p> + +<p>“It was soon ascertained that antipyrin, antifebrin, phenacetin +and other analogous products, if given in sufficient doses, would +reduce the heat, and allay the pains with great certainty and +promptness, not only in continued fevers, but also in rheumatism, +influenza, or la grippe, etc.; and thus their use soon became +popular with both the profession and the public. No one, +however, undertook to first ascertain by strictly scientific +appliances the actual pathological processes causing the pyrexia +in each form of disease, or even to determine whether in any +given case the increased heat was the result of increased heat +production, or diminished heat dissipation. Neither were any +of the remedies subjected to such experimental investigation as +to determine their influence on the elements of the blood, the +internal distribution of oxygen, the metabolism of the tissues, +or on the activity of the eliminations. Consequently their +exhibition was wholly empirical, and the one that subdued the +pyrexia most promptly was given the preference. Yet we all +know that the pyrexia invariably returned as soon as the effects +of each dose were exhausted, and in a few years the results +showed that while the antipyretics served to keep down the +pyrexia, and give each case the appearance of doing well, the +average duration of the cases, and their mortality, were both increased.</p> + +<p>“Step by step experimental therapeutic investigations have +proved that the whole class of coal-tar antipyretics reduce ani<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_340" id="Page_340">[Pg 340]</a></span>mal +heat by impairing the capacity of the hemoglobin and corpuscular +elements of the blood to receive and distribute free +oxygen, and thereby reduce temperature by diminishing heat +production, nerve sensibility and tissue metabolism. Therefore, +while each dose temporarily reduces the fever, it retards +the most important physiological processes on which the living +system depends for resisting the effects of toxic agents; namely, +oxidation and elimination. This not only encourages the retention +of toxic agents and natural excretory materials by which +specific fevers are protracted, but it greatly increases the number +of cases of pneumonia that complicate the epidemic influenza, +or la grippe, as it has occurred since 1888-89.</p> + +<p>“The bad work that people make in dosing themselves with +patent medicines, without a physician’s prescription is not unfrequently +punctuated with a sudden death from overdosing +with antipyrin, sulphonal, or some other coal-tar preparation.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. C. H. Shepard, Brooklyn, N. Y., says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Quinine is a most fatal drug. Of course, it is the orthodox +treatment for malarial conditions, but quinine never did nor +never can cure malaria or any other disease. The action +brought about by its use is simply to benumb the nervous +activity and interfere with the natural action of the system to +throw off the poison, which is expressed by the chill. Because +of this interference with the manifestation or symptom of the +disease, many imagine that the disease is being cured, but +there never was a greater mistake. A drug disease is added to +the original disease. This is shown by the invariable depression +that follows the administration of the drug, and the length +of time required to recuperate, which imperils restoration, and +sometimes hastens the final results. This is ordinarily met by +the use of what are called stimulants, that is, more drugs, and the +last state is worst than the first; the poor patient is thus made +the victim of a triple wrong, which only a most vigorous consti<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_341" id="Page_341">[Pg 341]</a></span>tution +can pass through and live, and even then he is crippled +and made more liable to whatever disease may come along +ever afterward.</p> + +<p>“Disease is not entity to be killed by a shot from a professional +gun, but a condition, an effort of outraged nature to free +itself from an incumbrance, and should be aided rather than +hindered by the administration of any nerve irritant. There +never will come a time when the laws of health can be evaded. +Nor is there any vicarious atonement. The full penalty of disobedience +will invariably be exacted. The hunt for a panacea is +as sure to be disappointing in the future as it has been in the +past.”</p></div> + +<p>A writer in the <i>Brooklyn Citizen</i> says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Few people are aware of the extent of a peculiar kind of +dissipation known as ginger-drinking. The article used is the +essence of ginger, such as is put up in the several proprietary +preparations known to the trade, or the alcohol extract ordinarily +sold over the druggist’s counter. Having once acquired a liking +for it, the victim becomes as much a slave to his appetite as the +opium eater or the votary of cocaine. In its effect it is much +the most injurious of all such practices, for in the course of +time it destroys the coating of the stomach, and dooms its victim +to a slow and agonizing death.</p> + +<p>“The druggist who told me about the thing says that as +ginger essence contains about one hundred per cent. alcohol, +and whisky less than fifty per cent., the former is therefore +twice as intoxicating. In fact, this is the reason why it is used +by hardened old topers whose stomachs are no longer capable +of intoxicating stimulation from whisky. They need the more +powerful agency of the pure alcohol in the ginger extract. He +told me that he had two regular customers, one a woman, who +had ginger on several occasions for stomachic pains. The relief +it afforded her was so grateful that she took it upon any +recurrence of her trouble. She found, too, that the slight ex<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_342" id="Page_342">[Pg 342]</a></span>hilaration +of the alcohol banished mental depression. In this +way she got to using it regularly, and finally to such excess +that she was often grossly intoxicated. Large doses produce a +quiet stupor; additional doses induce a profound lethargic +slumber, which lasts in some cases for twenty-four hours. His +other customer was a peddler, who came at a certain hour +every morning, bought a four-ounce bottle and drank its contents +by noon. The man craved the stuff so ardently that he +was unable to go about his business until he set the machinery +of his stomach in operation, and started the circulation of the +blood by means of the fiery draught. He says that the habit +is well known to the drug trade.”</p> + +<p>“The morphia habit, the cocaine habit, the chloral habit, and +other poison habits which are prevalent in this and other +countries, are only different manifestations of a wide-spread +and apparently increasing love for drugs which benumb or excite +the nerves, which seems to characterize our modern civilization. +Indeed, there appears to be, at the present time, +almost a mania for the discovery of some new nerve-tickle, or +some novel means of fuddling the senses. It is indeed high +time that the medical profession raised, with one accord, its +voice in solemn protest against the use of all nerve-obtunding +and felicity-producing drugs, which are all, without exception, +toxic agents, working mischief and only mischief in the human +body.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. H. Kellogg.</span></p></div> + +<p>Much discussion upon careless drug-taking has +resulted from remarks made recently in London by +Sir Frederick Treves, the King’s surgeon, at the opening +of a hospital. He said that the time is fast +approaching when physicians will give very little medicine, +but will instead teach the people right methods +of living so that sickness may be avoided.</p> + +<p>Although there are some physicians who appear to +enjoy the old routine of giving heroic doses of ill-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_343" id="Page_343">[Pg 343]</a></span>tasting +liquids, there are others who agree with Sir +Frederick, and admit that they would often be glad +to give no medicine if their patients would be satisfied +without it. But the great mass of people are unwilling +to take a physician’s advice as to proper clothing, +suitable diet, and regular habits of living. They do not +seek his advice upon those points; what they want is a +drug that will benumb uneasy sensations while they +live as they please.</p> + +<p>Not long ago a business man of intelligence was +heard to complain because he had tried several physicians +and all had failed to cure his sciatica. He said +they all told him he must live differently; several said +he must quit smoking and lay aside wine and beer +or he could not be cured. With scorn he said, “What +are physicians good for if they don’t know a drug +that will cure as simple a thing as rheumatism?” He +could not and would not believe that rheumatism might +be the result of his wrong habits.</p> + +<p>Akin to him in thought is a woman, much above the +average in intelligence, who a few months ago had an +operation performed upon her stomach. The stomach +was enlarged so that the food did not pass through the +pylorus, the opening into the intestines. The operation +consisted in making a new opening and connecting +it with an intestine. This bright woman now complains +that the operation was not a success, because she +still has times of great distress with indigestion. Upon +being asked what she eats, she laughed and said, +“Everything, peanuts, mince-pie, sauer-kraut, frankforts; +whatever is going. I have a vigorous appetite, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_344" id="Page_344">[Pg 344]</a></span>and keep peanuts and figs in my room, for I often +have to eat in the night.”</p> + +<p>Until multitudes of people like that business man, +and that bright woman, are educated in matters of +health, it will not be easy for physicians to bring Sir +Frederick’s prediction to fulfilment.</p> + +<p>The popular supposition is that drugs <i>cure</i> disease, +and all that the medical adviser is for is to choose the +drug that will produce the desired effect with the greatest +speed. Consequently the physician is in many +cases driven to prescribe drugs that simply allay pain +without removing the cause of the pain. He cannot +remove the cause without the patient’s co-operation, +and as that would require the abandonment of wrong +habits few are willing to accept health at such a price. +What man will abandon beer to escape rheumatism, +or smoking to save his eyesight if he has weakness +there? Or, what woman will cease tea-drinking if she +has neuralgia?</p> + +<p>The <i>Journal of the American Medical Association</i> +for November 16, 1907, contained an editorial article +in which, after reference to drugs necessary in the +practice of a physician or surgeon, this is said:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The remark of Holmes years ago that it would be better +for the patients, but worse for the fish, if most of the drugs +were thrown into the sea, is probably even more true to-day. +The vast majority of these drugs have not the slightest excuse +for existence.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. T. D. Crothers, in his valuable book upon Morphinism +and other drug addictions, reports a case of +murder where it was shown that the assailant was +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_345" id="Page_345">[Pg 345]</a></span>delirious from large doses of quinine. He says assaults +are often clearly traced to the drug taking of +the assailant. A surgeon from a New York hospital, +in speaking of drug habits before an audience at Chautauqua, +New York, said that some of the ovarian +difficulties which demand operations are the result of +over-dosing with quinine.</p> + +<p>There are people who keep morphine in the house +all the time lest some little pain or ache should find +them unprepared.</p> + +<p>Dr. Crothers, who has perhaps made more of a +study of the evil results of drug taking than any other +man in America, says of this:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Morphine as a common remedy, taken for pains and aches, +may suddenly develop into an incurable craze for its continuous +use. * * * The early relief which morphine brings +to the sufferer is often the beginning of an unknown journey +ending in disease and death.”</p></div> + +<p>Cases are on record where morphine given to mothers +soon after the birth of children to allay pain, has +resulted in the death of the infant, the morphine having +poisoned the milk.</p> + +<p>Cocaine is possibly the most insidious of all drugs +yet known. Few of those who become enslaved to it +ever are able to lay it aside. It leads to hallucinations +of sight and hearing. Many persons have become enslaved +to cocaine unwittingly through its use in catarrh +snuffs, asthma “cures,” and other proprietary preparations, +the composition of which was secret. Some +states now have strict laws regulating the sale of this +dangerous drug.</p> + +<p>It is not only the enslaving drugs which are injuri<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_346" id="Page_346">[Pg 346]</a></span>ous +to the body, but even such apparently simple agents +as liver pills and pills for the relief of constipation +may do more harm than good if resorted to frequently. +Some of the ingredients used in the pills for the relief +of constipation are said to be injurious to the liver.</p> + +<p>Dr. Nathan S. Davis, late dean of the Northwestern +University Medical School, Chicago, said of the coal-tar +remedies, such as phenacetin and antipyrin, in +the treatment of influenza and <i>la grippe</i>:—“While +each dose temporarily reduces the fever it retards the +most important physiological processes on which the +living system depends for resisting the effects of toxic +agents, namely, oxidation and elimination. This not +only encourages the retention of poisonous agents by +which fevers are protracted, but it greatly increases +the number of cases of pneumonia that complicate +<i>la grippe</i>. The bad work that people make in dosing +themselves with patent medicines is not infrequently +punctuated with a sudden death from overdosing with +antipyrin, sulphonal, or some other coal-tar preparation.”</p> + +<p>Deaths from acetanilid are becoming more and more +frequent. The presence of acetanilid in headache +powders “guaranteed to be harmless” and thrown +upon the door-steps as samples has led many persons +into grave danger, and not a few to death. Bromo-Seltzer, +Orangeine, Antikamnia, Taylor’s Headache +Powders, and various other preparations have all +contained this drug.</p> + +<p>The use of cocaine is advancing rapidly in this<a name="TNanchor_1" id="TNanchor_1"></a><a href="#TN_1">[TN]</a> +country. The following article is taken from <i>The +Banner of Gold</i>, of Feb., 1899:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_347" id="Page_347">[Pg 347]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="center"> +<table border="0" summary="Cocaine imports." style="width: 60%;"> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">“Value of cocaine leaves imported at the port of New York in 1894</td> + <td class="tdr">$14,284</td> +</tr> + + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Imported in 1897</td> + <td class="tdr">54,122</td> +</tr> + <tr> + <td class="tdl">Indicated value of imports for 1898</td> + <td class="tdr">75,000</td> +</tr> +</table> +</div> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In these simple figures are contained the elements of a +warning sermon that would startle all America. We seem to +be rapidly becoming a nation of cocaine fiends. If the number +of those addicted to the use of the dreadful drug continues to +increase at the present rate, the importation of what was originally +regarded as a blessed alleviation of pain, will have to be +classed with opium, and its use prohibited by law, except for +medicinal purposes.</p> + +<p>“At present the cocaine fiend can purchase the drug without +trouble, and the ease with which it is taken is a fatal recommendation +to those who crave a nerve-deadener. No laborious +cooking of pills over a lamp, cleaning of implements, or troublesome +necessity for secrecy, as with the use of opium. Cocaine +can be taken at any time, with scarcely any trouble, and without +a soul besides the user being aware of his being in the toils.</p> + +<p>“At first, that is. It will not be long before every intimate +friend will observe a change, a gradual and scarcely perceptible +change, come over the appearance and general conduct of the +cocaine fiend.</p> + +<p>“Begun in many cases in a legitimate way, as an anæsthetic, +the surprisingly pleasant effect is sought for again by the one +who has had a glimpse at the portals of the elysium. This is +the beginning of the terrible habit. The effect is a sense of exhilaration +followed by a quiet, dreamy state that causes the +worried man to forget his troubles, and the sufferer his pain. +Once this freedom from physical and mental sickness has been +experienced, the cocaine fiend will rob or kill to get the drug. +Enforced non-use of it will not cure the victim. Sentence him +to a term of imprisonment, and he will go straight from the jail +door to the nearest drug store to secure cocaine before he eats +or sleeps.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_348" id="Page_348">[Pg 348]</a></span></p> +<p>“From an occasional use of the drug to insatiable craving is +the rational course of the cocaine fiend. From thence to the +insane asylum and the grave is a swift and easy descent.</p> + +<p>“In his fall from health to physical and mental disintegration, +the cocaine fiend undergoes a terrible experience. When not +in the temporary heaven that the drug provides, the victim is in +the lowest depths of an <i>inferno</i>. He suffers from insomnia, +anorexia, and gastralgic pains, dyspepsia, chronic palpitations, +and will-paresis. He is a terror both to himself and others. +The life of the man is a living death. He knows it, and with +this knowledge staring him in the face, he rushes for the drug, +and is happy for a brief period under its influence.</p> + +<p>“It is time something was done to keep from this high-strung +nation a drug so deadly. Clear-minded medical men +have recommended its exclusion from the country, believing +that its use medicinally should be foregone rather than that such +a cursed temptation should be placed in the way of weak humanity.</p> + +<p>“What the real action of the drug is, and how to counteract +its influence, are at present puzzling questions to the medical +fraternity. A leading member of the profession to whom these +questions were put replied after careful consideration as follows: +<a name="Page_348t" id="Page_348t"></a><a href="#Page_348tn">‘Its</a> physiological action is practically unknown. As an analgesic, +it is uniform in its action, and this is due to the suspension +of the physiological functions of the sensory cells which it +comes in contact with. Beyond this, it is an excitant of the +cerebro-spinal axis, later it has a peculiar action on the encephalon, +manifest in a wide range of psychical phenomena. Beyond +this a great variety of widely variable symptoms appear. In +some cases all the intellectual faculties are excited to the highest +degree. In others a profound lowering of the senses and +functional activities occur. Morphine-takers can use large +quantities of cocaine without any bad symptoms. Alcoholics +are also able to bear large doses. Not unfrequently the excitement +caused by cocaine goes on to convulsions, and death. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_349" id="Page_349">[Pg 349]</a></span>Sometimes its action is localized to one part of the cerebro-spinal +axis, and then to another. In some cases well-marked +cerebral anæmia appears, and for a time is alarming, but soon +passes away.</p> + +<p>“Small doses frequently given are more readily absorbed +than large doses. Habitues always use weak solutions, the +effects being more pleasing with less excitation. Morphine and +alcoholic inebriates very soon acquire certain tolerance to large +doses taken at once. The cocaine user takes large quantities, +but in small doses frequently repeated. He becomes frightened +at the effects of large doses, and when he cannot get the +effects from small (to him safe) doses, he resorts to alcohol, +morphine, or chloral. In many cases memories of the delusions +and hallucinations are so vivid and distressing that other narcotics +are used to prevent their recurrence. In other cases the +recollection is very confused and vague, and strong suspicions +fill the mind that the real condition is grossly exaggerated by +the friends for some deterring effect. In common with opium +and alcoholics, there is moral paralysis, untruthfulness, and low +cunning in order to conceal and explain the condition by other +than the real causes.”</p></div> + +<p>Hoffman Drops are used considerably as a heart +stimulant. They are much more intoxicating than +whisky, and, used as a beverage, make the drinker +crazy while under their influence. According to +Dr. F. E. Jones, of Mass. Board of Health, they +consist of 325 parts ether, 650 parts alcohol, and 25 +parts ether oil. They are said to have a very bad +effect upon the kidneys.</p> + +<p><i>The Banner of Gold</i> for Oct., 1898, contained a +lengthy article upon the dangers of drugging, from +which an extract is given here:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Philanthropists, when trying to stay the hand of rum, do +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_350" id="Page_350">[Pg 350]</a></span>not overlook the victims of drugs. If you will go, under the +protecting ægis of an officer, to an opium den, such as are to +be found in every large city, and as a visitor view for yourself +the degradation of hopeless opium users, then train your +batteries towards removal of the cause. Do not depend upon +preaching, or the writing of essays, or the delivery of an address +before some society whose mission ends in telling others what +to do, but put on the armor of earnestness, go into the nursery, +and demand of the mother to know why, when little lumps +of human clay are placed in her keeping for the sacred purpose +of moulding them into men and women, she deliberately feeds +the prattling babe with soothing syrups, sleeping drops, paregoric, +and opiates in various other forms, rather than with the +healthful food, and simple remedies, that nature only requires. +With such commercial nostrums the thoughtless mother too +often paves the way for her offspring to a life of toxic-slavery +by creating a systemic condition, which, in maturer years, +develops an abnormal craving, or appetite, for narcotics and +stimulants. Follow this little victim of nursery malpractice +through the imitative age, and you will discover in him the +cigarette smoker, the tippler, the self-abased youth, and later, +the man whose life is shadowed with the curse of baneful +appetite.</p> + +<p>“Ask the druggist, and the saloon keeper, why they dispense +deadly poisons so freely to old and young, and they will tell you +the law permits it; a sad commentary!</p> + +<p>“Converted men relapse into evil ways through coquetting +with sin; and cured inebriates relapse to drink, and drugs, +through the use of proprietary medicines, with which the domestic +market is flooded. Tonics, compounds, nerve remedies, bitters, +vitalizers, appetizers, balsams, pectorals and kindred nostrums +contain, with few exceptions, from 7 to 50 per cent. of alcohol, +or opium in varying quantities, each preponderating in kind, +as the effect is designed to be stimulating, or sedative. The active +principle of some of the best known catarrh remedies is co<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_351" id="Page_351">[Pg 351]</a></span>caine, +and a few manufacturers are honest enough to so announce +on the labels covering their goods; more do not, and leave the +victims to discover the truth after they have paid the penalty of +ignorance, and developed the cocaine habit. Wholesale legislation, +as well as vigorous education, is needed along these lines, +and while considering means of betterment, the reputable citizen, +the clergyman, and others of good moral repute, whose +names are so generally used to herald the efficacy of so-called remedial +inventions, should not be overlooked for ethical attention.</p> + +<p>“For the information of those of our readers, who are not familiar +with the nature and use of toxic drugs, we here refer +briefly to the prominent characteristics of a few most dangerously +potent for evil, and seductive in kind.</p> + +<p>OPIUM AND MORPHINE:—“Gum opium, the dried milky exudate +from the green capsules of the white poppy, and its product—morphine—are +the most reliable drugs known for the relief +of pain. The dose of gum opium in medicine is from ¼ to 1 +grain. It contains from 8 to 14 per cent. of morphine, which +is its principal alkaloid. Opium is a much more stable, and +stronger, sedative than morphine. The cumulative effect of +repeated medicinal doses is frequently observed, and is followed +by dangerous symptoms. It is both a sedative and hypnotic, +and, if given in large doses, quiets the brain, and excites the +spinal cord. Small doses have little perceptible effect upon the +circulation, but, under the influence of large doses, the pulse is +retarded, and the respiration becomes fuller, deeper, and slower. +In poisonous doses the pulse may become rapid, and great depression +follow, the respiratory centres are paralyzed, thus causing +death. If taken in from 2 to 4 grain doses it produces deep +comatose sleep, full breathing, full pulse, dry skin, and contracted +pupils. If the dose is sufficiently large, the sleep will be +more profound, the patient can hardly be roused, and if awakened +quickly, he sinks back into slumber. The face may be +swollen, and reddened, and the lips deeply tinged with blue. At +this stage the breathing may be characterized as puffing. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_352" id="Page_352">[Pg 352]</a></span>Respiration may be from 8 to 10 per minute, perhaps be reduced +to 4, 2 or 1, and as the toxic effect is more marked, it becomes +shallow, the pupils are contracted, and the patient is so +thoroughly narcotized that nothing will arouse him, the heart +ceases to beat, and he dies by respiratory failure, or paralysis of +the pneumogastric nerve.</p> + +<p>“Morphine, extracted from gum opium by a slow and expensive +process, is used much less in proprietary medicines than +is tincture of opium, which is more easily manufactured.</p> + +<p>“A medicinal dose of sulphate of morphine is from ⅛ to ¼ of +a grain. One grain is a dangerous dose, and 2 grains are +liable to prove fatal. Morphine is a true narcotic. It is a sedative, +lessens tissue change, and weakens every function of the +body.</p> + +<p>TINCTURE OF OPIUM, OR LAUDANUM:—“Laudanum, or the +tincture of opium, is a mixture of gum opium with alcohol and +water, the solution consisting of equal parts of alcohol and +water. Each ounce contains 5½ grains of powdered gum +opium and half an ounce of alcohol, and is equal in alcoholic +strength to one ounce of strong whisky. The ordinary medical +dose is from 12 to 15 minims, or from 25 to 30 drops. It is +much used as a domestic remedy for pain from any cause, such +as ear or toothache, indigestion, insomnia, summer complaints +with children or adults, and is often used in poultices over painful +sores or swellings. It is also used in many medicines for +throat and lung troubles, in nearly all medicines for painful +chronic diseases, and in many of the well advertised spring +tonics, as well as in nearly all the compounds that are offered +for sale for blood troubles, or as alteratives. The opium in +laudanum acts the same as morphine, or any other of the thirty +preparations of opium, officially recognized by the medical +profession.</p> + +<p>PAREGORIC:—“Paregoric of standard grade is half alcohol, +which is as strong of alcohol as high proof whisky. It contains +a little opium, some benzoic acid, oil of anise, and camphor. The +dose is from 15 to 60 drops.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_353" id="Page_353">[Pg 353]</a></span></p> +<p>COCAINE:—“Cocaine is an alkaloid of coca leaves, and is used +in medicine in the form of hydro-chlorate. It is used locally in +powder or solution to relieve pain. It is a strong local anæsthetic. +The ordinary dose when used as medicine is from ¼ to +½ grain, and is very unstable and treacherous in its effects. +Some patients will tolerate large doses while in others small +doses produce unpleasant effects. Deaths are recorded from +the use of 1-7 to 1 grain.</p> + +<p>CHLOROFORM:—“Chloroform is an anæsthetic, and death is +often caused by a few inhalations. The dose internally is from +3 to 20 minims. It is not much used in medicine, except to +control pain, and produce sleep. It is inhaled to produce mild +slumber, or complete insensibility in surgical operations. Death +may come suddenly, and without warning, at any time during its +administration.</p> + +<p>CHLORAL:—“Chloral, or hydrate of chloral, is an hypnotic. It +is of but little value in medicine, except to control nervousness, +and produce sleep. The dose is from 15 to 30 grains. It +should be administered with caution, and only by the physician. +It is made by passing chlorine gas through pure alcohol, and +gets its name from the first syllables of the two words, chlorine +and alcohol. It produces death by inhibition of the heart’s +action, and by paralyzing the pneumogastric nerve.</p> + +<p>BROMIDIA:—“Bromidia is the trademark of an hypnotic, the +manufacturers of which give out to the public that each fluid +drachm contains 15 grains of chloral hydrate, or 1 ounce to +every 4 ounces of bromidia.</p> + +<p>SULPHONAL:—“Sulphonal is a coal tar preparation, and is +valuable in medicine as an hypnotic only. An ordinary dose to +produce sleep is from 10 to 40 grains. If it is given in these +doses for several days in succession it produces great weariness, +an unsteady gait, and may involve paralysis of the lower limbs, +with great disturbance of digestion, and scanty secretion of urine +of about the color of port wine. There are a number of cases +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_354" id="Page_354">[Pg 354]</a></span>of death reported as resulting from acute, or chronic poisoning, +by sulphonal.</p> + +<p>PHENACETINE:—“Phenacetine is a product of coal tar, and an +antipyretic, a drug that lessens the temperature in high fevers, +and rapidly disintegrates the blood.</p> + +<p>ANTIFEBRIN:—“Antifebrin, another of the coal tar preparations, +is the registered name for acetanelid. Its effects are very +similar to the effects of phenacetine, and it is used in fevers for +lessening the temperature, and for neuralgic pains. The medicinal +dose is from 3 to 10 grains. Unpleasant effects follow its +continued use, such as great exhaustion, blueness of the lips, +and a slow, labored pulse.</p> + +<p>HEADACHE REMEDIES:—“The indiscriminate use of the +many coal tar products and other hypnotics, such as sulphonal, +phenacetine, antifebrin, chloral, bromidia, etc., under the guise +of headache remedies is productive of much disaster, all being +nerve paralyzants.”</p></div> + +<p>The public owe a debt of gratitude to those +physicians, and chemists, who give freely such valuable +information as to the real nature and effects of +dangerous drugs. While it is true that the popular +belief in drugging is due to professional practice, +yet it is also true that what the people know of the +preservation of health, and of the danger of alcohol +and other drugs is largely owing to the medical profession. +There is as much difference among the +members of the medical profession as there is +among the members of any profession; some are +careless, selfish, unprincipled, unobservant of the effects +of various medicines; while others are anxious +to teach the people how to avoid sickness, and gain +strength. It is the latter class who warn against +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_355" id="Page_355">[Pg 355]</a></span>the self prescription of drugs, especially those of the +dangerously seductive, narcotic class.</p> + +<p>Yet, with all the warnings, few pay heed. Even +highly educated, intelligent people seem possessed +of a blind faith in the power of drugs. Every little +ache or pain must have its sedative, be the future +penalty what it may.</p> + +<p>Were people to quit drugging themselves, avoid +indigestible viands, eat at regular hours, chew well, +stop eating when they have had enough, take a sufficiency +of exercise, sleep and fresh air, with a hot +bath once a week, and a cold “towel bath” each +morning, laying aside all alcoholic beverages, tea +and coffee, and tobacco, there would be very little +sickness in the world. Over-eating leads to the drug +habit for relief from uneasy sensations, so does improper +food, or poorly cooked food.</p> + +<p>It should be remembered that it is not possible +to violate the laws which relate to the physical well-being, +and then escape the natural penalty of +transgression by swallowing a few doses of medicine. +Remedies may postpone the results of physical +transgression, and may even seem to prevent them +altogether, but careful observation will show that +the escape from punishment is only apparent. +Sometimes a parent escapes, while his child pays +the penalty of his transgression, in a weakly nervous +system, which may lead to insanity, or other +trouble.</p> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_356" id="Page_356">[Pg 356]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XV" id="CHAPTER_XV"></a>CHAPTER XV.</h2> + +<h3>TESTIMONIES OF PHYSICIANS AGAINST ALCOHOLIC +MEDICATION.</h3> + + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In abandoning the use of alcohol it should be clearly understood +that we abandon an injurious influence, and escape from +a source of disease, as we do when we get into a purer atmosphere. +<i>There is not the slightest occasion to do anything, or +to take anything to make up for the loss of a strengthening or +supporting agent.</i> No loss has been incurred save the loss of +a cause of disease and death.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. J. Ridge</span>, of London +Temperance Hospital.</p></div> + +<p>Sir. B. W. Richardson, M. D., said of the London +Temperance Hospital:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“No alcohol is administered, and no substitute for it. Any +drug with similar action would be bad; warmth and suitable +nourishment are relied on to keep up the system. We know +that people who take alcohol often feel better; this is from the +narcotic action. The pain may be stilled, and the disease forgotten, +but it has not been removed; its symptom has been +narcotized.”</p></div> + +<p>Another writer says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I am asked for a substitute for brandy, and frankly and +gladly I tell you there is no substitute, for I have no knowledge +of any agent equally pleasing to the palate, and yet so destructive +of life.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_357" id="Page_357">[Pg 357]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Norman Kerr, President of the Society for +the Study of Inebriety, England, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“My own experience of thirty-four years in the practice of +my profession has taught me that in nearly all cases and kinds of +disease the medical use of alcohol is unnecessary, and in a large +number of instances is prejudicial and even dangerous. Having +given an intoxicant, in strictly definite and guarded doses, +probably on the whole only about once in 3,000 cases (then +usually when nothing else was available in an emergency), and +having had most varieties of disease to contend with, my death-rate +and duration of illness have been quite as low as my neighbors. +The experience of the London Temperance Hospital and +other similar institutions, the current reports of that hospital +being now reliable scientific records, amply support this experience.</p> + +<p>“The chief peril of narcotic drugs has always appeared to +me to lie in their disguising the real state of the patient from +himself as well as from his doctor and his friends. If there is +any serious ailment, such as cholera or fever, the sufferer may +seem to be and may feel better. He is not better. He is +actually worse—made worse by the alcohol, and not unseldom, +after the evanescent alcoholic disguise and deceptive improvement +has faded, it is found that the malady itself has been progressing, +unseen and unsuspected from the delusive aspect of +the alcohol, steadily toward a fatal termination, which might, in +many cases, have been averted but for the true state of the patient +having been completely masked.</p> + +<p>“Wherever the blame really has lain, one thing is now clear, +that alcoholic intoxicants are very rarely useful as a medicine; +are at the best dangerous remedies; and that, other things being +equal, the less they are resorted to the better for the chances +of the patient’s recovery, the better for body and brain, the better +for physical, intellectual and moral well-being. Alcohol +does not nourish, but pulls down; does not stimulate, but de<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_358" id="Page_358">[Pg 358]</a></span>presses; +does not strengthen, but excites and exhausts. Alcohol +is the pathological fraud of frauds, degenerating while it +claims to be reconstructing, enfeebling while it appears to be +invigorating, destroying vitality while it professes to infuse new +life.”</p></div> + +<p>A medical writer in the Toledo, O., <i>Blade</i> holds +up in clear light the relation of the <i>materia medica</i> +and alcohol, and the opportunity of the physician to +become a benefactor, and active temperance worker. +His remarks follow:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“One of the signs of the times in the temperance movement +is the steady growth among physicians of a sentiment against +the administration of liquor of any kind as a medicine. The +accepted scientific view of alcohol is that it is a poison, and its +administration should be as guarded as that of any other +poison used as a medicine. Perhaps the hardest thing a +physician finds in his effort to restore his patients to health +without the use of liquors is the common, but erroneous, belief +that they are ‘strengthening,’ and that the convalescent, by +their use, reaches recovery more quickly. The error is in supposing +that any alcoholic liquor is nourishing, or strengthening. +They are neither. Alcohol does not nourish, but it pulls +down; it does not strengthen, but excites and exhausts, for +every stimulation is necessarily followed by a period of depression, +and this is inevitably unfavorable to the patient.</p> + +<p>“There is a grave responsibility resting on the physician +who prescribes alcoholic liquor. It may arouse in a susceptible +patient a dormant, inherited tendency to drink. He may, +by authorizing its use during the period of convalescence, fix a +habit upon a patient of feeble will, which the latter will never be +able to shake off. No physician who realizes this great moral +responsibility will be willing to accept it habitually. He certainly +knows that the best medical authorities agree that +alcoholic intoxicants are rarely useful as a medicine; that at +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_359" id="Page_359">[Pg 359]</a></span>best they are dangerous remedies, and that the less they are +resorted to, the better for both brain and body.</p> + +<p>“In point of fact the physician who does his duty to his +patient teaches him the error of the prevalent belief in the +virtues of liquor in restoring the sick to health. He becomes +an active temperance worker in effect. And he can do a +noble and useful work in the rescue of those who are under +the control of the drink habit. * * * * *</p> + +<p>“Furthermore, every physician owes it to his profession to +teach his patients the utter fallacy of the common belief that +alcohol is an article of food value. It has no such value. +The use of intoxicants in any quantity whatever, or at any +time, is entirely useless and unnecessary. The continued use +of them gradually induces structural degradations and functional +derangements of the great bodily organs, thus leading +to the gravest physical disorders.”</p> + +<p>“I have demonstrated by actual experience that no form of +alcoholic drink is necessary, or desirable, for internal use, either +in health, or any of the varied forms of disease; but that health +can be better preserved, and disease more successfully treated, +without the use of such drinks.* * * * * Simple truth compels +me to say that I have never yet seen a case in which the use of +alcoholic drinks either increased the force of the heart’s action, +or strengthened the patient. But I could detail very many +cases in which the administration of alcoholics was quieting the +patient’s restlessness, enfeebling the capillary circulation, and +steadily favoring increased engorgement of the lungs and other +internal viscera, and thereby hastening a fatal result, where +both attending physician and friends thought they were the +only agents that were keeping the patient alive.</p> + +<p>“I have found no case of disease and no emergency arising +from accident, that I could not treat more successfully without +any form of fermented or distilled liquors than with. It is easy +to see that the anæsthetic properties of alcohol can be made +available by an intelligent and skillful physician to meet a very +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_360" id="Page_360">[Pg 360]</a></span>limited number of indications in the treatment of some cases +that will come before him. But the same intelligence and skill +will enable him to select other remedies capable of meeting the +same indications more perfectly, and, with less tendency to +secondary bad effects. I have no hesitation, therefore, in stating +that for the attainment of the highest degree of success in +the management of all forms of disease, whether acute or +chronic, we need no form of fermented, or distilled, alcoholic +drinks. And whoever will boldly make the trial, will find that +his patients, of every kind, will make better progress, on good +air and simple nourishment, without any admixture of alcoholic +liquids, than they will with such addition. In other words he +will find that the supposed benefits of this class of agents in +medicine, are as illusory as they are in general society, and that +the words of the wise man are worthy of careful consideration +when he says: ‘Wine is a mocker and strong drink is raging, +and whosoever is <i>deceived</i> thereby is not wise.’”—<span class="smcap">Dr. N. S. +Davis</span>, Chicago, Ill.</p> + +<p>“Dr. <a name="Page_360t" id="Page_360t"></a><a href="#Page_360tn">Hirschfeld</a>, a well-known physician of Magdeburg, +Germany, was recently arrested on a charge of malpractice. +The specific charge was that he had refused to give alcohol to +one of his patients who was supposed to need it. The doctor, +like the more advanced German physicians, is discarding liquor +from his practice, and made such a hot defence to the charge +that the court not only discharged the physician, but assessed +the cost of the defense against the prosecution.”—<i>Bulletin of +A. M. T. A.</i></p></div> + +<p>Dr. Greene, of Boston, when addressing his brethren +and sisters of the medical association in that +city, upon alcohol, said in closing:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It needs no argument to convince you that it is upon the +medical profession, to a very great extent, that the rum-seller +depends to maintain the respectability of the traffic. It requires +only your own experience, and observations, to convince +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_361" id="Page_361">[Pg 361]</a></span>you that it is upon the medical profession, upon their prescriptions +and recommendations for its use upon many occasions, +that the habitual dram-drinker depends for the seeming +respectability of his drinking habits. It is upon the members +of the medical profession, and the exceptional laws which it has +always demanded, that the whole liquor fraternity depends, +more than upon anything else, to screen it from <a name="Page_361t" id="Page_361t"></a><a href="#Page_361tn">opprobrium</a>, +and just punishment for the evils which the traffic entails upon +society; and it is because the rum-seller, and the rum-drinker, +hide under this cloak of seeming respectability that they are so +difficult to reach either by moral suasion, or by law. Physicians +generally have only to overcome the force of habit, and the prevailing +fashion in medicine, to find an excellent way, when they +will all look back with wonder and surprise, that they, as individuals, +and members of an honored profession, should have +been so far compromised.”</p> + +<p>“It will be asked, <i>Was there no evidence of any good service +rendered by the agent in the midst of so much obvious bad +service?</i> I answer to that question <span class="smcap">that there was no +such evidence whatever, and is none</span>.”—<span class="smcap">Sir B. W. +Richardson.</span></p> + +<p>“A prominent general practitioner expressed surprise that +any one could do without alcohol in general medicine. He was +persuaded to make a trial, by abandoning the internal use of +spirits as medicine. A year afterward he wrote that his success +in the treatment of disease had been equal to that of any year +in the past, and that his cases recovered as well without alcohol +as with it. In a recent medical meeting he remarked, ‘I +thought for many years that I could not do without spirits as +medicine. I was mistaken. I am constantly treating cases of +all degrees of severity without alcohol, and my success is fully +equal to the average.’”—<i>Quarterly of A. M. T. A.</i></p> + +<p>“Happily, the belief in alcohol is passing away.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. C. R. +Francis</span>, late Professor of Medicine, Calcutta Medical College.</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_362" id="Page_362">[Pg 362]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. Moor, the distinguished editor of the <i>Pacific +Record</i>, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“While the use of alcohol is always injudicious and injurious, +it is particularly so in summer, when the system is predisposed +to disturbances of the gastro-intestinal tract.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol flushes the capillaries of the mucous membranes +just as it does the capillaries of the skin, and where there is already +a smouldering congestion, it will take but little to light +the fire of acute inflammation, which will rage with greatly increased +intensity.</p> + +<p>“It is wiser to habitually avoid even the medicinal use of alcohol, +as there are plenty of other stimulants which will give +the desired results without entailing any disastrous after effects.”</p> + +<p>“All the pleasant sensations of increased mental and physical +power, which the use of alcohol produces, are deceptive and +arise from the paralysis of the judgment and the momentary +benumbing of the sense of fatigue which afterwards returns so +imperiously with perhaps even greater intensity.”—<span class="smcap">Prof. +Adolf Fick</span>, of Wurzburg.</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Frank Payne, vice-president of the London +Pathological Society, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Alcohol is a functional and tissue poison, and there is no +proper or necessary use for it as a medicine.”</p> + +<p>“When I first heard that there was going to be a total abstinence +hospital, I thought it would be a complete failure. That +was because I had been taught as a student to regard alcohol as +absolutely necessary in the treatment of disease. Nevertheless +I was an abstainer myself. When I was asked to join as physician, +I did not consent without a good deal of consideration, and +then only on the understanding that if I thought a person needed +it, I should be allowed to administer alcohol. I remember +the first case of severe typhoid fever I had. He was hovering +between life and death, and I was anxiously watching to see +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_363" id="Page_363">[Pg 363]</a></span>whether it would be necessary to give alcohol, but the man +made a good recovery without it. After watching many cases +to whom I should have given alcohol if I had been treating +them elsewhere, I came to the conclusion that I had been completely +deluded. I gave it at one time to a woman in the +Hospital who was in a dying condition, but it did not save her. +I do not think I am likely to administer alcohol again. We +have had progress and efficiency in the Hospital. It has been +like an experiment for the profession, and our success shows +that this giving of alcohol is certainly a matter for re-consideration +for the medical profession. I believe that they are mistaken. +There is no doubt that the amount of alcohol used in +other hospitals has diminished greatly, compared with what +was used in the past. To the outside public also this Hospital +is an example. I believe that an immense number of the public +have been teetotalers some time in their lives, but a great many +of them have gone back to the drink in time of illness, because +they have been advised to do so. This Hospital is a +standing witness that disease and surgical injuries can +be treated without alcoholic liquors.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. J. Ridge</span>, of +London Temperance Hospital.</p> + +<p>“I find very little use for alcohol in the practice of medicine. +Where there is one element of good in alcohol there +are thousands that are bad.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Alfred Mercer</span>, Syracuse, +N. Y., Professor of Medicine in Syracuse Medical School.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol is rarely necessary. Other remedies are much +more efficacious. In my department of the University of +Buffalo I follow Cushny, who claims that alcohol is a poison, +a depressant in direct proportion to the amount ingested, and +a so-called false food.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. De Witt H. Sherman</span>, Adjunct +Professor of Therapeutics, University of Buffalo Medical +Department.</p> + +<p>“I believe that alcohol is the greatest foe to the human +race to-day. I feel that it would not be a serious harm if its +use as a medicine were totally discontinued.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Walter E. +Fernald</span>, Professor in Tufts Medical School, Boston, Mass.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_364" id="Page_364">[Pg 364]</a></span></p> +<p>“I rarely or never prescribe alcohol as a medicament or a +food, or sanction its use as a beverage. Physiologically I look +upon alcohol as a narcotic, with perhaps a primary stimulating +effect, but I believe that such desired action as it is capable +of producing can be equally well brought about by other +agents. As a beverage the use of alcohol, particularly in excess, +is attended with definite and well-known dangers.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +A. A. Eshner</span>, Professor of Clinical Medicine, Philadelphia +Polyclinic and College for Graduates in Medicine.</p> + +<p>“I agree with you altogether in your agitation against the +use of alcohol in any form. I believe that wine is a mocker, +and belief in wine as a benefit, mockery.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Matthew +Woods</span>, Philadelphia, Pa.</p> + +<p>“It is extremely seldom that I ever advise the use of alcohol +in any form for my patients.”—<span class="smcap">Elliott P. Joslin, M. D.</span>, +Professor in Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.</p> + +<p>“My belief is that there is very little need of the medical +use of alcohol. I almost never use it in my practice, and +think that its use by practitioners generally is far less than it +was a few years ago.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. E. G. Cutler</span>, Professor in Harvard +Medical School, Boston, Mass.</p> + +<p>“I believe that the trend of teaching in the Harvard Medical +School has been growing less favorable, of late years, to +the use of alcohol in the treatment of disease, and in fact it +is far less used than it was a generation ago.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. James J. +Putnam</span>, Professor in Harvard Medical School.</p> + +<p>“My personal opinion in regard to the use of alcoholic +drinks is very decidedly averse to such use. I have long +been of the opinion that while the use of alcohol may restrain +tissue metamorphosis, it cannot legitimately be considered +a food.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. William O. Stillman</span>, Albany Medical +College, Albany, N. Y.</p> + +<p>“I do not think you will meet with very many physicians +who favor alcohol and its use. I believe the trend of the +teaching in the Albany Medical College is that alcohol is not +a food or stimulant.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. A. Vander Veer</span>, Albany, N. Y., +Medical School.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_365" id="Page_365">[Pg 365]</a></span></p> +<p>“I think the medical profession could get along perfectly +well without the use of alcohol, except as it is needed in the +manufacture of drugs. As a therapeutic agent, it has very +little value. I do not suppose I have used a pint of alcohol +in the last ten years. I think the tendency of the medical +profession throughout the country is to give up alcohol in +the treatment of disease.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Matthew D. Mann</span>, Dean of +the Medical Department of the University of Buffalo, N. Y.</p> + +<p>“I very seldom prescribe alcohol as a medicine, and think +its effects are positively harmful in the vast majority of medical +cases.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Allen A. Jones</span>, Adjunct Professor of Medicine, +Buffalo, N. Y.</p> + +<p>“At the Baptist Hospital I have not ordered alcohol for a +patient in several years. At the Massachusetts General Hospital, +in the out-patient department, I never prescribe it.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +Richard Badger</span>, of Harvard Medical School, Boston.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol is used much too freely in the treatment of the +sick, especially in such conditions as mild typhoid fever, neurasthenia +and early tuberculosis. It should be prescribed only +when there is definite indication for it, and then in definite +dose for a limited period in the same manner as any other +powerful and potentially harmful drug.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. S. S. Cohen</span>, +Jefferson Medical College, Philadelphia.</p> + +<p>“It is seldom necessary to prescribe alcohol as a medicine.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +James B. Herrick</span>, Professor of Medicine in +Rush Medical College, Chicago.</p> + +<p>“As I have said but little about the use of medicine in the +treatment of typhoid fever, save for one symptom, I may +add, for the purpose of definiteness, that I use none except +for special symptoms. The rare exceptions are stimulants +such as strychnia, in less marked indications coffee. Alcohol +as a routine drug I have entirely abandoned, having found +that the doses formerly given before or after the bath are +altogether unnecessary. Hot milk internally, or hot water +bags externally, more than replace spirits according to my +experience.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. George Dock</span>, New Orleans.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_366" id="Page_366">[Pg 366]</a></span></p> +<p>“I have no use for alcohol, either personally, or in my practice. +Yet I cannot say that I have entirely abolished it. Alcohol +is used in compounding most of our tinctures, but in remedies +proper my experience has been that other stimulants, +such as ammonia, strychnine, caffeine, kolafra, etc., answer the +same purpose without alcohol’s dangerous effects. In my practice, +which is confined to surgery, I find very, very little use for +it. During the past year, in extreme cases, I used it in hypodermic +injections, and afterwards felt that ether, or ammonia +would have answered the same purpose. I think, in general +practice, physicians are dispensing with alcohol more and more, +but perhaps unconsciously.”—<span class="smcap">D. W. B. De Garmo</span>, Professor +of surgery in Post-Graduate Hospital, New York City.</p> + +<p>“Medicine, to-day, would be in a more satisfactory condition +if the use of alcohol as a medicine had been interdicted a +hundred years ago, and the interdict had remained to the +present day. The benefits derived from its use are so small +(even when they can be proved, which is much more rarely the +case than most people imagine), and the advantages gained are +so slight, that they are completely outweighed when we set +against them the evil that has been wrought by the abuse of +alcohol, and that has arisen out of the loose methods of prescription +that have obtained, and even still obtain, in regard to +this drug.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. G. Sims Woodhead</span>, F. R. C. P., F. R. S., +Director of the Research Laboratories of the Royal College of +Physicians and Surgeons, London.</p> + +<p>“The effect of continually dosing with this drug is too +apparent wherever it is used, benumbing the senses, and rendering +more difficult every natural function. Alcohol never +sustains the powers of life. It sometimes changes the symptoms +of disease, but at the expense of the vitality of the body. +What is called its supporting action, is a fever induced by the +poison, which finally prostrates the patient. The secret of its +action is found in the laws of vitality. The man who takes +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_367" id="Page_367">[Pg 367]</a></span>alcohol to help digest his food, must first throw off the alcohol, +before his stomach can act healthfully.</p> + +<p>“There is one encouraging fact to be noted in this connection, +that the use of alcohol in medicine has very much diminished +during the past twenty-five years, and the present +tendency is constantly in that direction. Right here is an +important point which I wish to make: When the physician +ceases to prescribe alcohol as a medicine, the drink problem +will have reached the final stage of its solution. Mankind will +eventually learn that safety lies not so much in skillful doctors, +or in some wonderful ‘new remedy,’ as in daily obedience to +the laws of health. A small amount of prevention is of more +worth than all the power of cure.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. C. H. Shepard</span>, +Brooklyn, N. Y.</p> + +<p>“My observation has been that there is a decided tendency +among educated physicians to give less alcohol than formerly +in the treatment of disease. Of late years I have given but very +little alcohol in my own practice. The tendency is due, in +my opinion, to the study of the physiological action of drugs, +and to the better understanding of the causation of disease and +pathological processes. Modern investigators now know that +we have therapeutic agents that meet the requirements of +disease processes with more scientific accuracy than is obtained +by the exhibition of alcohol.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Donnelly</span>, Secretary of +Minnesota State Medical Society, St. Paul, Minn.</p> + +<p>“Dr. Pearce Gould recently made a speech to the National +Temperance League on alcohol and the advantage of doing +without it, both in health and in the treatment of disease. It +takes a strong man to say the strong things which Mr. Gould +said on the subject, especially if he happens to be a medical +man. No doubt, as Dr. Gould says, the use of alcohol in +medical practice is nothing now compared to what it was +twenty years ago, much more forty years ago, when Dr. +Todd’s influence, and the reaction from the so-called antiphlogistic +treatment were at their height. Public opinion has been +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_368" id="Page_368">[Pg 368]</a></span>enlightened by the evidence of leaders in medicine, such as Dr. +Parkes, Sir William Gull, Dr. Gairdner, Dr. Sanderson, and +others, and medical men have dared to treat disease without +alcohol, or with only small quantities of it. There are physicians +and surgeons of reputation and success, who are so +strong in their convictions that alcohol is of little use in the +treatment of disease, that it destroys tissues, lessens the +resistance to microbes, deranges functions, spoils temper, and +shortens life, that they are ready to testify to this effect in +public, in company with redoubtable champions of the temperance +cause like the Archbishop of Canterbury, Sir William +White (chief constructor of the navy), and the Bishop of +Derry, who have as much prejudice to contend against in their +spheres as the medical man has in his. We recognize with +pleasure the good done by such testimony as Dr. Gould’s. +Men whose record and authority in the profession are such as +his have the courage of their opinions, and their honest testimony +will be respected even by those who do not go quite so +far in discarding alcohol as an element of diet, or as a medicine.”—<i>The +Lancet</i>, London, May 14, 1898.</p> + +<p>“The light of exact investigation has shown that the therapeutic +value of alcohol rests on an insecure basis, and it is +constantly being made clearer that after all alcohol is a sort +of poison to be handled with the same care and circumspection +as other agents capable of producing noxious and deadly +effect upon the organism. It has been shown by Abbott and +others that alcoholic animals are more susceptible to infections +than normal animals. And Laitinen, after having studied +the influence of alcohol upon infections with anthrax, +tubercle and diphtheria bacilli in dogs, rabbits, guinea-pigs +and pigeons, reaches the same general results with certainty +and directness. Under all circumstances alcohol causes a +marked increase in susceptibility no matter whether given +before or after infections, no matter whether the doses were +few and massive or numerous and small, and no matter +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_369" id="Page_369">[Pg 369]</a></span>whether the infection was acute or chronic. The alcoholic +animals either die while the controls remain alive, or in case +both die, death is earlier in the alcoholic. The facts brought +out by the researches of Abbott and Laitinen and others do +not furnish the slightest support for the use of alcohol in the +treatment of infectious diseases in man.”—<i>Journal American +Medical Association, Editorial, September 8, 1900.</i></p> + +<p>“Step by step the progress of science has nullified every +theory on which the physician administers alcohol. Every +position taken has been disapproved. Alcohol is not a food +and does not nourish, but impairs nutrition. It is not a stimulant +in the proper acceptation of the term; on the contrary +it is a depressant. Hence its former universal use in cases +of shock was, to say the least, a grave mistake. It has been +proved by recent experiments that alcohol retards, perverts, +and is destructive either in large or small doses to normal +cell growth and development.”—<span class="smcap">Nathan S. Davis, Sr.</span>, M.D., +former Dean of Northwestern University Medical School, +Chicago, Illinois. (Deceased.)</p> + +<p>“It seems to me that the field of usefulness of alcohol in +therapeutics is extremely limited and possibly does not exist +at all. Probably every supposed indication for its use can be +met better and more safely by other drugs. The recent work +on the so-called food value of alcohol is the subject of much +misunderstanding. While it is true that under some circumstances, +for example, after a person has acquired a certain +degree of tolerance to its poisonous effects, alcohol seems to +act as a food in the sense that fats and carbohydrates do, I +believe this to be at present a matter of little more than theoretical +importance.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Reid Hunt</span>, Chief of the Department +of Pharmacology, Public Health and Marine Hospital +Service, Washington, D.C.</p> + +<p>“The physician should have blazoned before him, ‘If you +can do no good, do no harm.’ If this rule is adhered to, in +ninety-nine cases out of one hundred the physician will give +no alcohol. In the medical wards of the Pennsylvania Hospital +I have found that in acute as well as chronic disease +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_370" id="Page_370">[Pg 370]</a></span>we can do without alcohol. It does harm rather than good. +Alcohol masks the symptoms of disease, so that we cannot +know the patient’s real condition.”—<span class="smcap">J. H. Musser</span>, M. D., +Philadelphia, Pa., Ex-President American Medical Association.</p> + +<p>“It is time alcohol was banished from the medical armamentarium; +whisky has killed thousands where it cured one.”—<span class="smcap">J. +H. McCormack</span>, M. D., Secretary Kentucky Board of +Health, and Organizer for the American Medical Association.</p> + +<p>“I very rarely use alcohol in my practice. I think that its +use is never essential. Physicians are using it less and less +in the treatment of disease owing to the recognition that it is +a narcotic, not a stimulant, and that other narcotics are usually +better when a narcotic is required.”—<span class="smcap">Richard C. Cabot</span>, +M. D., Professor of Clinical Medicine, Harvard Medical +School, Boston, Mass.</p> + +<p>“My position has been that alcohol should be prescribed +with as much care as to indications and circumspection as to +dose and method as in the use of any other drug that in +health would prove harmful, as morphine, belladonna, aconite, +quinine, etc. I believe strongly that in pneumonia, typhoid +fever, and tuberculosis especially, the indiscriminate use +of alcohol in the past has caused an incalculable amount of +distress and needless disaster to suffering humanity.”—<span class="smcap">Howard +S. Anders</span>, M. D., Professor of Physical Diagnosis, Medico-Chirurgical +College, Philadelphia, Pa.</p> + +<p>“I do not think alcohol of any value in the treatment of +disease; formerly it was used a great deal in the hospital +wards, and ‘liquor slips’ were daily signed. Now, I never +order liquor in any quantity, and at times for weeks I have +not signed a single slip ordering liquor.”—<span class="smcap">Henry Jackson</span>, +M. D., Professor in Harvard Medical School.</p> + +<p>“In the overwhelming majority of cases I am in entire +sympathy with the movement to abolish the routine use of +alcoholics from medicine, and I rarely advise such in my +practice.”—<span class="smcap">Edward R. Baldwin</span>, M. D., Saranac Lake Sanitarium, +New York.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_371" id="Page_371">[Pg 371]</a></span></p> +<p>“I seldom prescribe alcohol.”—<span class="smcap">George Blumer</span>, M. D., +Yale Medical School, New Haven, Conn.</p> + +<p>“<span class="smcap">Whereas</span>, The study of alcohol from a scientific standpoint +has demonstrated that its action is deceptive, and that +it does not have the medical properties that we once claimed +for it; now, therefore, be it</p> + +<p>“<i>Resolved</i>, By the West Virginia State Medical Association, +That we deplore the fact that our profession has been +quoted so long as claiming for it virtues which it does not +possess, and that we earnestly pledge ourselves to discourage +the use of it, both in and out of the sick room.”—<i>Resolution +passed at annual meeting May, 1908.</i></p> + +<p>“I have been actively engaged in the practice of medicine +for nearly twenty-five years, in the early portion of which I +prescribed alcoholics moderately but yet with considerable +frequency. For the past ten years I have been finding professionally +less place for alcoholics of any sort in my practise, +and for perhaps three years I have scarcely ever prescribed +them. I am satisfied that my cases of pneumonia +and typhoid come through in better condition without anything +alcoholic, even wines, and I no longer prescribe these +at all in cases of tuberculosis. I have noted also that among +my professional associates of the thinking rather than of +the automatic type, the medicinal use of alcohol is rapidly +lessening.”—<span class="smcap">C. G. Hickey</span>, M. D., Lecturer on Medicine, Denver +and Gross College of Medicine, Denver, Colorado.</p> + +<p>“In the thirteen years I have taught in Michigan I have +not used alcohol in the treatment of disease in a routine way. +Even alcoholic preparations, such as tinctures, have been used +in very rare instances. I have occasion to speak on this subject +every year to about two hundred students. My reasons +for taking this stand are chiefly medical, though I am heartily +in sympathy with the ethical and moral phases of the temperance +movement.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. George Dock</span>, formerly Professor +of Medicine, University of Michigan Medical College, now of +Tulane University, New Orleans.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol is distinctly a poison, and the limitation of its use +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_372" id="Page_372">[Pg 372]</a></span>should be as strict as that of any other kind of poison. It +is not an appetizer, and even in small quantities it hinders +digestion. The use of alcohol is emphatically diminishing in +hospital practise.”—<span class="smcap">Sir Frederick Treves</span>, Surgeon to King +Edward.</p> + +<p>“If during the last quarter of a century I have prescribed +almost no alcohol in the treatment of disease, it is because I +have found very little reason for its use, and it seemed to me +that my patients got on better without it.”—<span class="smcap">Sir James Barr</span>, +Dean of the Medical School of Liverpool University.</p> + +<p>“With the increase of medical knowledge and with the +increase of medical observation, it is shown every year that +the value of alcohol as a drug has been enormously overestimated. +It is a very poor agent, and only in common use +because it is so easily obtained. The medical profession is +using it less and less, because they appreciate it now at its +true value. Personally I never order it, because I believe +patients recover better without it.”—<span class="smcap">Sir Victor Horsley</span>, Surgeon +to London Hospital.</p> + +<p>“The same care and discrimination should be given to the +prescribing of alcohol as to the most deadly drug with which +we have to deal. In looking at the report of Radcliffe Infirmary +for the past month I see that in dealing with twenty-five +cases I ordered alcohol costing exactly 1¾ pence.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +William Collier</span>, President British Medical Association, 1904.</p> + +<p>“In England at present the use of large doses of alcohol +seems to have greatly gone out of hospital practise, and opinion +is certainly growing that not even small doses are required. +Diseases of the stomach, liver, heart, and kidneys +have appeared to me, in my practise, to be much more satisfactorily +treated without beer, wines, or spirits.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. C. R. +Drysdale</span>, Consulting Physician to the Metropolitan Hospital, +London.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol is a functional and tissue poison, and there is no +proper or necessary use for it as medicine.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Frank +Payne</span>, Vice-President London Pathological Society.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_373" id="Page_373">[Pg 373]</a></span></p> +<p>“Of scarlet fever I have treated some 2,000 cases. I have +never seen a case in which, in my opinion, alcohol was necessary; +no case in which its administration was beneficial; but +I have seen more than one case in which its action was directly +injurious. * * * Alcohol in no case averts a fatal issue +where such is impending. * * * The facts are dead +against alcohol. In hospitals there has been an increase of +300 per cent. in the use of milk, and a decline of 47 per cent. +in the use of alcohol. Progress in treatment of disease has +gone hand in hand with disuse of alcohol. The use of alcohol +formerly was the outcome of ignorance, a confession of +weakness and defeat; to-day it is the expression of inability +to discard the fetters of an outworn routine.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. C. Knox +Bond</span>, in Medical Times.</p> + +<p>“For many years I have dispensed almost entirely with alcohol +as an aid in surgical treatment. As a student I saw it +used, almost as a matter of routine, for every kind of surgical +malady except head injuries, and in my early years I naturally +followed the practise of my teachers; but as soon as +I made trial for myself of the effect of withholding alcohol, +I found how entirely overrated its value was, and how gravely +mistaken had been the teaching. It is commonly held, I believe, +that alcoholic stimulants are of especial value in all +forms of septic inflammation, such as erysipelas, pyæmia, +septicæmia, and hectic fever. I believe that this belief is +founded solely upon tradition unsupported by any trustworthy +evidence, and untested by experiment or experience.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +A. Pearce Gould</span>, F. R. C. S., Surgeon to the Middlesex Hospital, +London.</p> + +<p>“I have not prescribed alcohol to my patients for more +than ten years, and can affirm positively that they have fared +well under this change of treatment. Since I formerly followed +the universal practice, I am competent to make comparisons, +and these speak unconditionally in favor of treatment +without alcohol. As a preventive of waste I use among +fever patients nothing but real foods; in addition to milk, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_374" id="Page_374">[Pg 374]</a></span>particularly sugar, which can be administered to any fever +patient in ample quantity in the form of fruit juices, stewed +fruit, sweet lemonade, fruit ices, sugared tea, etc., concerning +which hundreds of investigations have demonstrated positively +that it prevents the waste of both albumen and fat. +As a stimulant I employ, besides hydriatic methods, which at +the same time abstract heat, almost nothing but camphor, and +I can affirm that it is unconditionally preferable to alcohol +for its prompt results and the absence of disagreeable after-effects +(intoxication, benumbing). Pneumonia, especially, +subsides without alcohol to perfect satisfaction, and I rejoice +to agree in this respect with Aufrecht, one of the best +authorities on this disease, who in his monograph in Nothnagle’s +manual, acknowledges himself hostile to the use of +alcohol in the treatment of pneumonia, and hopes that its +use may be speedily abolished. For the reasons previously +specified, I should like to see that extended to all use of alcohol +in therapeutics. However, that can come to pass only +when all thinking physicians clearly appreciate the fact that +no substance is able to undertake the double role of a food +and a poison, and, also, that for alcohol no nutritive, but +only toxic properties can be claimed.”—<span class="smcap">Max Kassowitz</span>, +M. D., Professor in the University of Vienna, Austria.</p> + +<p>“Besides its deleterious influence on the nervous system +and other important parts of our body, alcohol has a harmful +action on the phagocytes, the agents of natural defense +against infective microbes.”—<span class="smcap">Prof. Metchnikoff</span>, Pasteur +Institute, Paris, France.</p> + +<p>“Alcoholic liquors are, to my mind, not only not valuable, +but distinctly disadvantageous, in the treatment of disease, +except in rare instances, as for example in the initial chill +of some acute infectious disease. However, I have almost +given up the use of alcohol in the treatment of disease.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +D. L. Edsall</span>, Professor of Therapeutics in the University of +Pennsylvania Medical School.</p> + +<p>“As a rule which might well be regarded as universal in +the practice of medicine, alcohol in the treatment of disease +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_375" id="Page_375">[Pg 375]</a></span>is an evil. In ordinary doses and in continuous use the sum +of its reactions increases exhaustion, which may terminate +fatally.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. John Van Duyn</span>, Professor of Medicine in +Syracuse, N. Y., University Medical School.</p> + +<p>“In sixteen years of active practice I have not used alcoholics +at all. I am medical director of the Scranton Sanitarium, +and I have considerable trouble in trying to cure +those who use alcohol, and to undo some of the work my +fellow practitioners have unwittingly made.”—<span class="smcap">D. Webster +Evans</span>, M. D., Scranton, Pa.</p> + +<p>“I am opposed to the use of alcoholic liquors as a beverage, +and with rare exceptions, to their use in the treatment +of diseases.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Eugene Kerr</span>, Physician to Phipps Dispensary, +Johns Hopkins Hospital, Baltimore, Md.</p> + +<p>“In my professional work I do not advise or permit the +use of alcohol as a beverage or medicine in any form whatever. +No alcohol is used medicinally in my hospital wards. +Beer or wine is not permitted to convalescents. Children are +never given tinctures. Cases of delirium tremens receive no +alcohol. The hypodermic use of alcohol is not permitted in +cases of shock. There are other much more effective and +less depressing diffusable stimulants.</p> + +<p>“Among my colleagues the employment of alcohol as a medicine +has diminished at least seventy-five per cent. in the +past fifteen years.</p> + +<p>“I have cast it out entirely.”—<span class="smcap">J. P. Warbasse</span>, M. D., Chief +Surgeon German Hospital, Brooklyn, N. Y.</p> + +<p>“The habitual use of alcohol in any disease is worse than +harmful.”—<span class="smcap">Robert B. Preble</span>, M. D., Chicago, Ill.</p> + +<p>“The last few years I find I have used less and less alcohol +in prescribing for my patients until at the present time I +use very little. I think my typhoid cases do better without +alcohol than with it.”—<span class="smcap">H. H. Healy</span>, M. D., former Sec’y +North Dakota Board of Health.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol is a poison. It is claimed by some that alcohol is +a food. If so, it is a poisoned food.”—<span class="smcap">Frederick Peterson</span>, +M. D., Professor of Psychiatry, Columbia University, N. Y.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_376" id="Page_376">[Pg 376]</a></span></p> +<p>“Few physicians now credit alcohol as a food (that is, as a +tissue builder) or as having any valuable medicinal qualities. +In fact, it is considered by many to have a destructive rather +than a constructive quality. I believe it should never be put +into the human body.”—<span class="smcap">Eugene Hubbell</span>, M. D., St. Paul, +Minn.</p> + +<p>“The medical profession is learning that alcohol has been +much abused in the treatment of the sick, and is largely discarding +it. I hardly find occasion to prescribe it once a year.”—<span class="smcap">W. A. +Plecker</span>, M. D., Sec’y State Board of Health, Hampton, +Va.</p> + +<p>“The use of alcohol as a beverage or therapeutically, is in +either case a habit of the user. The stimulation is but temporary, +the reaction leaving the nerve cells of the individual +with less resisting power than before the ingestion of alcohol. * * * Never +permit a verbal or written prescription of +yours to give rise to the use of a habit forming drug.”—<i>From +a lecture to students in Omaha Medical College by J. M. +Aiken, M. D., Clinical Instructor and Lecturer upon Nervous +and Mental Diseases.</i></p> + +<p>“The use of spirits as a stimulant in diseases, except in a +very limited circle, is a mere empiricism for which no good +reasons can be given. The teachings of medical men are no +more to be followed blindly and without question. The tests +of alcohol as a tonic, as a food, as a stimulant, as a retarder +of waste, are all negative. There is no reliable evidence to +support these claims, but a constant accumulation of facts to +indicate the danger from the use of spirits. To give alcohol +or any other drug without some rational theory in accord +with the scientific researches of to-day is unpardonable.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +T. D. Crothers</span>, Hartford, Conn., Editor of the Journal of +Inebriety.</p> + +<p>“Many physicians prescribe alcohol only because it is the +desire of the patient, and because patients refuse medicine +which the physicians would rather use.”—<span class="smcap">Everett Hooper</span>, M. D. +Boston, Mass.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_377" id="Page_377">[Pg 377]</a></span></p> +<p>“You are right in indicting alcohol for its insidious wrongs +to humanity. It is an old and sly offender and very much the +‘mocker’ in medical practise that it has been pronounced in +holy writ. It exhausts the latent energy of the organism +often when that power is most needed to conserve the failing +strength of the body in the battle with disease.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. C. H. +Hughes</span>, St. Louis, Missouri.</p> + +<p>“The best class of thinkers, men of the best intellectual +gauge, are those who are doing away with this miserable, +unscientific practise of giving liquor.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Boynton</span>, Clifton +Springs, N. Y.</p> + +<p>“I believe that in the scientific light of the present era alcohol +should be classed among the anæsthetics and poisons, and +that the human family would be benefited by its entire exclusion +from the field of remedial agents.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. S. Cain</span>, +Dean of the Faculty, Medical Department, University of +the South, Sewanee, Tenn.</p> + +<p>“Let me cite my experience in surgery for the last three +years in proof of the uselessness of alcohol, and the benefit +of abstinence from its administration. During that time I +have performed more than one thousand operations, a large +portion upon cases of railroad injuries, one hundred for appendicitis, +and in none of these was alcohol administered in +any form, either before, during, or after operations. I defy +any one who still adheres to alcohol to show as good results. +Equally gratifying results have been obtained with my medical +cases, and I fail to understand how any observing and +thinking physician can still cling to so prejudicial a drug as +alcohol, when he has within his reach a multitude of valuable, +exact, and reliable methods for combating, governing, +and controlling disease.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Evan C. Kane</span>, Surgeon Pennsylvania +Railroad, Kane, Pa.</p> + +<p>“In my neurological practice I emphatically forbid my patients +the use of alcohol. This poison has a special predilection +for the nervous system which it influences sometimes to +an alarming extent.”—<span class="smcap">Alfred Gordon</span>, M. D., Jefferson Medical +College, Philadelphia, Pa.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_378" id="Page_378">[Pg 378]</a></span></p> +<p>“Alcohol finds no place in my remedial list. It has been +banished, not from sentiment, but from knowledge secured +by scientific investigation.”—<span class="smcap">T. Alexander MacNicholl</span>, M. +D., New York City, one of the founders of the Red Cross +Hospital, New York.</p> + +<p>“No sound, scientific argument can be offered for the medical +use of alcohol, either internally or externally. It is a +toxic substance which ought to be retired from the <i>materia +medica</i>, and placed in the catalog of obsolete drugs along +with tobacco, lobelia, and like useless but highly toxic drug +substances.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. J. H. Kellogg</span>, Superintendent Battle Creek +Sanitarium, Battle Creek, Michigan.</p> + +<p>“The majority of medical men, without making any searching +investigation into the abundant recent literature upon the +subject of alcohol, are disposed to regard it with less and +less favor as the years go by, while those who have closely +followed the thorough investigations into the physiological +action of alcohol recently made by scientists, have repudiated +it altogether. * * * It is a lack of information upon +this subject—together with the fact that alcohol has been +used as a therapeutic agent for hundreds of years, during +which it has formed the basis of all tonic or stimulating +treatment—that gives alcohol its present hold upon a part of +the medical profession.”—<span class="smcap">John Madden</span>, M. D., Portland, +Oregon, formerly professor in Milwaukee Medical College.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol may fill an emergency when better means are not +at hand, but, apart from this, I know of no use in the practise +of medicine and surgery for which we have not better +weapons at our command. There is but one reason for the +continued use of alcohol—men use it because they love it.” +<span class="smcap">Dr. W. F. Waugh</span>, Chicago, Editor Journal of Clinical Medicine.</p> + +<p>“If alcohol had become a candidate for recognition years +ago instead of centuries ago it is safe to say that its application +in medicine would have been very much more limited +than we find it at the present time. Its wide therapeutic use +is to be attributed in part to fallacies and misconception re<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_379" id="Page_379">[Pg 379]</a></span>garding +its pharmacology, and in part to a disinclination on +the part of the average practitioner of medicine to depart +from old and well-beaten lines.”—<span class="smcap">Winfield S. Hall</span>, M. D., +Professor of Physiology, Northwestern University Medical +School, Chicago.</p> + +<p>“In its relation to the human system, alcohol is never constructive +and always destructive.”—<span class="smcap">Prof. Frank Woodbury</span>, +M. D., Philadelphia, Pa.</p> + +<p>“The clinicians who decide for the deleterious action of +alcohol in infectious conditions have what evidence of an +experimental nature we possess at the present time to support +their impressions. The advocates of the continuous use +of the drug have this evidence against them.”—<span class="smcap">Henry F. +Hewes</span>, M. D., Harvard Medical School, Boston, Mass.</p> + +<p>“I am very glad that you are undertaking so important a +work as this in connection with the terrible problem of alcoholism. +Physicians need awakening in this matter; they need +reform. The evil results of alcohol are unfortunately brought +to my notice each day of my life as I pursue my vocation +and my public duties as Health Officer, and a reform in prescribing +so as to eliminate alcohol would undoubtedly have +far-reaching beneficent effects.”—<span class="smcap">Edward von Adelung</span>, +M. D., Health Officer, Oakland, Cal.</p> + +<p>“I am forwarding you a report of 303 cases of typhoid +fever treated without alcohol, and my reasons for not using +it. I believe the results will not suffer by comparison with +those obtained in other hospitals where alcohol is used. Wishing +you lasting success in your war upon the greatest evil +of the times.”—<span class="smcap">J. H. Landis</span>, M. D., Cincinnati, O.</p> + +<p>“Only precise evidence that it (alcohol) is able to protect +albumen from destruction can warrant its employment and +establish its value as a food in the sick diet. And this evidence +which is of determinative importance must be looked +upon as having failed, according to the recent investigations +of Stammreich and Miura (who both worked under von +Noorden’s direction), as well as by Schmidt, Schöneseiffen +and Roseman. The uniform result of all these experiments, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_380" id="Page_380">[Pg 380]</a></span>arrived at by altogether different methods, is that <i>alcohol +does not possess albumen sparing power</i>; that it even brings +about an undoubted breaking down of albumen, and consequently +it is entirely unequal to carbohydrates and fat.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +Julian Marcuse</span>, a contributing editor of <i>Die Heilkunde</i>, a +German medical magazine. See issue of July, 1900.</p> + +<p>“Thirty years ago the general principle of practice was +stimulation. Alcohol was supposed to rouse up and support +vital forces in disease. Twenty-three years ago the first +practical denial was put into a permanent position in a public +hospital in London, where alcohol was seldom or never +used. * * * Doctor Richardson’s researches showing the anæsthetic +nature of alcohol have had a great influence in +changing medical practice in England. * * * On the Continent +a number of scientific workers have published researches +confirming Doctor Richardson’s conclusions, and +bringing out other facts as to the action of alcohol on the +brain and nervous system. These papers and the discussions +which followed have been slowly working their way into the +laboratory and hospital, and have been tested and found correct, +materially changing current opinions, and creating great +doubts of the value of alcohol.</p> + +<p>“In 1896, the prosecution of Doctor Hirschfeld, a Magdeburg +physician, in the German courts, for not using alcohol +in a case of septicemia, seemed to be the central point for a +new demonstration of the danger of the use of alcohol in +medicine. Doctor Hirschfeld was acquitted on the testimony +of a large number of leading physicians from the large hospitals +and universities of Europe. It was proved that alcohol +was not a remedy which was specifically required in any +disease; also that its value was most seriously questioned as +a general remedy by many able men, and its substitution was +practical and literal in most cases. Statistics were presented +proving that alcohol was dangerous, and never a safe remedy, +and laboratory investigations confirming and explaining +its action were given. Since then a sharp reaction has been +going on in Europe, and alcohol is rapidly declining and +passing away as a common remedy.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_381" id="Page_381">[Pg 381]</a></span></p> +<p>“Doctor Frick, an eminent teacher of medicine in Zurich, +Switzerland, and Doctor von Speyer, of the University of +Berne, have made statistical studies of cases treated with +and without alcohol, and have analyzed the effects of spirits +as medicinal agents to check and antagonize disease, and +assert very positively, that alcohol is a dangerous and exceedingly +doubtful remedy. Doctor Meyer, of the University +of Gottenburg, Doctor Möbius, of Leipsic, and Doctor +Wehberg, of Dusseldorf, are equally prominent physicians +who have taken the same position, and are equally emphatic +in their denunciations of the current beliefs concerning alcohol +in <a name="Page_381t" id="Page_381t"></a><a href="#Page_381tn">medicine.”</a>—<i>Journal A. M. A.</i>, January 6, 1900.</p></div> + +<p>Dr. H. D. Didama, Dean of the Medical College +of Syracuse University, Syracuse, N. Y., said in +January, 1898, in the <i>Voice</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“For many years after my graduation at Albany, in 1846, +I prescribed alcohol, and for twenty years, while occupying the +chair of professor of the science and art of medicine in the +College of Medicine of Syracuse University. I followed in my +lectures—often reluctantly and usually afar off, but still I +followed—the almost unanimous teaching of authors, ancient +and modern, and the professors in the medical schools.</p> + +<p>“Convinced that a great number of the diseases I was called +to treat owed their existence or aggravation to the use, in +alleged moderation, of alcoholic beverages, and that not in a +few instances this use was commenced and even continued by +the advice of the medical attendants; convinced also by the +published experiments of many acute observers at home and +abroad, and by my own observations, that almost all diseases +could be managed as well if not better by the non-use of +alcohol, and satisfied from the communications of some +brother practitioners that the fatality in certain specified diseases +was not delayed, to say the least, by the employment of +increasing and enormous doses of wine, whisky and brandy, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_382" id="Page_382">[Pg 382]</a></span>and influenced also, I must admit—overwhelmed, indeed—by +what I know and what I read daily of the pauperism, domestic +wretchedness, crime, insanity and incurable maladies transmitted +to innocent offspring, I abandoned entirely, more than +three years ago, the use of alcoholic remedies.</p> + +<p>“I have endeavored by personal example and earnest council +to dissuade my patients from the use of intoxicating beverages +and medicines.</p> + +<p>“The outcome of this practice, medically and morally, has +been satisfactory to myself, and, I have reason to believe, to +my patients also.</p> + +<p>“Whatever regrets I may feel for my former teaching and +practice, I have no apology to offer for my inconsistency except +that once given by Gerrit Smith:—‘I know more to-day +than I did yesterday; the only persons who never change +their minds are God and a fool.’</p> + +<p>“Permit me to add that while there may be an honest difference +of opinion regarding the efficacy of legislative enactments +in overcoming or restraining the drink habit, there should be +little doubt that a whole-hearted, persistent, precept-and-example +effort of the medical profession exerted as individuals on +their patients and the families of their patients, and as associations +on the community at large, would do immeasurable good.</p> + +<p>“And the newspapers might aid materially in this beneficent +work if, while they continue to spread before our households +every day the details of the brawls and fights of drunken men +and the horrible murders which they commit, they would discontinue +advertising, without warning or dissent, side by side +with the atrocities, the ‘innocuous beers,’ the pure malt whiskies, +the genuine brandies, guaranteed to prevent and cure all +manner of diseases.”</p></div> + +<p>The following testimony from an English physician +is significant:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Although I know beforehand that their united testimony +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_383" id="Page_383">[Pg 383]</a></span>must be in favor of the practice of total abstinence from all +intoxicating drinks, being most conducive to health and longevity +of their patients, but very inimical to the pocket interests +of themselves, my own experience is, that my teetotal patients +are seldom ill, and that they get well very soon again, if they +are attacked by disease. A higher principle than that of gain +must influence a medical man’s mind, or he will never advocate +the doctrine of total abstinence.”—<span class="smcap">J. J. Ritchie</span>, M. R. C. S., +Leek.</p> + +<p>“One of the most dangerous phases of the use of alcohol is +the production of a feeling of well being in weakly, dyspeptic, +irritable, nervous or anæmic patients. In consequence of the +temporary relief so obtained, the patient develops a craving +for alcohol, which in many cases can end only in one way, +and, as I felt compelled to tell an assembly of ladies a short +time ago, the very symptoms for the alleviation of which +alcohol is usually taken are those, the presence of which +renders it exceedingly desirable that alcohol should not be +taken.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. G. Sims Woodhead</span>, of London.</p></div> + +<p>In an address upon the London Temperance +Hospital delivered shortly before his death, Sir B. +W. Richardson gave a brief review of the influences +which led him to abandon the medical use of alcohol. +The following is taken from that address as +reported in the <i>Medical Pioneer</i>:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I was a member of the Vestry of St. Marylebone, and we +had in our parish a very serious outbreak of small-pox, attended +with a considerable mortality. In his report to us Dr. +Whitmore stated that in his treatment of earlier cases of the +confluent and hemorrhagic, and malignant forms of disease, +stimulants of wine and brandy were freely administered without +any apparent benefit; and, that after consultation with Mr. +Cross, the resident surgeon, they resolved to substitute simple +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_384" id="Page_384">[Pg 384]</a></span>nutriments, such as milk, eggs and beef-tea, at frequent intervals, +with discontinuance of stimulants altogether. The result +of the change was most satisfactory, and many bad cases did +well, which under the stimulant plan they believed would have +terminated fatally. Again I was struck very much by a report +made by Mr. Cadbury, in which that gentleman showed the +course that was going on in various hospitals. The amount of +alcohol in twelve hospitals in London, taken by the inpatients, +varied in ounces from 37,531 in one establishment to 300,094 in +another during the year 1878. I also found, from the same +author, that the whole cost in St. George’s Union Infirmary for +the year 1878 was £8. 3s. 6d., amongst 2,496 patients, while the +cost of the same number at the average of the twelve hospitals +was £124. About this same time I also remarked that in many +of the public institutions of England there was a reduction +something similar in kind, if not to the same extent, and that +the number of persons who suffered seemed to make better recoveries +than those who were taking the free amount of stimulant. +The effect of these observations chimed in very remarkably +with the physiological experiments it had been my duty to +carry out, and which tended to show in a most striking manner +that the action of alcohol in the body very much differed from +the ordinary opinion that had been held upon it, and thereupon, +in my own practice, I abandoned the use of alcohol, and began +to give instead small quantities of simple, nourishing, dietic +food, a course I pursued up to the present time with the most +satisfactory results, results I have never felt any occasion to regret. +By these steps, learned in the first place from the study +of alcohol in its action on man, I was led to become a believer +that alcohol is of no more service in disease than it is in health, +and a lengthened experience in this matter has really confirmed +the correctness of the idea.”</p></div> + +<p>In his last report as physician to the Temperance +Hospital Dr. Richardson made some remarkable +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_385" id="Page_385">[Pg 385]</a></span>statements upon the fallacy of the general ideas of +stimulation. So interesting are his views that they +are incorporated here:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Sir B. W. Richardson, M. D., who was unable to be present, +communicated (through the secretary) his annual report as +physician to the hospital. After twelve months further trial of +the treatment of all kinds of disease in this institution without +the assistance of alcohol, either as a diet or a medicine, he (Sir +B. W. Richardson) was fully sustained in the belief that the +plan pursued had been attended with every possible advantage. +About 500 cases had come under his observation and treatment +as in previous years, and these cases had been of the most +varied kind, including all patients who were not directly suffering +from contagious disease. In not one instance had alcohol +been administered, nor had anything like it been used in the +way of a substitute, and there had not been a single case in +which he could conceive that it was ever called for, while the +success which had attended the treatment generally had been +superior to anything he had ever seen following upon the +administration of alcoholic stimulants. One great truth +which had forced itself upon him had reference to the doctrine +of stimulation generally. It had been one of the grand +ideas in medicine that there came times when sick people +were benefited by being stimulated. It was argued that +they were low, and in order that they might be raised and +brought nearer to the natural life they required something like +alcohol to quicken the circulation, quicken the secretion, and +help to preserve the vitality. But the experience which was +learned here tended to show in the most distinct manner that +that very old and apparently rational idea was fallacious. Such +stimulation only tended ultimately to wear out the powers of the +body, as well as change the physical conditions under which the +body worked. True lowness meant practical over-fatigue, and +when the body was spurred on, or stimulated, over-fatigue was +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_386" id="Page_386">[Pg 386]</a></span>simply intensified and increased. What, therefore, was wanted +was not stimulation, but repose. The sufferer was placed in +the best position to gain entire rest, and all the surroundings or +environments were employed which tended to prevent waste. +The air was kept at the proper temperature, the body of the +patient kept warm, and the simplest and most easily digested +foods were used; the patient’s condition then swung round to +a natural state, and he began to get well. In other cases where +the sick were brought under observation suffering already from +excitable condition of the senses, with congestions here and there +of the circulatory or nervous systems, with imperfect condition +of the brain, and with the elements of what was usually denominated +inflammatory or febrile state—the stimulant was already +present (was, indeed the cause of the symptoms) and did +not want in any degree to be enforced further by the acts of +treatment. Here, therefore, they were on the safest grounds as +regarded methods of administration, for they calmed as well as +they possibly could both mind and body and left nature to do +the rest, which she did with the best and most tranquilizing effect. +On both sides, therefore, in the treatment of disease, they +did good, and that was the reason, he believed, why their returns +were so satisfactory. It often happened in an institution +where some particular plan was carried out that the old ideas +in which they had been bred were without intention refined or +suppressed. For example, he had been taught, and believed for +a number of years, that some medicament of a particular kind +was needful for some particular train of symptoms, be the surrounding +conditions what they might. There was no doubt +that this same feeling had given rise to the persistent use of +alcohol; but, greatly to his own surprise, he discovered that +when the surroundings were all good, the rule that applied to +alcohol constantly applied to other substances that were called +remedies, with the result that recovery was often just as good +without the particular remedies as with them, so that a revision +came quite simply with regard to stimulating agents and their +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_387" id="Page_387">[Pg 387]</a></span>properties, and also with regard to every medicine that might +at earlier times have been employed. He had seen many cases +in this hospital recover without any other aid than that of the +environments, which cases he would have said could not possibly +have gone on well, or towards complete recovery, unless +some special recipe had been followed. He believed the day +would come when others, learning this same truth as he had been +obliged to learn it, would act on such simple principles that the +books of remedies would have to be vastly curtailed. It would +be seen that there was such a tendency of disease to get well +of itself, or by virtue of natural processes, of which people had +at present but a very poor idea, that the art of physic would +pass into directions how to live rather than into dogmatic assertions +that particular means must be employed in addition to the +common details of life for the process of cure. If therefore +they learned in this hospital by their reduced death-rates the +true lesson, the institution would have performed a double duty, +and become one of the test objects in medicine, and in the field +of disease. They made no attempt by selection, or by any side +action, to exaggerate their results. The cases were taken indiscriminately, +except that they gave admission to the worst +cases first; that was to say, they never caused patients to come +under their treatment if they saw they were only slightly affected, +and were bound to get well.”—<i>Medical Pioneer.</i></p></div> + +<p>Dr. Landmann, of Boppard-on-the-Rhine, Germany, +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The members of the Association of Abstaining Physicians, +reject the use of spirituous liquors in every form, and particularly +declare the use of alcohol at the sick-bed a scientific error +of the saddest kind. In order to war against this abuse, they +earnestly appeal to the officers having charge of funds for the +sick, henceforth, under no circumstances, any longer to permit +the prescription of wine, whisky and brandy for sick members; +but to resist to the utmost, according to the right given them +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_388" id="Page_388">[Pg 388]</a></span>by the laws insuring the sick, the taking of spirituous liquors, +under the false pretext that they have a curative and strengthening +effect.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Bleuler, Rheineau, Switzerland, says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The treatment of chronic diseases with alcohol is contrary +to our knowledge of the physiological effects of alcohol. There +is no probability that its use will be beneficial, certainly its benefits +have not been established. Often an injurious result is +proved.</p> + +<p>“It is not implied that there may not be some benefit in the +use of alcohol in cases of sudden weakness with or without +fever. But even in such cases the benefit is not demonstrated. +At any rate, other remedies can with advantage be substituted +for alcohol.</p> + +<p>“The essential thing in the treatment of all alcoholic diseases, +delirium tremens included, is total abstinence.</p> + +<p>“The physiological effect of alcohol is that of a poison, whose +use is to be limited to the utmost. Even the moderate use as +now practiced is injurious.</p> + +<p>“The customary beneficial results unquestionably depend +chiefly on suggestion, and by making the patient believe falsely +that the momentary subjective better feeling means actual improvement.</p> + +<p>“Physicians share the blame of the present flood of alcoholism. +They are, therefore, morally bound to remedy the evil. +Only by means of personal abstinence can this be done.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. A. Frick, professor in Zurich, is a careful +student and an influential writer on alcohol. His +statements are weighty. This is his testimony:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“In larger doses, alcohol is absolutely injurious in the treatment +of acute fevers, especially in case of pneumonia, typhus +and erysipelas. They first of all injure the general state +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_389" id="Page_389">[Pg 389]</a></span>of the patient, they cause delirium, or increase it if already existing, +and, secondly, they injure most seriously the organs of +digestion and interfere with proper nourishment; thus they have +a weakening effect, instead of preventing weakness, which they +are usually supposed to do. In case no alcohol is used, the +convalescence is much more rapid. In no case has the benefit +of treatment with alcohol been established. According to the +view of the most eminent pharmacologists, the stimulating +effect of alcohol consists simply in a local irritation of the mucous +membrane of the stomach, similar to that produced by a +mustard plaster.”</p></div> + +<p>The following selection from the excellent address +of Dr. Harvey, president of the Virginia State Medical +Society, at a recent meeting, is a most timely +caution:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Our prisons, asylums and homes are filled with the victims +of the careless and indiscriminate use by the medical profession +of those twin demons, alcohol and opium, which, save tuberculosis, +are doing more to debase and destroy the human race +than all the other diseases together. I most earnestly beseech +you, young men, who are just starting out in life, to stay your +hand in the use of these agents in your own persons, and in +your daily work, and to beware of the seductive needle, and the +cup that inebriates. Make it an invariable rule, never to prescribe +alcohol, nor one of the solinaceus or narcotic drugs, if +you can possibly avoid it. The use of alcohol and opium debases +the minds and morals of habitués, predisposes especially +to Bright’s disease and insanity, and lays the foundation in the +offspring for the majority of the neuroses and degenerations of +modern civilized life. The physical fatigue of long working +hours, loss of sleep, mental strain, worry and hunger, invite the +tired physician, especially, to their seductive use. To totally +abstain from them is always business, and very often character, +and even life itself. I feel free to speak to you on this subject +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_390" id="Page_390">[Pg 390]</a></span>very earnestly, my younger brothers, for, having prescribed +alcohol for over thirty years, I am familiar with its tendencies +and its dangers.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. T. D. Crothers of Hartford, Conn., in an article +upon “The Decline of Alcohol as a Medicine,” +says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Thoughtful observers recognize that alcohol as a medicine +is rapidly becoming a thing of the past. Ten years ago leading +medical men and text-books spoke of stimulants as essentials +of many diseases, and defended their use with warmth and +positiveness. To-day this is changed. Medical men seldom +refer to spirits as remedies, and when they do, express great +conservatism and caution. The text-books show the same +changes, although some dogmatic authors refuse to recognize +the change of practice, and still cling to the idea of the food +value of spirits.</p> + +<p>“Druggists who supply spirits to the profession recognize a +tremendous dropping off in the demand. A distiller who, ten +years ago, sold many thousand gallons of choice whiskies, almost +exclusively to medical men, has lost his trade altogether, +and gone out of business. Wine men, too, recognize this +change, and are making every effort to have wine used in the +place of spirits in the sick-room. Proprietary medicine dealers +are putting all sorts of compounds of wine with iron, bark, etc., +on the market with the same idea. It is doubtful if any of these +will be able to secure any permanent place in therapeutics.</p> + +<p>“The fact is, alcohol is passing out of practical therapeutics +because its real action is becoming known. Facts are accumulating +in the laboratory, in the autopsy room, at the bedside, +and in the work of experimental psychologists, which show that +alcohol is a depressant and a narcotic; that it cannot build up +tissue, but always acts as a degenerative power; and that its +apparent effects of raising the heart’s action and quickening +functional activities are misleading and erroneous.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_391" id="Page_391">[Pg 391]</a></span></p> +<p>“French and German specialists have denounced spirits both +as a beverage and a medicine, and shown by actual demonstration +that alcohol is a poison and a depressant, and that any +therapeutic action it is assumed to have is open to question.</p> + +<p>“All this is not the result of agitation and wild condemnation +by persons who feel deeply the sad consequences of the abuse +of spirits. It is simply the outcome of the gradual accumulation +of facts that have been proven within the observation of +every thoughtful person. The exact or approximate facts relating +to alcohol can now be tested by instruments of precision. +We can weigh and measure the effects, and it is not essential +to theorize or speculate; we can test and prove with reasonable +certainty what was before a matter of doubt.</p> + +<p>“Medical men who doubt the value of spirits are no more +considered fanatics or extremists, but as leaders along new and +wider lines of research. Alcohol in medicine, except as a narcotic +and anæsthetic, is rapidly falling into disfavor, and will +soon be put aside and forgotten.”</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_392" id="Page_392">[Pg 392]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVI" id="CHAPTER_XVI"></a>CHAPTER XVI.</h2> + +<h3>RECENT RESEARCHES UPON <a name="Page_392t" id="Page_392t"></a><a href="#Page_392tn">ALCOHOL</a>.</h3> + + +<p>In the year 1900 Prof. Taav Laitinen, of the University +of Helsingfors, Finland, published an account +of experiments made upon 342 animals—dogs, rabbits, +guinea pigs, fowls and pigeons—to determine the +effects of alcohol upon the resistance of the body to +infectious diseases. He used as infecting agents, +anthrax bacilli, tubercle bacilli, and diphtheria bacilli. +The doses of alcohol given varied with the animal. +For his “small dose” experiments he used the quantity +of alcohol given as a food or as a medicine, or +both, in a neighboring sanitorium. The alcohol employed +was, as a rule, a 25 per cent. solution of ethyl +alcohol in water. It was given either by esophageal +catheter, or by dropping it into the mouth from a +pipette. It was administered in several ways, and for +varying times; sometimes in single large doses, at +others in gradually increasing doses for months at a +time, in order to produce here an acute, and there a +chronic poisoning; in fact, he produced the conditions +consequent upon steady, moderate drinking.</p> + +<p>His first conclusion from these experiments, most +carefully carried out, is that alcohol, however given, +induces in the animal body a markedly increased susceptibility +to infectious diseases; and he maintains +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_393" id="Page_393">[Pg 393]</a></span>that his experiments indicate that the use of alcohol, +at least in the treatment of anthrax, tuberculosis, and +diphtheria, is not only useless but probably injurious. +From a number of other experiments carried out with +scrupulous care he comes to the same conclusion as +Abbott, Welch, and others that the predisposing to +disease of alcohol must be explained by its action in +producing abnormal conditions—pathological changes +in the alimentary canal, liver, kidneys, heart, and nervous +system. He found that the alkalinity of the blood +was slightly diminished, and the number of leucocytes +somewhat decreased. He also draws attention to the +fact that his experiments prove that pregnant animals +and their offspring are markedly affected by the continued +use of small doses of alcohol. He shows, too, +that the temporary lowering of the body temperature +by alcohol produces the most favorable condition for +the invasion of disease germs.</p> + +<p>Since the publication of these experiments, and of +others similar to them, the use of alcohol in diphtheria +and tuberculosis has very largely ceased. Boards of +health and charity organizations unite in warning +against indulgence in alcoholic drinks as conducive to +tuberculosis.</p> + +<p>At the International Congress on Alcoholism, held +in London in July, 1909, Professor Laitinen delivered +two lectures. The first was upon “The Influence of +Alcohol on Immunity.” The following is taken from +this lecture:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Modern researches have done much to explain the extent +and nature of the protective powers by which the or<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_394" id="Page_394">[Pg 394]</a></span>ganism +endeavors to defend itself against the attacks of all +kinds of injurious agencies, and especially against invasion +by the germs of infective diseases. It is now a well-established +fact that alcohol weakens the normal resisting power +of the body against the above-named disease-producing influences. +In the hope of contributing something to the explanation +of the way in which alcohol weakens the organism, +I have made a number of experiments bearing upon the question +of the influence of alcohol on immunity.</p> + +<p>“Early in this century careful experiments went to show +that alcohol certainly had some influence upon immunity. +Two Americans, Abbott and Bergey, were the first to discover +that this agent produces a diminution of the hæmolytic +complement in the blood-serum of certain animals which +were tested. They showed also that the formation of specific +hæmolytic receptors (immune bodies) may be retarded +by the action of alcohol.</p> + +<p>“The extent of the evil effects upon the human body resulting +from the consumption of alcoholic liquors is as yet +far from being fully known, and stands in need of scientific +verification. Many other injurious influences such as +unsanitary dwellings, bad feeding, excessive toil, and toxic +agents like nicotine, etc., may produce somewhat similar morbid +effects. It is therefore necessary, in the scientific study +of the question, to take these possibilities into consideration. +In my investigations, the results of which I am now to lay +before you, I have endeavored to select as subjects for my +experiments both abstainers from alcohol, and those who +indulge more or less in its use, in such a way that their +conditions of life and their habits in other respects should +be as nearly as possible the same. All persons, for instance, +suffering from any acute or chronic disease were rejected, +and very few of the persons selected were smokers. The +subject of this research has been human blood, and especially +its two principal components, namely, red blood-corpuscles +and blood-serum, both of which up to the present +time have been very little studied in relation to the ques<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_395" id="Page_395">[Pg 395]</a></span>tion +under discussion. I have gone into these matters chiefly +because the modern theoretical study of immunity during the +last few years has, in general, attracted greater attention to +the blood, and shown the important role which the different +parts, properties, and capacities of the blood play in defending +the organism against internal and external injurious +agencies. Further, the subtle methods employed in the study +of immunity (such as organic reactions, and reactions between +greatly attenuated organic liquids) would also seem to be +available for our purpose, as they allow of the detection of +the minutest differences which alcohol may produce in any +part of the organism in question.</p> + +<p>“During the course of this research, which has lasted over +a period of three years, I sought to investigate the action of +alcohol on the resistive power of human red blood-corpuscles. +I wished to ascertain whether the resistivity of the +red blood-corpuscles in a healthy man could be lowered by +the consumption of alcohol. * * *</p> + +<p>“It may be well for me here to explain that in this lecture +I mean by the term ‘drinker’ a person who has taken +alcohol in any quantity whatever. Many of these ‘drinkers,’ +therefore, were in fact most moderate consumers of alcohol. +By the term ‘abstainer’ I mean a person who has never taken +alcohol in any quantity worth mentioning. In the course of +my investigations I have examined blood from two hundred +and twenty-three persons. They were of different classes +and ages. There were professors of medicine and other +physicians, University fellows, students of both sexes, hospital +nurses, school-teachers, waiters, and other men and +women belonging to the working-classes.”</p></div> + +<p>The rest of the lecture as given here is an abstract +made by Professor Laitinen:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“My studies have been directed to an investigation of the +following points:</p> + +<p>“1. I sought to ascertain whether the resistance of human +red blood-corpuscles against a heterogeneous normal serum, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_396" id="Page_396">[Pg 396]</a></span>or an immune serum, can be diminished by the use of alcohol.</p> + +<p>“2. I have studied the action of alcohol in drinking and +abstaining persons on the hæmolytic power of blood-serum +over heterogeneous red blood-corpuscles (rabbits). I have +studied not only the hæmolytic power of the human blood-serum, +but also its power of precipitation in the presence of +rabbit-serum, with a view to ascertain if the reaction between +a known dilution of rabbit-serum and a certain dilution +of serum of alcohol-users and non-drinking persons is +different or not, and if the reaction is more apparent with +the former or with the latter.</p> + +<p>“3. The resisting power of serum obtained both from alcohol-drinking +and from non-drinking persons was further +tested by human blood, with the object of discovering whether +any difference in reaction existed between the same immune +serum and the two kinds of human sera above mentioned.</p> + +<p>“4. I have studied the problem as to whether the hæmolytic +complement in the blood-serum of alcohol-drinking and non-drinking +persons is altered in any way by alcohol.</p> + +<p>“5. The bactericidal power of blood-serum from both alcohol-drinking +and non-drinking persons was determined by +some experiments.</p> + +<p>“The above experiments have given the following results:</p> + +<p>“1. The normal resistance of human red blood-corpuscles +appears to be somewhat diminished against a heterogeneous +normal serum or an immune serum by the consumption of +alcohol, provided that tolerably large equal, or nearly equal, +numbers of drinkers and abstainers of both sexes be examined, +and the average of resistance be taken on both sides: +this last-named precaution being necessary because the resistance +of red blood-corpuscles from different human beings +varies largely. The difference is often greater when using +weaker solutions than when using stronger dilutions of +lysin.</p> + +<p>“2. These experiments have shown the normal hæmolytic +power of human blood-serum to be less in the case of alco<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_397" id="Page_397">[Pg 397]</a></span>hol-drinkers +than in that of abstainers.</p> + +<p>“3. The precipitating reaction between a solution of 1 per +cent. human blood-serum and different dilutions of immune +serum was greater in the case of drinkers than in that of +abstainers.</p> + +<p>“4. These experiments have also shown that the bactericidal +power of blood-serum against typhoid bacteria was less +in the case of drinkers than in that of abstainers.</p> + +<p>“It seems clear, therefore, that alcohol, even in comparatively +small doses, exercises a prejudicial effect on the protective +mechanism of the human body.”</p></div> + +<p>The lecturer made his points clear by a carefully +prepared series of charts. At its close Sir Victor +Horsley, Professor Sims Woodhead, A. Pearce Gould, +and several other distinguished physicians spoke in +high terms of the painstaking care exhibited in the +experiments.</p> + +<p>Professor Laitinen’s second lecture was upon “The +Influence of Alcohol Upon Human Offspring.” He +sent out 15,000 circulars to his countrymen, asking +many questions relative to themselves and their infant +children, and received 5,845 replies relative to 20,008 +children. He also studied personally a large number +of drinking and abstaining families. From these studies +he shows by careful tables that the drinking of +alcohol by parents, even in small quantities, has an +injurious influence upon human offspring. His studies +in former years showed the same unfavorable +influence upon the offspring of animals. One of his +tables gives percentages of deaths of children in the +homes of abstaining parents, moderate drinkers, and +harder drinkers. Children of abstainers dying in the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_398" id="Page_398">[Pg 398]</a></span>first year, 13.45 per cent.; of moderates, 23.17 per +cent.; of harder drinkers, 32.02 per cent. Other tables +show that abstainers’ children gain in weight more +steadily in the first year than drinkers’ children, and +have their teeth earlier, as a rule.</p> + +<p>At the International Medical Congress of 1909, held +in Budapest, Professor Laitinen lectured again upon +his researches, and summarized his conclusions thus:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“1. The importance of alcohol as an article of food is rendered +very questionable by recent researches. 2. These researches +prove that alcohol diminishes the natural power of +the tissues to resist injury, promotes degeneration, and has a +disastrous effect on future generations. 3. The questions of +relation of alcoholic liquor to crime and of the manufacture +and sale of such beverages deserve the serious consideration +of the legislature. 4. It is the duty of medical men to direct +more attention than formerly to the alcohol question, and by +careful study to decide whether recent researches are justified +or not in regarding alcohol and alcoholic beverages as +a poison and one of the principal causes of degeneration in +the human family; they ought also to consider whether it +would not be advisable in medical practice, and especially in +hospitals, either to banish it altogether or at least to prescribe +it with the same care as other poisonous drugs. In +this matter the attitude taken by medical men as representatives +of public hygiene was of quite exceptional importance.”</p></div> + +<p>Metchnikoff, the illustrious Russian scientist, who +has for some years been connected with the Pasteur +Institute in Paris, was the discoverer of the work +assigned by nature to the white corpuscles of the +blood. These blood-cells are the “guardian-cells” of +the body, and their duty is to destroy disease germs +which may gain an entrance. They actually devour +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_399" id="Page_399">[Pg 399]</a></span>disease germs. Metchnikoff has been studying the +effect of alcohol upon these protective cells, and he +asserts that alcohol, even in small doses, has a harmful +action on these agents of defence against disease. +Alcohol seems to paralyze them more or less so that +they are unable to do their full duty in destroying the +infective microbes. Thus disease germs can multiply +more rapidly when alcohol is in the blood. In his +book called “The New Hygiene,” Metchnikoff suggests +that the administration of alcoholic liquors in +infectious disease appears to be attended with danger +to the patient.</p> + +<p>The researches of Kraepelin, Ach, Aschaffenberg +and other German scientists have become so well +known through the articles by Henry Smith Williams +in <i>McClure’s Magazine</i> that only brief reference need +be made to them here. Kraepelin used very small +doses of alcohol for some of his experiments. He +found that after ¼ to ½ ounce of alcohol had been +taken the time occupied in making response to a signal +was slightly shortened, but in a few minutes, in +most cases, this quickening action passed and a slowing +process began, and continued until the body was +free from the influence of the alcohol, which was +sometimes four or five hours.</p> + +<p>The ability to add figures was tested, and this decreased +very rapidly under minute doses of alcohol. +Memory tests showed that only 60 figures could be +remembered from numbers written in columns after +alcohol had been taken, while 100 figures could be +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_400" id="Page_400">[Pg 400]</a></span>remembered correctly when the mind was free from +the alcoholic influence. Type-setters were tested, and +the average number of errors they made and the +amount of work they did in a given time was carefully +recorded. After a small dose of alcohol none +of the men could in the same time do as much work, +or as accurate work. Yet every one of the men experimented +upon thought he was doing better work after +his drink. This proves the narcotic effect of alcohol.</p> + +<p>The economic loss to a people from beer and wine +drinking is worthy of serious consideration since a +bottle of wine or its equivalent in beer could diminish +by ten to fifteen per cent. the amount of work done +by these type-setters experimented upon by Professor +Aschaffenberg.</p> + +<p>Professor Kraepelin says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“I must admit that my experiments, extending over more +than ten years, have made me an opponent of alcohol.”</p></div> + +<p>He says again:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The laborer who wins his livelihood by the working power +of his arm strikes at the very foundation of his power by +the use of alcohol.”</p></div> + +<p>Professor Aschaffenberg says of moderate doses:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Any quantity of alcohol must be regarded as considerable +which causes a disturbance, even if only transitory, of +bodily and mental efficiency.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Reid Hunt, chief of the Division of Pharmacology, +Hygienic Laboratory, United States Public +Health and Marine Hospital Service, made some very +interesting experiments to determine the physiological +changes upon animals which would result from the +strictly moderate use of alcohol. These are described +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_401" id="Page_401">[Pg 401]</a></span>in Bulletin No. 33 of the Hygienic Laboratory, published +in 1907. Mice and guinea-pigs were used. The +food, usually oats, was soaked in diluted alcohol, at +first of five per cent. strength, then gradually increased +to forty or fifty per cent. By carefully observing the +weight of the mice, and not increasing the strength +of the alcohol too rapidly, it was possible to keep the +animals for months on this diet without any material +loss of weight. After the lapse of weeks, in some +cases, and months in other cases, these alcohol fed animals +were given small doses of a poison known as +acetonitrile. Other mice to whom no alcohol was fed +were given similar doses of this poison. In the first +series the mice which had received alcohol died from +about one-half the quantity of acetonitrile required to +kill those which had not received alcohol. In the second +series with a somewhat stronger dilution the alcohol +mice succumbed to one-half to one-third the dose +necessary to kill the non-alcoholized animals. In no +case was enough alcohol given for any symptoms of +intoxication to appear, nor was there any outward +indication of any injury being done by the alcohol. In +another experiment a mouse was kept for four months +on a diet of oats soaked in water, then 0.5 milligram +of acetonitrile per gram body weight was injected. +The mouse recovered. It was then fed on oats soaked +in an alcoholic solution which was gradually increased +to 45 per cent. After a little more than a month of +this diet 0.2 milligram acetonitrile per gram body +weight proved fatal. The weight of the mouse had +remained about the same throughout.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_402" id="Page_402">[Pg 402]</a></span></p> + +<p>Alcohol increased the susceptibility of the guinea +pigs also.</p> + +<p>Dr. Hunt says on page 33 of the bulletin:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“These experiments with alcohol and acetonitrile are of +interest in another connection. The greatest advance in recent +years in our knowledge of the physiological action of +alcohol has been the clear demonstration that alcohol is oxidized +in the body, and may replace fats and carbohydrates +and to a certain extent, the proteids of an ordinary diet. +So clear has been this demonstration that the view that alcohol, +in moderate amounts, should be regarded as a food is +almost universally accepted by physiologists, and the drift of +opinion is certainly toward the view that it is in all respects +strictly <a name="Page_402t" id="Page_402t"></a><a href="#Page_402tn">analogous</a> to sugar and fats, provided always +that the amount used does not exceed that easily oxidized +by the body. Under these premises it would be expected that +alcohol in a diet would have the same effect upon an animal’s +susceptibility to acetonitrile as has dextrose, for example. +This is by no means the case, however; on the contrary, +the action of these substances in this regard is entirely +different. Mice fed upon oats soaked in a solution of +dextrose or upon cakes containing considerable dextrose, or +upon rice, show a very distinct increase in their resistance to +acetonitrile; such mice may recover from two or three times +the dose fatal to controls. (Controls are the animals fed in +the ordinary way without alcohol or in this case dextrose.—Ed.) +While these facts are not sufficient to justify the conclusion +that in many cases alcohol has not a true food value, +yet they are sufficient to indicate caution in applying, without +further consideration, the brilliant and very exact results +on the proteid sparing power of alcohol to practical +dietaries.”</p></div> + +<p>Various other experiments were made, but there is +not room here for a record of them.<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_403" id="Page_403">[Pg 403]</a></span></p> + +<p>In the summary Dr. Hunt says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It is believed that these experiments afford clear experimental +evidence for the view that extremely moderate +amounts of alcohol may cause distinct changes in certain +physiological functions, and that these changes may, under +certain circumstances, be injurious to the body. The results +also afford further evidence that in some respects the action +of alcohol as a food is different from that of carbohydrates, +and finally that in all probability certain physiological processes +in ‘moderate drinkers’ are distinctly different from +those in abstainers.”</p></div> + +<p>Professor Chittenden, of Yale University, has made +extensive researches upon alcohol and digestion. A +full report of these may be found in the “Physiological +Aspects of the Liquor Problem.” In the <i>Medical +News</i>, vol. 86, page 721, Professor Chittenden says +of the theory that alcohol is a food similar to sugar and +fats:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“It is, I think, quite plain that while alcohol in moderate +amounts can be burned in the body, thus serving as food in +the sense that it may be a source of energy, it is quite misleading +to attempt a classification or even comparison of +alcohol with carbohydrates and fats, since, unlike the latter, +alcohol has a most disturbing effect upon the metabolism or +oxidation of the purin compounds of our daily food. Alcohol, +therefore, presents a dangerous side wholly wanting in +carbohydrates and fats. The latter are simply burned up to +carbonic acid and water, or are transformed into glycogen +and fat, but alcohol, though more easily oxidizable, is at all +times liable to obstruct, in some measure at least, the oxidative +processes of the liver, and probably of other tissues +also, thereby throwing into the circulation bodies such as +uric acid, which are inimical to health; a fact which at once +tends to draw a distinct line of demarcation between alcohol +and the two non-nitrogeneous foods—fat and carbohydrate.”</p></div><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_404" id="Page_404">[Pg 404]</a></span></p> + +<p>Dr. S. P. Beebe, now of the Cornell Medical College +Laboratory, New York City, has made some very +valuable experiments with alcohol. It is well known +that impairment of the functions of certain organs results +in the appearance in the urine of nitrogeneous +compounds which do not normally occur there. In +certain diseases of the liver the same quantity of +nitrogen may be excreted as in health, but a portion +of it is in the form of acids never found in the urine +during health. Dr. Beebe, with this knowledge in +mind, sought to discover the effects of alcohol upon +the excretion of uric acid in man. Most of the experiments +were made on the same person, a young man in +good health, of regular habits, unaccustomed to the +use of alcohol in any form. Absolute alcohol, diluted +with water, whisky, ale, and port wine were used +at different times. Dr. Beebe reported his experiments +in the <i>American Journal of Physiology</i>, vol. 12, No. 1. +His conclusions are given as follows:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“After a consideration of these experiments, it hardly +seems possible to doubt that alcohol, even in what is considered +by the most conservative as a moderate amount, +causes an increase in the excretion of uric acid, and this +effect is seen almost immediately after taking the alcohol. +The following points indicate that the effect is due to a +toxic effect on the liver, thereby interfering with the oxidation +of the uric acid derived from its precursors in the +food: Alcohol taken without food causes no increase. The +maximum increase occurs at the same time after a meal as +it does when purin food but no alcohol is taken. Alcohol is +rapidly absorbed and passes at once to the liver, the organ +which has most to do with the metabolism of proteid cleavage +products.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_405" id="Page_405">[Pg 405]</a></span></p> +<p>“There is no evidence that the alcohol has merely hastened +the excretion of urates normally present in the blood; the +increased excretion means that a larger quantity has been in +circulation, and although it is classed by Van Noorden among +the substances easily excreted, still most physiologists would +consider the presence in the blood of this larger quantity as +undesirable. Certainly in pathological conditions it might +be harmful.</p> + +<p>“If we accept the origin of the increased quantity of uric +acid to be in the impaired oxidative powers of the liver, the +results of these experiments will have greater significance +than can be attributed to uric acid alone. For the impaired +function would affect other processes which are normally +accomplished by that organ, and the possibilities for entrance +into the general circulation of toxic substances, of +intestinal putrefaction, for instance, would be increased. The +liver performs a large number of oxidations and syntheses +designed to keep toxic substances from reaching the body +tissues, and if alcohol, in the moderate quantity which caused +the increase in uric acid excretion, impairs its power in this +respect, the prevalent ideas regarding the harmlessness of +moderate drinking need revision.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Winfield S. Hall, professor of physiology at the +Northwestern University Medical School, Chicago, has +interpreted these researches of Beebe and Hunt in a +very striking way. He says that they prove that the +oxidation of alcohol in the body is a protective oxidation, +the same as the oxidation of any other poisonous +substance by the liver. His views have such an important +bearing upon the commonly accepted theory +that alcohol is in some sense a food that they are given +here, somewhat abbreviated, as a fitting finish to this +chapter. Dr. Hall says:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The fact that alcohol is oxidized in the body has been +generally misunderstood. The first impression naturally was: +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_406" id="Page_406">[Pg 406]</a></span>‘Foods are Oxidized; Alcohol is Oxidized; therefore alcohol +is a food.’ But many difficulties appeared. A real food promotes +muscular, glandular and nerve activity, and its oxidation +maintains body temperature. But alcohol disturbs muscular, +glandular, and nervous activity, and its oxidation does +not maintain body temperature. When one eats a real food +it is assimilated largely by muscle tissue and is oxidized for +the purpose of liberating the life energy. When one ingests +alcohol it is carried by the blood to the tissues, mostly +to the liver, where it is oxidized, as any toxine would be, +for the purpose of making it harmless. Its oxidation liberates +heat energy but this energy cannot be utilized by the +body even for the maintenance of body temperature. If a +food is defined as a substance which, taken into the body, is +assimilated and used either to build or repair body structure, +or to be oxidized in the tissues to liberate the energy +used by the tissue in its normal activity, then alcohol is not +a real food.</p> + +<p>“But, if alcohol is not a real food, what is the significance +of its oxidation? It has been long known that the liver produces +oxidases and that it is the site of active oxidation of +mid-products of katabolism of toxins and of other toxic +substances. Alcohol, usually formed as an excretion of the +yeast plant, is also found as a mid-product of tissue katabolism. +On a priori grounds we should expect alcohol to be +oxidized in the liver along with leucin, tyrosin, uric acid, +xanthin bodies, and various amido bodies. There have recently +appeared two most important papers based upon extended +researches upon man and lower animals. These +researches practically clear up this knotty question.”</p></div> + +<p>Dr. Hall then reviews the work of Dr. Reid Hunt +and Dr. S. P. Beebe, and continues:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“The value of this work can hardly be over-estimated. In +the first place the rapid oxidation of the alcohol in the liver +is explained. <i>Alcohol itself being one of the toxic substances +which reach the liver from the alimentary canal is +at once attacked by the liver, and if the oncoming tide of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_407" id="Page_407">[Pg 407]</a></span>alcohol is not too great it will practically all be oxidized.</i></p> + +<p>“But the liver oxidation of other toxic substances is impaired +in the meantime so that they get past the liver to the +tissues, where they may do injury. Some of these toxins are +excreted unoxidized by the kidneys. There are three ways +of accounting for this condition: (1.) The oxidation capacity +of the liver is limited. The physiological limit of alcohol +ingestion is that amount which taxes the oxidation capacity +of the liver to its limit. When thus taxed all other toxic +substances including uric acid and the xanthin bodies pass +through the liver unoxidized to appear in the urine. (2.) +The presence of alcohol in the blood, through its toxic action +upon the liver cells, impairs the hepatic oxidation capacity +and thus permits toxic substances to pass unoxidized. (3.) A +combination of these conditions may represent the real situation. +It is hardly conceivable that the relation of alcohol to +the liver activity is not covered in the hypotheses above +formulated.</p> + +<p>“We may therefore accept it as practically demonstrated by +the researches of Beebe, Hunt, and others that the oxidation +of alcohol in the liver is simply one of the defensive +activities of that organ, <i>i. e.</i>, it is a protective oxidation and +belongs strictly in the same category with the oxidation of +uric acid, xanthin bodies, leucin, tyrosins, and the amido +acids.</p> + +<p>“The next question which arises is, why does the liver +select alcohol first and oxidize that substance to the exclusion +of other toxic substances up to the oxidation capacity? +The answer is probably to be found in the chemical +composition of alcohol.</p> + +<p>“It oxidizes very easily, much more so than any of the other +toxic substances which gain access to the liver. Its early +oxidation may be due to this fact alone, or in part to an +actual selection on the part of the liver. Another question +of importance: Is the energy liberated in the oxidation of +alcohol in the liver available for the use of the muscles, +nervous system, or glands?</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_408" id="Page_408">[Pg 408]</a></span></p> +<p>“If this question is answered affirmatively, then alcohol is a +food. If negatively then alcohol is not a food. Let us +reason together. All body oxidations may be classified in two +groups: (1.) <i>Active oxidations</i> which take place in the active +tissues—muscles, nervous system, or glands—and take place +incident to action. It is under the perfect control of the nervous +system and is proportional to normal activity. (2.) <i>Protective +oxidations</i> which take place in the liver. This class of +oxidation processes is wholly independent of the usual tissue +activity and is proportional to the ingestion of toxic substances +and quite independent of muscle action, brain action, or gland +action, other than liver action.</p> + +<p>“If the oxidation of alcohol in the liver belongs to class 1, +the following consequences should be found: (1.) The ingestion +of alcohol would lead to an increase in muscular power +and in the working capacity of the brain or glands. (2.) The +ingestion of alcohol would serve to maintain body temperature +in the healthy individual subjected to low external temperature. +(3.) The accession of muscle, brain, or gland activity +would be proportional to the amount of alcohol ingested, +but laboratory observations and general experience show that +none of these things are true; <i>i. e.</i>, the ingestion of alcohol +decreases muscle, brain, and gland work, and depresses body +temperature when external temperature is low.</p> + +<p>“In the nature of the case there can be no proportional relation. +The oxidation of alcohol does not therefore belong to +class 1. If the oxidation of alcohol in the liver belongs to +class 2, the following consequences would be found: (1.) The +ingestion of alcohol would be followed by its early oxidation +in the organs in question. (2.) If the oxidation capacity of +the liver is limited this capacity may be overloaded by exceeding +the physiological limit of alcohol. (3.) If the oxidation +capacity of the liver is taxed nearly to its limit in the +oxidation of uric acid, xanthins, and other toxic substances, +the introduction of alcohol may seriously interfere with this +protective oxidation by overtaxing the capacity. (4.) If the +oxidation capacity is overtaxed, an excess of uric acid, xan<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_409" id="Page_409">[Pg 409]</a></span>thin +bodies, and other toxic substances will get by this portal +and reach the active tissues or the kidneys. Now all of these +things take place, so we are forced to the conclusion that the +oxidation of alcohol is a protective oxidation. In the light of +this presentation the significance of Dr. Hunt’s work becomes +very clear. The alcohol given to the animals taxed the oxidation +capacity of the liver to the limit and left the organism +defenseless against bacterial or other toxic substances.”</p></div> + + + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_410" id="Page_410">[Pg 410]</a></span></p> +<h2><a name="CHAPTER_XVII" id="CHAPTER_XVII"></a>CHAPTER XVII.</h2> + +<h3>MISCELLANEOUS.</h3> + + +<p><span class="smcap">Alcohol Baths</span>:—The action of alcohol upon the surface +of the body is that of a refrigerant. Alcohol baths for +debility, weakness, and states of exhaustion are opposed by +non-alcoholic physicians. The old custom of bathing a new-born +babe with whisky was simply a superstition, and a +dangerous one, because the infant should not have a refrigerant +applied to its body so soon after leaving the warm +nest where it had been sheltered so long. Warm water is +the proper liquid for a baby’s bath until it becomes hardy. +There is nothing of strength imparted by an alcohol rub; +the ‘rub’ is good, but vinegar, or water, or olive oil can be +used according to what is desired. Alcohol is not necessary +internally nor externally. Its proper use is for mechanical +purposes and to give light and heat.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Wilhelmina Lemonade</span>:—Take four or five +rough-skinned oranges (according to size) and two +pounds of sugar, in big lumps. After having cleaned +the oranges, rub the sugar with them, till the +oranges are quite white—the sugar yellow. Place +the sugar in a big earthernware pan or jar, and add +three pints of <i>cold</i> water. Then cover it up and let +it stand two days, stirring it occasionally to help the +melting. Now take two ounces of citric acid, dissolved +in a little boiling water, and add it to the +syrup, stirring the whole. Then strain the whole +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_411" id="Page_411">[Pg 411]</a></span>through a fine sieve, covered with muslin, so that it +becomes perfectly clear. In well-corked bottles it +will keep for more than a year. Mix one-third of +the lemonade with two-thirds water. [Instead of +the oranges five or six lemons may be used.]</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Beverages for the Sick</span>:—Unfermented Grapejuice. Hot milk. Egg cream, made as follows: +Beat the white and yolk separately, add milk and +sugar, and stir well, flavor to suit taste. Egg lemonade—beat +yolk and sugar thoroughly, add lemon +and water, shake well, then add white, beaten stiff. +Barley water, made by boiling pearl barley five or +six hours, and straining the water from it; add milk +or cream if wished. These are used in the National +Temperance Hospital of Chicago.</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p><span class="smcap">Baths</span>:—“If all people understood the value of water to cool, +cleanse, invigorate and sustain life, and how to use it, <i>and +would use it</i>, one-half of all the afflictions from disease would be +removed; and the other half might be banished if all the people +understood how and what to eat, how to breathe, and the necessity +of daily vigorous exercise. A daily towel bath will do +more to counteract disease, and restore the body to its normal +health condition, than any other method or remedy yet discovered. +After the bath, the body should be thoroughly rubbed +with a crash or Turkish towel. Rub until a warm glow is produced. +This bath is a fine tonic if taken upon rising in the +morning.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Hot Water as a Medicine</span>:—“One is never,” says a +physician, “far from a pretty good medicine chest with hot +water at hand. It is a most useful assistant to the mother of a +family of small children, who is frightened often to find herself +confronted by a sudden illness of one of her flock, without her +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_412" id="Page_412">[Pg 412]</a></span>usual dependence—the family doctor. If the baby has croup, +fold a strip of flannel or a soft napkin lengthwise, dip into very +hot water, and apply to the child’s throat. Repeat and continue +the application till relief is had, which will be almost at +once. For toothache, or colic, or a threatened lung congestion, +the hot-water treatment will be found promptly efficacious if +resorted to. Nature needs only a little assistance at the first +sign of trouble to rally quickly in the average healthy child, and +often hot water is all that is wanted.”</p></div> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alcohol Injurious to the Insane</span>:—Dr. +Richard Maurice Bucke, whose valuable paper on +“The Evolution of the Mind” appeared in the December +number of the <i>Journal of Hygiene</i>, in a recent +report of the Asylum for the Insane in London, +Canada, makes the following statement concerning +the use of alcohol in the institution over which +he presides:—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“As we have given up the use of alcohol, we have needed +and used less opium and chloral; and as we have discontinued +the use of alcohol, opium and chloral, we have needed and +used less seclusion and restraint. I have, during the year +just closed, carefully watched the effect of the alcohol given, +and the progress of cases where, in former years, it would have +been given, and I am morally certain that the alcohol used +during the past year did no good. With humiliation I am +forced to admit that in the recent past my noble profession has +been to an alarming extent, and is still too much so, guilty of +producing many drunkards in the land, directly or indirectly, by +the reckless and wholesale manner in which so many of its +members have prescribed alcoholic stimulants in their daily +practice for all the aches and pains, coughs and colds, inflammations +and consumptions, fevers and chills, at the hour of +birth and at the time of death, and all intermediate points of +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_413" id="Page_413">[Pg 413]</a></span>life, to induce sleep and to promote wakefulness, and for all +real or imaginary ills.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Tobacco and the Eyesight</span>:—“Prof. Craddock says +that tobacco has a bad effect upon the sight, and a distinct disease +of the eye is attributed to its immoderate use. Many +cases in which complete loss of sight has occurred, and which +were formerly regarded as hopeless, are now known to be curable +by making the patient abstain from tobacco. These patients +almost invariably at first have color blindness, taking red +to be brown or black, and green to be light blue or orange. In +nearly every case, the pupils are much contracted, in some +cases to such an extent that the patient is unable to move about +without assistance. One such man admitted that he had +usually smoked from twenty to thirty cigars a day. He consented +to give up smoking altogether, and his sight was fully +restored in three and a half months. It has been found that +chewing is much worse than smoking in its effects upon the +eyesight, probably for the simple reason that more of the +poison is thereby absorbed. The condition found in the eye in +the early stages is that of extreme congestion only; but this, +unless remedied at once, leads to gradually increasing disease +of the optic nerve, and then, of course, blindness is absolute +and beyond remedy. It is, therefore, evident that, to be of any +value, the treatment of disease of the eye due to excessive +smoking must be immediate, or it will probably be useless.”—<i>Journal +of Inebriety.</i></p> + +<p>“Dr. Isaac Fellows was for many years a prominent physician +in Los Angeles. A temperance man, he was persuaded +by an old physician whom he loved to try for a year substituting +alcohol in drop doses in water for such patients as demanded +alcoholic stimulants. He was delighted with the result. +When his patients found they could not have wine, beer or +brandy under the guise of medicine, but must take it in drop +doses in water, as they did their other medicines, they speedily +learned to do without ‘a stimulant.’”—<i>Pacific Ensign.</i></p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_414" id="Page_414">[Pg 414]</a></span></p> + +<h5>ADVERTISED “CURES” FOR DRUNKENNESS.</h5> + +<p>“<i>Poudre Coza</i>, an English product, is sold at $3.00 for thirty +powders. On analysis these powders were found to contain +an impure form of sodium bicarbonate, together with +a little aromatic vegetable matter. Gloria Tonic was examined +by the Massachusetts Board of Health, and found to +consist of sugar of milk and cornstarch, with a small quantity +of ground leaves resembling those of senna. White +Ribbon Remedy was found to be made of milk sugar and +ammonium chloride. Of course such things are clearly +frauds, as they can have no power to destroy a craving for +liquor. The Infallible Drink Cure was 98 per cent. sugar +and 2 per cent. common table salt. Another ‘cure’ was made +of chlorate of potash and sugar. Cases of poisoning by +chlorate of potash are on record. Another ‘cure’ contained +tartar emetic, a dangerous poison. Most of the liquid ‘cures’ +for drunkenness sold prior to the passage of the National +Pure Food Law contained large quantities of cheap alcohol. +It is safe to say that practically all of the secret cures for +drunkenness are fraudulent, and some are dangerous.</p> + +<p>“If a man wants to quit drinking, he can be helped by a +proper diet, and by frequent use of the Turkish bath, or +even of the ordinary hot bath at home, with a quick cold +sponge or shower bath each morning as a tonic. The hot +bath is to draw out impurities from the system. The diet +should consist of plenty of fruit, nuts, grains and vegetables. +It is better to eat no meat. It has been fully demonstrated +in Lady Henry Somerset’s work with women drunkards +that a vegetarian diet is a great help in allaying the +alcohol crave. The Salvation Army, in England, have also +found by experience that a meat-free diet is a great aid in +overcoming the drink habit.</p> + +<p>“Dr. T. D. Crothers, who has for years conducted a large +sanitarium for the cure of inebriety, at Hartford, Connecticut, +says that a valuable remedy to break up the impulsive +craze for spirits is a strong infusion of quassia given in two-<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_415" id="Page_415">[Pg 415]</a></span>ounce +doses every hour. As desire for liquor abates the +quassia can be given less frequently, until it is no longer +needed.</p> + +<p>“Dr. Alexander Lambert, of Bellevue Hospital, New York, +has been treating drunkards and other drug habitues successfully +of late. A description of his treatment may be found +in <i>Success</i> for November, 1909.”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Medical Puffs of Whisky and Other Alcoholics</span>:— +“Every medical man knows how he is pestered with advertising +circulars of so-and-so’s genuine whisky, and what-do-you-call-em’s +extra stout, to say nothing of the tempting offers of +wines and spirits on sale with special discounts to medical men. +Other enterprising firms send samples or offer to send them +with the implied understanding that a testimonial is to be given, +or that at least the wares in question will be recommended to +patients. Even our medical papers have not always been incorruptible. +We have little expectation ourselves of being favored +with an offer of full-page advertisements of extraordinary +wines and spirits. We are not prepared to recommend them +except as vermin killers. Nor are we prepared to remain silent +as to their alleged virtues. The whole system of testimonials +is a huge imposture. Granted that the sample is all that it is +described as being, who can guarantee that what is served to +the public in the face of severe competition will be up to the +sample?</p> + +<p>“But there is another and a sadder view of the case. We +cannot believe that all the eulogies of all the medical trumpeters +of the wines and the spirits are wilfully false or even exaggerated. +It is a lamentable fact that a vast number of doctors +have a genuine faith in the value and virtue of these pernicious +drinks. It is not simply a question of medicinal use, though +even on that we should join issue. These things are vaunted +as valuable for the promotion of health in spite of all the accumulating +evidence to the contrary. We wish that these doctors +would carefully study this evidence. The pity of it is that the +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_416" id="Page_416">[Pg 416]</a></span>very worst offenders are the least likely to study it. We suppose +they must die out, and be replaced by men less prejudiced +and bound by the chain of alcoholic habit. We can only regret +that they should be doing so much harm in fastening the +fetters of drink on other people, and hindering their emancipation +from the evil customs which play havoc amongst us.”—<i>Medical +Pioneer.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Alcohol and Children</span>:—“Parents often labor under the +delusion that alcoholic drinks are good for children and act as +tonics. Mothers will put drops of brandy into the milk with +which their children are fed, increasing the quantity with the age +of the recipient. In the illness of children the same is given to +meet disturbances of the stomach or to increase growth and +development, without taking the advice of any medical man as +to the wisdom of the practice. This is all erroneous. The +excitement of the central nervous system under alcohol, excitement +which seems to be a relief to weariness and to give +strength, is nothing more than temporary at best, and injurious, +causing in fact symptoms of alcoholic poisoning, abnormal excitement, +ending, in extreme cases, in convulsions succeeded by +exhaustion of body and mind, and inducing a kind of paralysis. +Many cases of stomach and gastric catarrh in children followed +by emaciation and debility are due to the early administration +of alcoholic drinks; and impediment of growth from the same +cause is thereby produced. The most serious derangement is +that of the nervous system, and the development in the young, +under the influence of alcohol, of what is known as nervousness, +to which is added the moral paralysis with which the +habit of alcoholic drinking smites its victims in the very spring-time +of life.”—<span class="smcap">Prof. Demme</span>, of Berne, Switzerland.</p> + +<p>“The action of the New York Board of Health, in recommending +to tenement house parents, that on the hottest days of +summer a few drops of whisky be added to the water or food of +their infants, has received a strong protest and rebuke in a +meeting at Prohibition Park, where the opinions of eminent +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_417" id="Page_417">[Pg 417]</a></span>physicians, collected by the <i>Voice</i>, were read, condemning such +a course. A resolution of protest was also adopted.”—<i>Sel.</i></p> + +<p>“For nineteen years we lived with a physician whose success +may be estimated from this one item: He had between 1,600 +and 1,700 labor cases, and never once lost the mother, and only +twice the child, and what seems still more remarkable never +used instruments. When other physicians, as often happened, +would come to him to know how he did it, he always answered, +‘A woman will do anything if you only encourage her.’ Nor +was obstetrics his specialty—he had none.</p> + +<p>“In a fifteen years’ practice in Chicago and New York, where +these diseases are so very fatal, and he was much sought after +to treat them, he did not lose a case of scarlet fever, diphtheria +or cholera infantum which he managed himself, and saved +many a one where he was called in consultation, or after some +other physician. Now when such a man after an experience +more than fifty years long and as wide as the continent, gives it +as his unqualified opinion that wines, beers, liquors of every +kind, alcohol itself, are not medicines and should never be used +as such, for <span class="smcap">scientific</span> reasons, not to mention moral, is not +his opinion entitled to a hearing? Isn’t it probable it weighs +more than the doctor’s you were just quoting? Is it too great +a risk to act upon it?”—<i>Pacific Ensign.</i></p> + +<p>“A lady, Mrs. A., tenderly nurtured, refined, cultured, moving +in an influential position, belonged to a family in whom the +tendency to intemperance existed. Realizing the danger, she, +for seven years of her married life, adhered to total abstinence. +Illness came, and the doctor ordered wine; and her husband, +deaf to her arguments, insisted on her taking it. She fell into +habits of intemperance. Her husband died, and for a time she +pulled up and trained as a hospital nurse; but temptation prevailed, +and she fell from bad to worse. Loving hands received +her time after time, and at last placed her in an Inebriate +Home. For a short time she did well, but soon became unmanageable. +After another desperate period she entered a +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_418" id="Page_418">[Pg 418]</a></span>second home, but after leaving she yielded again, was twice in +prison, and fell into the lowest degradation and utter ruin, +surely deserving our deepest pity. Her doctor and her husband +had persisted in working her fall in spite of her own strongest +convictions.”—<i>Selected.</i></p> + +<p><span class="smcap">They did not Die.</span>—“Dr. Lord of Pasadena suffered +from rheumatism of the heart for more than half of a long lifetime. +No doctor ever felt his pulse (which intermitted) without +exclaiming, ‘Why, doctor, you have no business to be alive +with such a pulse,’—or something similar. For nineteen years +his wife never retired without having at least one medicine she +could put her hand on in the dark, the ammonia bottle within +reach, the electric battery ready to start like a fire-engine, and +preparations for heating water in less than no time. His acute +attacks usually came in the night—an uninterrupted night’s +sleep was something unknown to either the doctor or his wife +in all these years.</p> + +<p>“They lived in sight of an open grave, and seldom a week +passed when it did not seem as if death had actually occurred. +If ever a case called for alcoholic stimulants this one did. +But none were ever administered, none were ever kept in the +house. The doctor’s standing orders were: ‘If all the doctors +in the country order you to give me liquor, and say my +life depends upon it, don’t do it. Tell them I know more about +it than they do. It won’t save my life; it will only lessen what +little chance I have.’ All who knew about this case, and hundreds +did, were driven to the conclusion that if these two people, +one in this condition and the other feeble, could live all +alone as they did, miles from a doctor, and neighbors not near, +and could get along without alcoholics of any kind, everybody +can do the same everywhere. And the doctor finally wore out +his heart trouble and died of another disease.”—<i>Pacific Ensign.</i></p></div> + +<p>An English weekly journal is responsible for the +following anecdote:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_419" id="Page_419">[Pg 419]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“A Birmingham physician has had an amusing experience. +The other day a somewhat distracted mother brought her +daughter to see him. The girl was suffering from what is +known among people as ‘general lowness.’ There was nothing +much the matter with her, but she was pale and listless and did +not care about eating or doing anything. The doctor, after +due consultation, prescribed for her a glass of claret three +times a day with her meals. The mother was somewhat deaf, +but apparently heard all he said and bore off her daughter, determined +to carry out the prescription to the very letter. In ten +days’ time they were back again, and the girl looked a different +creature. She was rosy-cheeked, smiling and the picture of +health. The doctor congratulated himself on his diagnosis of +the case. ‘I am glad to see that your daughter is so much +better,’ he said. ‘Yes,’ exclaimed the excited and grateful +mother. ‘Thanks to you, doctor! She has had just what you +ordered. She has eaten carrots three times a day since we +were here, and sometimes oftener—and once or twice uncooked—and +now look at her!’”</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">The Rest Cure</span>:—“After all, the veneer of civilization is +quite thin. Scratch most people, and very near the surface you +come on the savage. This is specially true when they are sick. +They at once want charms and miracles to restore them to +health, and come to the doctor or ‘medicine man,’ as they +look upon him—with this demand: ‘I want something, doctor, +to fix me up.’ But he, unhappy man, has not wherewith to +satisfy them, unless he is a quack.</p> + +<p>“He knows that in most cases all he can do is to give advice +as to how best Nature may be allowed to effect a cure; for Nature +is the great physician, and the doctor’s main duty is to stand +by and see that she gets fair play. Nature’s chief cure, in a +large number of the diseases to which flesh is heir, is rest. +The tired man needs rest. The tired brain, the tired stomach, +the tired liver and kidneys, need the same rest.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_420" id="Page_420">[Pg 420]</a></span></p> +<p>“So, when the patient turns up with an overworked and exhausted +organ of some sort within him—be it what it may—heart, +brain or stomach—the true physician prescribes, first and +chiefly, not drugs, but rest.</p> + +<p>“Now, this is generally the advice the patient doesn’t want. +His desire is for a bottle of something, no matter how nasty it +may be, which shall ‘fix him up,’ and let him go on doing what +he has been doing previously. Common-sense is always at a +discount, and never more so than in this case. The tired brain-worker +doesn’t want to stop. Give him something to whip up +his brain and his body, something to drive the spurs into them. +‘What I want,’ he says, ‘is a really strong tonic’; though, if he +knew that before, what was the use of coming to the doctor? +Or he would like to be told to take a glass of whisky-and-water +when he is tired, which is the maddest and most disastrous +advice that could be given.</p> + +<p>“The man who has been ill-treating his stomach, eating too +much or too well, also demands a tonic—something to give him +an appetite so that he may eat more. And his poor overwrought +stomach is all the time crying out for rest.</p> + +<p>“So it is all along the line. The possessor of an inflamed and +swollen knee prays for a liniment to rub into it which will cure +it straight away, and is highly disgusted when told that he will +have to lie up for a week or two.</p> + +<p>“Again, for the tired stomach the cure is starvation. Let +the person live on his own fat, and a little milk-and-water for a +few days, and his stomach will take courage again and return +to work with renewed zest. But it is the most difficult thing in +the world to persuade the patient or his kind relatives of the +truth of this. There are many diseases in which, for a short +time at least, the less food the sick person has the better. But +the relatives are always much wiser than the doctor. They insist +‘that the strength must be kept up,’ and would like to force +the patient to eat more than he does when well. ‘You will let +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_421" id="Page_421">[Pg 421]</a></span>his strength down, doctor,’ is a common complaint, and one of +the difficulties hospital authorities have to face is to prevent +kind friends from smuggling in food to the inmates, who, in +their opinion, are being brutally starved.</p> + +<p>“I myself have cured people by making them rest—lie in bed +and starve. But the next time they were sick, <i>I wasn’t the +<a name="Page_421t" id="Page_421t"></a>doctor</i><a href="#Page_402tn">.”</a>—“<span class="smcap">Physician</span>” in <i>Our Federation</i>.</p> + +<p>“The blessings of sunlight and fresh air should be more appreciated. +The sun is the godfather of us all. The source of +all light, heat, electricity and energy, what wonder that it was +once worshipped as the Creator. The future will recognize it +not only as the best disinfectant, an all powerful preventive of +disease, but also as a wonderful healer of disease. The more +people can be taught to live in pure air out of doors, and bask +in the rays of the sun, the less of disease there will be to +prevent.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. C. H. Shepard</span>, Brooklyn, N. Y.</p> + + +<h4>ALCOHOL TESTED.</h4> + +<p>“Some years ago Dr. Beddoes, a physician of eminence, was +very anxious to put to the test the disputed question as to the +power of alcoholic liquors to give strength to the system. He +discovered that those who had most calls upon their physical +endurance were the smiths who were engaged in forging ship’s +anchors, for at one moment they would be exposed to a heat so +fierce that one marveled that any human organization could endure +exposure to it, and then their work would call them away +to a temperature that was chilly and cold, added to which all +the time their work lasted they were bathed in a profuse perspiration, +the demands upon their physical energy were so +great. To counteract this perpetual drain upon their system +they were in the habit of drinking unlimited quantities of beer, +which their masters provided for them as a matter of course, +and a <i>sine qua non</i>. One day, as they were resting from their +work at midday, Dr. Beddoes made his appearance amongst +some of these men who were employed in a certain foundry, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_422" id="Page_422">[Pg 422]</a></span>and submitted a formal proposition to them, to this effect, that +twelve of their number, the strongest and stanchest, should be +selected for an experiment, and they should work for a week, +six of them drinking only water, and the other six taking their +beer as usual. His proposition was laughed to scorn. The +men would not hear of it. ‘Look here, mate,’ said their +spokesman, ‘do you want us to be all dead men; you don’t +know what our work is, and how it takes all a man’s strength +to weld an anchor. Why, if we did not have our beer and +plenty of it, it would be all up with us in a brace of shakes.’</p> + +<p>“The doctor said: ‘I should be very sorry for any harm to +come to you. You know I am a doctor, and I will be constantly +at hand to see if any of you are going wrong, and I +promise that if I see any of you breaking down I will at once +stop my experiment.’ And then taking out of his pocket ten +crisp five-pound notes, he displayed them to the anchor smiths. +‘I will put down these notes, £50 in all; six of you shall try +water for one week honestly and fairly; if you pull through +without giving in, the £50 shall be yours; if not, I’ll take the +£50 back again. Is it a bargain?’</p> + +<p>“This clenched the matter, and very soon the doctor’s offer +was accepted, and a gang of six men volunteered to begin +their work on the Monday without beer. The beer drinkers +did their best to chaff the water drinkers, and aggravated them +by taking good care to show them how very nice it was to have +recourse to unlimited beer. The water drinkers kept firm, and +the first day, to their astonishment, found that they could do +just as much work as the rest of their mates. On Tuesday the +water drinkers began to crow over the beer drinkers, for they +found that, while the latter complained and grumbled at the +heat, they were enabled to take the work in a philosophical +kind of way. Wednesday, Thursday and Friday wore away, +and the teetotal band became more and more triumphant, the +laugh was all on their side, for not only did they feel more +comfortable than their beer-loving companions, but the £50 +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_423" id="Page_423">[Pg 423]</a></span>came nearer and nearer, and at last, on Saturday, when the +time for finishing work came, they threw down their tools and +their hammers, and crowded up to the doctor to claim the +prize, and to give a faithful record of their experiences; and +one and all declared that they had done their hard work with +more ease and comfort to themselves than ever it had been +done before, and, instead of feeling tired and jaded, as they +often did on the Saturday afternoon, they were quite ready to +begin work again, and if the doctor had another £50 to dispose +of, they would most gladly give him a chance of protracting his +experiment for another week. The doctor expressed himself +perfectly satisfied with the trial which had already taken place, +and left the place amidst three hearty cheers, while the men +proceeded to discuss the ins and outs of the matter among +themselves.”—<i>National Advocate.</i></p> + + +<h4>BEER-DRINKING INJURES HEALTH.</h4> + +<p>“I think there is no doubt that beer-drinking is deleterious +to health, and personally I have never seen any case of disease +where I thought it useful. I believe it is more deleterious +to health than the stronger spirits, and this opinion is +derived from the report of the actuaries’ investigations for +our insurance companies a few years ago.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. John M. +Dodson</span>, Dean of the Medical Department of the University +of Chicago.</p> + +<p>“My connection with large medical institutions for many +years past has given me, I think, an excellent opportunity to +observe the effect of beer-drinking and the use of other +alcoholic liquors in many cases. I can say as a result of my +own observation that beer-drinking has a very pernicious +effect upon nearly every organ of the body. It produces +disease of the stomach and digestive tract, of the heart and +circulating system, of the kidneys and liver, and of the nervous +system. In addition to this it lessens the vigor and +vital resistance of the whole body, makes the beer drinker +very much more susceptible to infection such as pneumonia, +and other acute infections, and also lessens his ability to +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_424" id="Page_424">[Pg 424]</a></span>recover from illnesses of any kind. An untold amount of +misery and disease would be avoided if the use of beer and +other intoxicating liquors could be wiped off the face of the +earth.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. W. H. Riley</span>, Battle Creek Sanitarium, Battle +Creek, Mich.</p> + +<p>In the report of Bellevue Hospital, New York City, for +1904, Dr. Alexander Lambert, in speaking of delirium tremens, +says: “The delirium tremens from beer does not come +on so readily as that from whisky, but is slower in clearing +up.” Page 138 of report.</p> + +<p>“Apart from its toxic effect it is seldom realized how +harmful beer may be by promoting obesity, and, in susceptible +persons, favoring dilatation of the stomach.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. E. P. +Joslin</span>, Professor in Harvard Medical School.</p> + +<p>“It is not the concentrated alcoholic liquors alone that cause +heart and kidney trouble but pre-eminently the continued immoderate +use of beer. Nothing is more false than the belief +that the progressive dislodgement of other alcoholic +drinks by beer will diminish the destructive influences of +alcoholism. * * * It has been conclusively established by +thousandfold experiments that soldiers in all climates, in +heat, cold and rain, endure best the most fatiguing marches +when they are absolutely deprived of alcoholic drinks.”—<span class="smcap">Prof. +G. Von Bunge</span>, M. D., Basle, Switzerland.</p> + +<p>“Beer, wine and spirits furnish no element capable of +entering into the composition of blood, muscular fibre, or +anything which is the seat of vital principle. If a man drinks +daily 8 or 10 quarts of the best Bavarian beer in a year he +will have taken into his system as much nourishment as is +contained in a five-pound loaf of bread.”—<i>Liebig, the great +German chemist.</i></p> + +<p>“Beer-drinker’s heart is a term well-known to the physicians +of our large hospitals, and indicates a special condition +of unhealthy enlargement of the heart due to dilatation, +accompanied by some increase of tissue and of fat. Doctors +Bauer and Bollinger found that in Munich one in every sixteen +of the hospital patients died from this disorder. It is +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_425" id="Page_425">[Pg 425]</a></span>common in Germany—the land of beer-drinking—and proves +incontestably that the habit of drinking even such a mild +alcoholic beverage as lager-beer is one that is undesirable +and unwise.”—<i>From “Alcohol and the Human Body,” by Sir +Victor Horsley, M. D., London.</i></p> + +<p>“Nothing is more erroneous from the physician’s standpoint, +than to think of diminishing the destructive effects of +alcoholism by substituting beer for other alcoholic drinks, or +that the victims of drink are found only in those countries +where whisky helps the people of a low grade of culture to +forget their poverty and misery.”—<span class="smcap">Prof. Strumpel</span>, Breslau, +Germany.</p> + +<p>“The result of extolling beer as the mightiest enemy of +whisky and brandy has been that the consumption of the +distilled liquors has changed very little, while to these liquors +has been added beer, the use of which has led to a +great and still increasing beer alcoholism. * * *</p> + +<p>“The beer drinker who is not at all a drunkard in the +popular sense, is very frequently the victim of chronic inflammation +of the kidneys. * * * An enlarged and fatty +condition of the liver, marked by a dull pain in the region +of the organ, often follows from the habitual use of beer. +The death-rate from liver diseases among brewers of beer +in England is more than double that in all other occupations. +* * * Beer-drinkers have a marked tendency to enlargement +of the stomach, and to chronic diarrhoea. Beer +causes also inflammation of the nerves. This is often announced +by ‘rheumatic’ pains in the legs. * * * Beer alcoholism, +as well as alcoholism in general, lowers the resistance +of the body to all diseases by injuring most of the +organs. And herein lies the chief danger in the general wide-spread +use of beer. The drinker is especially open to attacks +of infectious disease. * * * The brutalizing effect of +beer-alcoholism is shown most clearly by the fact that in Germany +crimes of personal violence, particularly dangerous +bodily injuries, occur most frequently in Bavaria where there +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_426" id="Page_426">[Pg 426]</a></span>is the highest consumption of beer.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Hugo Hoppe</span>, Nerve +Specialist, Konigsberg, Germany.</p> + +<p>“The life insurance companies make a business of estimating +men’s lives, and can only make money by making correct +estimates of whatever influences life. Now they +expect a man otherwise healthy, who is addicted to beer-drinking, +will have his life shortened from 40 to 60 per cent. +For instance if he is twenty years old and does not drink +beer he may reasonably expect to live until he is 61. If he +is a beer-drinker he will probably not live to be over 35. +If he is 30 years old when he begins to drink beer he will +probably drop off somewhere between 40 and 45 instead of +living to 64 as he should. There is no sentiment, prejudice +or assertion about these figures. They are simply cold-blooded +business facts, derived from experience, and the +companies invest their money on them just the same as a +man pays so many dollars for so many feet of ground or +bushels of wheat.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. S. S. Thorn</span>, Toledo, Ohio, in U. S. +Senate Document, published in 1901.</p> + +<p>“Fatty degeneration of various organs is frequently witnessed +in beer-drinkers. Diabetes mellitus is frequently due +to beer-drinking, and is made much worse by its continuance. +In Germany more than half of the cases in the inebriate +asylums enter from beer-drinking. In Bavaria, the women +are not able properly to suckle their children because of the +universal consumption of their favorite national drink. Indeed, +so grave are the evils caused by beer-drinking that +the fight against beer should now be conducted as strenuously +as that against stronger liquors.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. Legrain</span>, Paris, +France.</p></div> + + +<h4>DRUG DRINKS.</h4> + +<p>In the report of the President’s Homes Commission, +Senate Document 644, may be found a list of +soft drinks examined by the Bureau of Chemistry. +The report says:<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_427" id="Page_427">[Pg 427]</a></span>—</p> + +<div class="blockquot"><p>“Attention is directed to the danger of soft drinks containing +caffeine, and extract of coca leaf, the active principle of +the latter being cocaine. * * * We have seen how the opium +habit may be acquired by the use of the various proprietary or +secret preparations, and so the cocaine habit may be developed +by the use of these much lauded soft drinks. * * * No +wonder that insanity and diseases of the nervous system are +on the increase.”</p> + +<p>The following is a list of drinks examined by the Bureau of +Chemistry. Investigation showed that these contained both +caffeine and extract of coca leaf:</p> + +<p>Afri Cola, Ala Cola, Cafe Coca, Carre Cola, Celery Cola, +Chan Ola, Chera Cola, Coca Beta, Coca Cola, Pilsbury’s Coke, +Cola Coke, Cream Cola, Dope, Four Kola, Hayo Kola, Heck’s +Cola, Kaye Ola, Koca Nola, Koke, Kola Ade, Kola Kola, Kola +Phos, Koloko, Kos Kola, Lime Cola, Lima Ola, Mellow Nip, +Nerv Ola, Revive Ola, Rocola, Rye Ola, Standard Cola, Toka +Tona, Tokola, Vim-O, French Wine of Coca, Wise Ola.</p> + +<p>The manufacturers of some of those listed claim that their +coca extract is prepared from a decocainized coca leaf, the +refuse product discarded in the manufacture of cocaine. The +Coca Cola company claims that their coca extract is now without +cocaine, and most of the recent analyses show this to be +true, yet the Pure Food Commissioner of North Dakota says +in his report for 1907 that Coca Cola as examined by him, +“Gave a reaction for cocaine.” It is easy to see that so long +as even refuse coca leaves are used some cocaine may at times +be in the product.</p> + +<p>As cocaine is the most destructive drug known to humanity +its presence in any of the so-called temperance drinks is a +frightful evil calling for speedy legislation. It is practically +impossible to cure a person of the cocaine habit. This drug +causes insomnia, dyspepsia, chronic palpitations, and complete +paralysis of will-power, with a tendency to criminal acts. +When a person becomes habituated to its use he suffers torments +when not under its influence. The real cocaine fiend +will rob or kill to get the drug. What can be thought of men, +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_428" id="Page_428">[Pg 428]</a></span>who knowing the deadly nature of this drug, will hide it away +in a drink sold as harmless to children and women who would +never touch beer or wines? It is placed in the drink to form +a craving for that drink and thus create a demand that will +enrich the conscienceless manufacturers.</p> + +<p>The following preparations were found to contain caffeine, +but there was no evidence to the effect that coca leaf in any +form had been used in their manufacture:</p> + +<p>Calcycine, Celery Cocoa, Citro Cola, Deep Rock Ginger Ale, +Fosko, Heck’s Star Pepsin, Koke, Koke Ola, Kalafra, Kumfort, +Lime Juice and Kola, Lon Kola, Meg-O, Mexicola, Pau +Pau Cola, Pedro, Pepsi Cola, Speed Ball, To-Ko, Vril.</p> + +<p>The report says that the following list were not examined +but from their names, and from the evidence submitted, they +contain either caffeine or coca leaf extract, or both: Charcola, +Cherry Kola, Cola Soda, Cola Ginger, Field’s Coca, Imported +French Cola, Jacob’s Kola, Koko Ale, Kola Cream, +Kola Pepsin Celery Wine Tonic, Kola Vena, Loco Kola, +Mintola, Mate, Pikmeup, Ro-Cola, Schelhorn’s Coca, Vine +Cola, Viz.</p> + +<p>Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, chief of the Bureau of Chemistry, +says that the sale of all such drinks should be prohibited.</p> + +<p>Caffeine is a drug much used in headache remedies. It is +derived from the kola nut, and from tea and coffee. It is +also made artificially from uric acid occurring in the guano +or bird manure deposits of South America. This bird manure +product is said to be used in some of the drinks while +in others caffeine obtained from refuse tea sweepings is used. +The sales-manager of the Coca Cola Company says the caffeine +in their product is made from tea. It is claimed by +the manufacturers of caffeine drinks that they are as harmless +as tea or coffee. But physicians advise against the use +of tea and coffee for children and for delicate, nervous people, +and every intelligent person knows that these drinks +should not be indulged in immoderately. The secret caffeine +drinks at the soda-fountain are not warned against because +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_429" id="Page_429">[Pg 429]</a></span>few people know of what they are made. So it frequently +happens that children whose parents do not permit them to +drink tea and coffee are taking caffeine in a much more injurious +form at the drug stores.</p> + +<p>Dr. Harvey W. Wiley, Chief of the Bureau of Chemistry, +says: “When caffeine is separated from tea and coffee, and +used as a separate drug, it exerts a much more specific action +upon the system than when in natural combination. Its general +effect is to induce that unhappy state described as nervousness, +with deranged digestion and impaired health.” Dr. +H. H. Rusby, Dean of the College of Pharmacy, of Columbia +University, New York City, a high authority, says: +“Caffeine is a genuine poison, both acute and chronic. Taken +in the form of a beverage it tends to the formation of a +drug habit, quite as characteristic, though not so effective, +as ordinary narcotics. Permanent disorders of the cardiac +function, and of the cerebral circulation, result from its +continued use.”</p> + +<p>The <i>Druggists Circular</i>, for May, 1908, contained a query +from a druggist as to a good formula for a kola nut soda +syrup. The answer was in part as follows: “There are two +kinds of druggists. One kind puts any and every kind of +stuff into stock, and passes it out to his customers, young +and old, ignorant or learned, foolish or wise, his only desire +being to get a profit. The other kind of druggist refuses to +stock some things at all. Kola drinks owe their vogue to +the caffeine which they contain. Caffeine is a poison which +is cumulative in its effects, and an excess of which has not +infrequently caused death. We believe you would better be +on record as discouraging rather than encouraging the growth +of the caffeine habit, especially among young people, who +constitute a large part of the soda-water trade.”</p> + +<p>The <i>London Lancet</i> of January 25, 1908, reports the results +of experiments made in Paris with kola given to horses +to determine its action in relieving fatigue. It apparently +diminished fatigue, but the horses receiving it lost more +weight than those to whom it was not given. The experi<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_430" id="Page_430">[Pg 430]</a></span>menter +said this showed that kola (caffeine) like alcohol, can +give the tissues a lash with a whip, but that such energy, +artificially produced, is at the expense of the organism. So, +when people see the alluring advertisements of caffeine +drinks which “relieve fatigue,” let them beware of the relief +which carries with it injury to the body.</p> + +<p>Of the most widely advertised of these caffeine drinks the +government report says: “The prevalence of the ‘Coca Cola +fiend’ is becoming a matter of great importance and concern.” +(See volume on Social Betterment of Senate Document +644, page 268.) M. M. A.</p> + + +<h4>SPECIAL MEDICAL DIRECTIONS FOR WOMEN.</h4> + +<p>“In the treatment of diseases of women, alcohol has been +considered a very important remedy. Because it affords relief +from pain, many resort to its use during painful menstruation. +Each month either whisky, or some medicine containing +a liberal supply of alcohol, is considered a necessity.</p> + +<p>“The alcohol habit is not infrequently formed in this way. +I have in my mind several cases of inebriety which were +traceable to the habit of taking something to relieve pain +at these periods. A woman whose husband held a high +official position, thus acquired a craving for alcohol and +became a confirmed drinker. He was finally compelled to +place her in an institution for treatment.</p> + +<p>“Alcohol affords relief, not by lessening the internal congestion +which causes the pain, but by paralyzing or benumbing +the nervous system. In fact, alcohol, instead of +relieving, aggravates the internal congestion. It is a deceiver, +for it makes the patient believe she is benefited when +in fact the condition is made worse. The uterus has become +more congested by its use, and when the paralyzing +effect of the alcohol has worn off the pain will be found +more severe, and the demand for alcohol increased correspondingly. +The only safe and wise plan when suffering +from pain due to internal congestion is to remove the cause. +If uterine misplacement exists suitable treatment must be +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_431" id="Page_431">[Pg 431]</a></span>taken to correct this. Almost immediate relief from pain +due to congestion of the pelvic organs may be obtained by +taking a hot full bath. A hot foot or leg bath is also a good +treatment since the warming of the extremities quickens the +circulation in the limbs and relieves congestion in the pelvic +region.</p> + +<p>“There are various forms of dysmenorrhea or painful menstruation +and each form has a treatment by itself. The congestive +type which is due to taking cold is better relieved by +a hot sitz bath before the date expected, the temperature of +the water should be 101°-103° with the feet in water a degree +or two hotter. If at the time of the period the pain +still continues, an enema or vaginal douche will usually give +the necessary relief unless the patient should be exposed to +cold by allowing the hands, arms, feet or legs to become +chilled.</p> + +<p>“Many women do not dress their limbs warmly enough at +any time. Just before the menstrual period the tendency is +for the pelvic organs to become congested; there is a greater +tendency to cold feet then, than at any other time. I would +therefore advise warmer clothing on the limbs at such times. +The drinking of hot pepper tea, ginger tea, etc., is a pernicious +practice, for these irritants inflame the mucous membrane +of the stomach and intestines. Hot lemonade or hot +water will afford the same relief without leaving an inflamed +surface behind to be irritated by the next meal.</p> + +<p>“There are some cases of great constriction of the uterine +canal which have reflex irritability in the stomach. Those +having the stomach affected cannot take food, the least +thing is rejected. It is best for such to remain quiet in bed, +applying heat to the stomach and abdomen and to the feet +until relief is experienced. Those suffering from headache +should also remain quiet in bed. Some resort to anodynes +and form the habit of using codeine, morphine. All these +are bad and should be avoided. I have never found it necessary +to give one dose of either to relieve pain at such +times. Hot applications with the enema, vaginal douche, or +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_432" id="Page_432">[Pg 432]</a></span>foot bath, has usually been all that was required.</p> + +<p>“I recall many cases of severe pain where the extremities +were cold and clammy and the entire body was in a hysterical +contraction that were immediately relieved by a hot +vaginal douche. The muscles relaxed, the patient warmed +up and recovered nicely.</p> + +<p>“For securing sleep in insomnia, a hot toddy is often used, +but a quicker and better effect can be gained by a hot, or +neutral bath. The latter given at 99° or 100° for twenty +minutes will produce sleep and refreshment, as it equalizes +the circulation by bringing the blood to the surface.</p> + +<p>“It is safer under all circumstances to do without alcohol +or other dangerous drugs in treatment of these diseases.”—<span class="smcap">Dr. +Lauretta E. Kress</span>, Washington, D. C.</p> + +<p><span class="smcap">Note</span>—An experienced nurse says that prompt relief in +painful menstruation may often be found by sitting upon a +toilet water-jar half full or more of hot water. The steam +rises and the heat relieves.</p> + + +<h4>TOTAL ABSTINENCE AND LIFE INSURANCE.</h4> + +<p>Nothing shows more clearly and convincingly that alcoholic +liquors have a tendency to shorten life than the figures +published by life insurance companies. A most interesting +and valuable paper upon this theme was read before +the Actuarial Society of America, in 1904, by Mr. Joel G. +Van Cise, actuary of the Equitable Life Assurance Society +of the United States. In it he gives the experience of different +life insurance companies which have separate sections +for total abstainers and non-abstainers. The Mutual Life +Insurance Company of New York, one of the large companies, +showed after a few years’ experience with the two +sections a death-rate 23 per cent. higher among the drinkers +than among the abstainers. The Sceptre Life for the years +from 1884 to 1903, inclusive, gave the following: Expected +deaths of abstainers, 1,440; actual deaths, 792, being 55 per +cent. of the expected. Expected deaths of non-abstainers, +2,730; actual deaths, 1,880, or 79 per cent. of the expected. +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_433" id="Page_433">[Pg 433]</a></span>The Scottish Temperance Life from 1883 to 1902 gave the +following: Abstainers, expected deaths, 936; actual deaths, +420, or 45 per cent. of the expected. Non-abstainers, expected +deaths, 319; actual deaths, 225, or 71 per cent. of +the expected.</p> + +<p>Mr. Van Cise goes on to show that the statistics which +have been published from time to time, giving the percentages +of mortality in the various occupations of life, invariably +show a higher death-rate among those engaged in the +liquor business than among those engaged in other lines of +work, except such as are specially hazardous. He says: +‘The higher death-rate among liquor dealers is so universally +recognized by life assurance companies that a number of +them will not issue policies, even on the lives of the richest +brewers, upon any terms, and not one of the companies, +to my knowledge, admits liquor dealers upon as advantageous +terms as those engaged in other ordinary occupations.’ +He then quotes from a circular sent to the agency force of a +prominent United States company, in which attention is +called to a rule which forbids the taking of any risks on bartenders: +‘Saloonkeepers, generally, not taken, but best of +this class may be accepted on 10 or 15 year endowments +only.’ Others connected more remotely with the liquor business +might be taken with a charge of $5.00 per thousand +extra. The circular of instructions adds that the limitations +of liquor dealers are made necessary ‘by the very excessive +rate of mortality found to exist among persons so employed.’</p> + +<p>Mr. Van Cise closed his address before the Actuaries’ Society +by saying: ‘I contend that the facts given in this +paper show conclusively that the effect of total abstinence is +to lower the death-rate, and increase the average duration of +human life.’</p> + +<p>The Equitable Company had a section for total abstainers +for a few years which was discontinued on account of +the new insurance laws which came into effect in 1907. The +actuary writes in response to inquiry: ‘We are very careful +in our selection of risks, and only those who drink in +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_434" id="Page_434">[Pg 434]</a></span>moderation will be accepted. I think it safe to say that, +other things being equal, all American life insurance companies +would consider a total abstainer a more desirable +risk than a moderate drinker.’</p> + +<p>The United Kingdom Temperance and General Provident +Institution, of London, is a large and successful company +which was organized in 1840, expressly for total abstainers, +because at that time larger premiums were asked from abstainers +than from drinkers, the common opinion then being +that alcoholic liquors were necessary to health. In 1846, this +company added a general section, in which carefully selected +moderate drinkers were accepted, but each section was kept +entirely separate from the other. This separation has continued +to the present time, both classes paying the same +premiums, but sharing in profits according to the earnings +of the section to which the members belong. From 1866 to +1900, for every 100 deaths in the temperance section there +were 137 deaths in the moderate drinking section, based on +a corresponding number of lives at risk. The dividends for +a recent five years average $20 to the temperance members, +and $17 to the drinking members.</p> + +<p>The actuary of this English company, Mr. Roderick Mackenzie +Moore, read a paper before the Institute of Actuaries, +in 1903, in which he reviewed the work of this company during +its history of sixty years’ experience with abstainers +and over fifty with non-abstainers. He showed that there +has been no marked difference in the number of policies in +force in the two sections, and the average amount of the +policies in each section has been about the same, so that the +comparison is as fair as could possibly be made. He gives +these figures: ‘Non-abstainers, male, expected deaths, 8,911; +actual deaths, 8,947; per cent. of actual to expected, 100.4. +Abstainers, male, expected deaths, 6,899; actual deaths, 5,124; +per cent. of actual to expected, 74.3.’ This shows a difference +of 26.1 per cent. between the actual and expected deaths +of abstainers and moderate drinkers, and the full figures +show the death rate among the drinkers to be 35 per cent. +higher than among the abstainers.</p> +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_435" id="Page_435">[Pg 435]</a></span></p> +<p>The American Temperance Life Insurance Association +was organized in 1887. It gives a lower premium rate to +members of the abstainers’ section than to those in the general +section. The circulars sent out by this company state +that the average life of moderate drinkers is thirty-five and +a half years; tipplers, fifty-one years; total abstainers, sixty-four +and one-fifth years.</p> + +<p>Very interesting is the result of an inquiry made of various +insurance companies not long ago as to whether they +consider the habitual user of intoxicating beverages as good +an insurance risk as the total abstainer; ‘if not, why not?’ +All but two out of forty-one companies answered, ‘No.’ +The two answered, ‘Depends on quantity used.’ In answer +to the ‘Why not?’ the Etna said, ‘Drink diseases the system +and shortens life’; Hartford Life, ‘Moderate use lays foundation +for disease’; Knights of the Maccabees, ‘Drink tends +to destroy life’; Knights Templar and Masons’ Life Indemnity, +‘Drink lessens ability to overcome disease’; Sun Life, +‘Drink injures constitution. Habit apt to grow’; Massachusetts +Mutual Life, ‘Drink causes organic changes. Reduces +expectation of life nearly two-thirds.’ The rest of the +answers are much the same as these.—<i>M. M. A.</i></p></div> + +<hr style="width: 65%;" /><p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_i_i" id="Page_i_i">[Pg i]</a></span></p> + +<h2><a name="INDEX" id="INDEX"></a>INDEX</h2> + +<p> +Abbott, Dr. A. C., <a href="#Page_264">264</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a><br /> +<br /> +Abdominal bandage, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br /> +<br /> +Abel, Prof. J. J., <a href="#Page_128">128</a><br /> +<br /> +Abernethy, Dr., <a href="#Page_36">36</a><br /> +<br /> +Acetanilid, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a><br /> +<br /> +Acetic acid in pharmacy, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_136">136</a><br /> +<br /> +Acid drinks kill bacilli, <a href="#Page_150">150</a><br /> +<br /> +Adelung, Dr. Edward Von, <a href="#Page_326">326</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a><br /> +<br /> +Adynamic disease, <a href="#Page_272">272</a><br /> +<br /> +Aiken, Dr. J. M., <a href="#Page_376">376</a><br /> +<br /> +Alabama law and alcoholic prescriptions, <a href="#Page_27">27</a><br /> +<br /> +Albumen, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a><br /> +<br /> +Alcohol,<br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">food claims, <a href="#Page_112">112-114</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">a mocker, <a href="#Page_364">364</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">a narcotic, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">a poison, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">injurious to living cells, <a href="#Page_275">275</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">advance in study of, <a href="#Page_380">380</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">affinity for blood and tissues, <a href="#Page_114">114</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">affinity for water, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">and foods, action contrasted, <a href="#Page_406">406</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">and empty stomach, <a href="#Page_100">100</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">mental work, <a href="#Page_400">400</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">anti-spasmodic, <a href="#Page_124">124</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">apparent benefits; deceptive warmth from evanescent, <a href="#Page_108">108</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">anæsthetic and paralyzant, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">anæsthetic effect deceptive, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">antipyretic, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">as medicine, <a href="#Page_96">96-130</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">as medicine, causes waste of force, <a href="#Page_83">83</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">as medicine, diminished use, <a href="#Page_20">20</a>, <a href="#Page_53">53-57</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">as medicine, need of popular education regarding, <a href="#Page_297">297</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">as medicine, opposition to by W. C. T. U., <a href="#Page_21">21-27</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">causes disease, <a href="#Page_28">28-36</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">as sedative, <a href="#Page_127">127</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">as tonic, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">beginning of scientific study, <a href="#Page_11">11</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">a cause of Bright’s disease, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">causes malnutrition, <a href="#Page_284">284</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">craving, <a href="#Page_140">140</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">delusion that it “supports”, <a href="#Page_294">294</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">depressant, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">dangerous in pneumonia, <a href="#Page_201">201</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">difference in action from carbohydrates and fats, <a href="#Page_403">403</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">diminishes arterial pressure, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">effect on respiration, <a href="#Page_263">263</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">experiments, <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_266">266</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_392">392-405</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Alcoholic diseases ascribed to other causes, <a href="#Page_33">33</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">drink, no danger in sudden stopping, <a href="#Page_293">293</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">drinks, stories of life sustained on, <a href="#Page_112">112</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">dyspepsia, <a href="#Page_63">63</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">proprietary medicines, <a href="#Page_299">299-334</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Alcohol, medical use bulwark of liquor-traffic, <a href="#Page_96">96</a>, <a href="#Page_97">97</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_361">361</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">medical use causes death, <a href="#Page_260">260</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">medical use delays recovery, <a href="#Page_115">115</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">medical use evidence against, <a href="#Page_336">336-391</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">medical use result of habit and tradition, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295</a>, <a href="#Page_298">298</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">medical use, Toledo Blade on, <a href="#Page_358">358</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">medical use, mortality increased by, <a href="#Page_247">247-261</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Ammonia, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a><br /> +<br /> +Anæsthesia, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a><br /> +<br /> +Anæmia, <a href="#Page_141">141</a><br /> +<br /> +Anders, Dr. Howard S., <a href="#Page_370">370</a><br /> +<br /> +Angina pectoris, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a><br /> +<br /> +Animal poison, <a href="#Page_206">206-211</a><br /> +<br /> +Anthrax, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a><br /> +<br /> +Alcoholism, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a><br /><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_ii_i" id="Page_ii_i">[Pg ii]</a></span> +Ale, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a><br /> +<br /> +Alkalies for stomach, <a href="#Page_174">174</a><br /> +<br /> +Alum, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a><br /> +<br /> +American Association for Study of Inebriety, <a href="#Page_329">329</a><br /> +<br /> +American Druggist and Patent Medicine Agitation, <a href="#Page_26">26</a><br /> +<br /> +American Medical Association, declaration on alcohol, <a href="#Page_14">14</a><br /> +<br /> +Antikamnia, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a><br /> +<br /> +Anti-Tuberculosis Congress resolution, <a href="#Page_154">154</a><br /> +<br /> +Apoplexy, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a><br /> +<br /> +Appetite, loss of, <a href="#Page_142">142</a><br /> +<br /> +Aschaffenberg, Prof., <a href="#Page_400">400</a><br /> +<br /> +Association of Abstaining Physicians, Germany, <a href="#Page_387">387</a><br /> +<br /> +Asthma, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a><br /> +<br /> +Athletes and alcohol, <a href="#Page_103">103</a><br /> +<br /> +Atwater, Prof., <a href="#Page_128">128-130</a><br /> +<br /> +Australian Government Commission on Patent Medicines, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Baldwin, Dr. Edward R., <a href="#Page_370">370</a><br /> +<br /> +Barton, Miss Clara, <a href="#Page_48">48</a><br /> +<br /> +Baths, <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_410">410</a>, <a href="#Page_431">431</a>, <a href="#Page_432">432</a><br /> +<br /> +Battle Creek Sanitarium, <a href="#Page_223">223-227</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_256">256</a><br /> +<br /> +Bavaria, beer-drinking effects, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Beale, Dr. Lionel, <a href="#Page_99">99</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a><br /> +<br /> +Beaumont, Dr., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a><br /> +<br /> +Beddoes, Dr., <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_421">421</a><br /> +<br /> +Beebe, Dr. S. P., <a href="#Page_404">404</a>, <a href="#Page_405">405</a><br /> +<br /> +Beef-tea, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a><br /> +<br /> +Bacteria, <a href="#Page_150">150</a><br /> +<br /> +Badger, Dr. Richard, <a href="#Page_365">365</a><br /> +<br /> +Baer, Dr., <a href="#Page_19">19</a><br /> +<br /> +Barker, Prof., <a href="#Page_337">337</a><br /> +<br /> +Barr, Sir James, <a href="#Page_372">372</a><br /> +<br /> +Beer, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_239">239</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244-246</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_423">423-426</a><br /> +<br /> +Bellevue Hospital, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_309">309</a><br /> +<br /> +Berkley and <a name="ind1" id="ind1"></a><a href="#ind1t">Friedenwald</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a><br /> +<br /> +Beverages for the sick, <a href="#Page_411">411</a><br /> +<br /> +Bigelow, Dr. Jacob, <a href="#Page_335">335</a><br /> +<br /> +Billings, Dr. Frank, <a href="#Page_155">155</a><br /> +<br /> +Bitters, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a><br /> +<br /> +Blankmeyer, Dr. H. J., <a href="#Page_159">159</a><br /> +<br /> +Bleuler, Dr., <a href="#Page_388">388</a><br /> +<br /> +Blood, <a href="#Page_66">66-75</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>,106, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_393">393</a><br /> +<br /> +Blood purifiers, <a href="#Page_75">75</a><br /> +<br /> +Blood vessels, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_108">108</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a><br /> +<br /> +Blumenau, alcohol and digestion, <a href="#Page_173">173</a><br /> +<br /> +Boils and carbuncles, <a href="#Page_144">144</a><br /> +<br /> +Bond, Dr. Knox, on fevers, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a><br /> +<br /> +Bostwick, Dr., <a href="#Page_336">336</a><br /> +<br /> +Bowditch, Prof. Vincent Y., <a href="#Page_157">157</a><br /> +<br /> +Boynton, Dr., <a href="#Page_377">377</a><br /> +<br /> +Bradner, Dr. Roe, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a><br /> +<br /> +Brain, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a><br /> +<br /> +Brandy, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_151">151</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a><br /> +<br /> +Brewers, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Bright’s disease, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a><br /> +<br /> +British army, experiences with alcohol, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a><br /> +<br /> +British Medical Journal, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319</a>, <a href="#Page_324">324</a><br /> +<br /> +British Medical Temperance Association, <a href="#Page_148">148-151</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a><br /> +<br /> +Broadbent, Dr., <a href="#Page_274">274</a><br /> +<br /> +Brodie, Dr. Benj., <a href="#Page_105">105</a><br /> +<br /> +Bromidia, <a href="#Page_353">353</a><br /> +<br /> +Bromo Seltzer, <a href="#Page_346">346</a><br /> +<br /> +Brown, Dr. Alonzo, <a href="#Page_271">271-273</a><br /> +<br /> +Brunton, Dr. Lauder, <a href="#Page_269">269</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a><br /> +<br /> +Bucke, Dr. R. M., alcohol and the insane, <a href="#Page_412">412</a><br /> +<br /> +Buckley, Rev. J. M., D.D., cured of consumption, <a href="#Page_159">159</a><br /> +<br /> +Bunge, Prof. G. Von, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_424">424</a><br /> +<br /> +Bureau of Chemistry, <a href="#Page_426">426</a>, <a href="#Page_427">427</a><br /> +<br /> +Burnett, Dr. Mary Weeks, <a href="#Page_41">41-44</a><br /> +<br /> +Burt, Mrs. Mary T., <a href="#Page_24">24</a><br /> +<br /> +Bussey, Dr., <a href="#Page_237">237</a><br /> +<br /> +Butter, substitute for cod-liver oil, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Cabot, Dr. Richard C., <a href="#Page_57">57</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a><br /> +<br /> +Caffeine, <a href="#Page_49">49</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_428">428-430</a><br /> +<br /> +Cain, Dr. J. S., <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_377">377</a><br /> +<br /> +Calmette, Dr., snake-bite <a href="#Page_206">206-209</a><br /> +<br /> +Camphor, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a><br /> +<br /> +Cancer and alcohol, <a href="#Page_288">288</a><br /> +<br /> +Carbolic acid, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a><br /> +<br /> +Carbon dioxide, <a href="#Page_71">71-73</a><br /> +<br /> +Carbonic acid in wine, <a href="#Page_117">117</a><br /> +<br /> +Cardiac paralysis in diphtheria, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a><br /> +<br /> +Carpanutrine, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> +<br /> +Carpenter, Dr. Alfred, <a href="#Page_86">86</a><br /> +<br /> +Carson, Prof. J. W., <a href="#Page_336">336</a><br /> +<br /> +Casgrau, Dr., doctors who personally use alcohol less observant of its effects, <a href="#Page_294">294</a><br /> +<br /> +Catarrh, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a><br /> +<br /> +Cells, <a href="#Page_58">58-60</a>, <a href="#Page_68">68</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a><br /> +<br /> +Chapman, Dr. C. W., <a href="#Page_184">184</a><br /> +<br /> +Charcoal, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Charrin, Dr., <a href="#Page_287">287</a><br /> +<br /> +Cheese, cannot be made from milk of cows fed on distillery slops, <a href="#Page_236">236</a><br /> +<br /> +Cheyne, Prof. W. W., snake-poison, <a href="#Page_209">209</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a><br /> +<br /> +Children, danger of alcohol for, <a href="#Page_416">416</a><br /> +<br /> +Children of beer-drinking mothers, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iii_i" id="Page_iii_i">[Pg iii]</a></span><br /> +Children, per cent. of deaths of those of abstaining and drinking parents, <a href="#Page_397">397</a>, <a href="#Page_398">398</a><br /> +<br /> +Chills, <a href="#Page_146">146</a><br /> +<br /> +Chittenden, Prof., <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_403">403</a><br /> +<br /> +Chloral, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a><br /> +<br /> +Chlorodyne, <a href="#Page_127">127</a><br /> +<br /> +Chloroform, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a><br /> +<br /> +Cholera, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147-152</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">infantum, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">morbus, <a href="#Page_152">152</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Christian Advocates, The, and patent medicines, <a href="#Page_26">26</a><br /> +<br /> +Christison, Prof., <a href="#Page_34">34</a><br /> +<br /> +Cincinnati Hospital, <a href="#Page_254">254</a><br /> +<br /> +Circulation, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184-186</a><br /> +<br /> +Claret, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_419">419</a><br /> +<br /> +Clark, Dr. Alonzo, <a href="#Page_336">336</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">Sir Andrew, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_101">101</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Clinique, The, <a href="#Page_180">180</a><br /> +<br /> +Coal-tar drugs, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a><br /> +<br /> +Coca wines, <a href="#Page_319">319-324</a><br /> +<br /> +Coca Cola, <a href="#Page_427">427</a><br /> +<br /> +Cocaine, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_319">319-325</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345-351</a>, <a href="#Page_427">427</a><br /> +<br /> +Cod-liver oil, fraudulent preparations, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> +<br /> +Coffee, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a><br /> +<br /> +Cohen, Dr. S. S., <a href="#Page_365">365</a><br /> +<br /> +Cold, as a heart stimulant, <a href="#Page_184">184-186</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">as tonic, <a href="#Page_125">125</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">pack, <a href="#Page_186">186</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">treatment for pneumonia, <a href="#Page_202">202</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Colds, cause and treatment, <a href="#Page_146">146</a><br /> +<br /> +Colic, <a href="#Page_147">147</a><br /> +<br /> +Collier, Dr. Wm., <a href="#Page_372">372</a><br /> +<br /> +Collier’s Weekly and nostrums, <a href="#Page_26">26</a><br /> +<br /> +Collins, Dr., <a href="#Page_157">157</a><br /> +<br /> +Coloring matter in wines arrests digestion, <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br /> +<br /> +Coma from waste retention, <a href="#Page_115">115</a><br /> +<br /> +Committee of Fifty, <a href="#Page_19">19</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_279">279</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">on Pharmacy, <a href="#Page_314">314</a>, <a href="#Page_315">315</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Condi, Dr., nursing mothers, <a href="#Page_236">236</a><br /> +<br /> +Constipation, <a href="#Page_146">146</a><br /> +<br /> +Consumption, <a href="#Page_153">153-162</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a><br /> +<br /> +Convalescence and alcohol, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a><br /> +<br /> +Convulsions, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Cook County Hospital, <a href="#Page_54">54</a>, <a href="#Page_159">159</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a><br /> +<br /> +Cordials in dyspepsia, <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br /> +<br /> +Cough medicines, <a href="#Page_310">310-312</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">simple remedies, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_162">162</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Cramps, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Cream, substitute for cod-liver oil, <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> +<br /> +Crothers, Dr. T. D., <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_390">390</a><br /> +<br /> +Cures for inebriety, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_414">414</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Deaths from alcohol, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">from alcoholic diseases ascribed to other causes, <a href="#Page_31">31-34</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Death-rates, comparative, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_247">247-261</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">lowered by non-alcoholic treatment, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_46">46</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Debility, <a href="#Page_171">171</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a><br /> +<br /> +Davis, Dr. Nathan S., Sr., <a href="#Page_11">11</a>, <a href="#Page_12">12</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29-31</a>, <a href="#Page_45">45</a>, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_80">80-82</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91-95</a>, <a href="#Page_107">107</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_219">219</a>, <a href="#Page_244">244</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_262">262</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_289">289</a>, <a href="#Page_294">294</a>, <a href="#Page_358">358-360</a><br /> +<br /> +De Garmo, Prof., <a href="#Page_366">366</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind2" id="ind2"></a><a href="#ind2t">Deléarde</a>, Dr., Pasteur Institute, <a href="#Page_279">279</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a><br /> +<br /> +Delirium tremens, <a href="#Page_388">388</a><br /> +<br /> +Depression of spirits, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Diabetes, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br /> +<br /> +Diarrhœa, <a href="#Page_172">172</a><br /> +<br /> +Digestion, <a href="#Page_106">106</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155-157</a><br /> +<br /> +Digestive organs, injured, <a href="#Page_389">389</a><br /> +<br /> +Digitalis, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a><br /> +<br /> +Diphtheria, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a><br /> +<br /> +Diseases of women, <a href="#Page_430">430</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">non-alcohol treatment, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Distilled liquors, composition, <a href="#Page_117">117</a><br /> +<br /> +Doan’s Pills, <a href="#Page_315">315</a><br /> +<br /> +Dodson, Dr. John M., <a href="#Page_423">423</a><br /> +<br /> +Dogbite, <a href="#Page_211">211</a><br /> +<br /> +Dock, Dr. George, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a><br /> +<br /> +Douches, <a href="#Page_164">164</a>, <a href="#Page_431">431</a><br /> +<br /> +Drowning, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a><br /> +<br /> +“Drugging”, <a href="#Page_335">335-355</a><br /> +<br /> +Drug habits formed by patent medicines, <a href="#Page_301">301</a><br /> +<br /> +Drugs, medical opinions of, <a href="#Page_336">336-338</a><br /> +<br /> +Druggists’ resolutions against whiskey drug-stores, <a href="#Page_27">27</a><br /> +<br /> +Druggist’s Circular, <a href="#Page_8">8</a>, <a href="#Page_429">429</a><br /> +<br /> +Druggists, liquor selling by, <a href="#Page_139">139</a><br /> +<br /> +Drunkards made in infancy, <a href="#Page_311">311</a><br /> +<br /> +Drunkards, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a><br /> +<br /> +Drysdale, Dr., <a href="#Page_372">372</a><br /> +<br /> +Dubois, experiments, <a href="#Page_119">119</a><br /> +<br /> +Dysentery, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a><br /> +<br /> +Dysmenorrhea, <a href="#Page_431">431</a><br /> +<br /> +Dyspepsia, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173-177</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Edmunds, Dr., <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a>, <a href="#Page_183">183</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238-243</a><br /> +<br /> +Edsall, Dr. David L., <a href="#Page_374">374</a><br /> +<br /> +Epilepsy, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a><br /> +<br /> +Erysipelas, <a href="#Page_74">74</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a><br /> +<br /> +Eshner, Dr. A. A., <a href="#Page_364">364</a><br /> +<br /> +Exhaustion, <a href="#Page_178">178</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Fainting and faintness, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a><br /> +<br /> +Fatigue, <a href="#Page_178">178</a>, <a href="#Page_320">320</a>, <a href="#Page_430">430</a><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_iv_i" id="Page_iv_i">[Pg iv]</a></span><br /> +Fatty degeneration, <a href="#Page_34">34-36</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82-85</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a><br /> +<br /> +Fats digested in small intestines, <a href="#Page_60">60</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind3" id="ind3"></a><a href="#ind3t">Fere</a>, Dr., <a href="#Page_203">203</a><br /> +<br /> +Fermentation, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a><br /> +<br /> +Fevers, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_249">249-255</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a><br /> +<br /> +Fibrine, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_62">62</a><br /> +<br /> +Fits, <a href="#Page_238">238</a><br /> +<br /> +Flatulence, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Flick, Dr. Lawrence, <a href="#Page_156">156</a><br /> +<br /> +Fomentations, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_229">229</a><br /> +<br /> +Food, alcohol as indirect, <a href="#Page_112">112-114</a>, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_98">98-117</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128-130</a><br /> +<br /> +Foods, proprietary, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> +<br /> +Forel, Dr. A., <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a><br /> +<br /> +Forrest, Dr., <a href="#Page_160">160</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br /> +<br /> +Foster, Dr., <a href="#Page_68">68</a><br /> +<br /> +Franco-Prussian War, wine, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a><br /> +<br /> +Francis, Surgeon Gen’l, cholera, <a href="#Page_150">150</a><br /> +<br /> +Frick, Dr. A., <a href="#Page_388">388</a>, <a href="#Page_389">389</a><br /> +<br /> +Fruit, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">juice, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Gairdner, Dr., fevers, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a><br /> +<br /> +Garber, Dr., typhoid, <a href="#Page_230">230</a><br /> +<br /> +Garfield Memorial Hospital, <a href="#Page_55">55</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a><br /> +<br /> +Gastric juice, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a><br /> +<br /> +Gastritis from beer and gin, <a href="#Page_246">246</a><br /> +<br /> +Georgia law and alcohol prescriptions, <a href="#Page_27">27</a><br /> +<br /> +Germs, <a href="#Page_70">70</a>, <a href="#Page_115">115</a>, <a href="#Page_223">223</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a><br /> +<br /> +Giddiness, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Gilman, Prof., treatment leads to death, <a href="#Page_337">337</a><br /> +<br /> +Gin, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_246">246</a><br /> +<br /> +Ginger drinking, <a href="#Page_341">341</a><br /> +<br /> +Gloria Tonic, <a href="#Page_414">414</a><br /> +<br /> +Gluzinski and digestion, <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br /> +<br /> +Glycerine in pharmacy, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a><br /> +<br /> +Glycogen, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a><br /> +<br /> +Gordon, Dr. A., <a href="#Page_377">377</a><br /> +<br /> +Gould, A. Pearce, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_367">367</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a><br /> +<br /> +Gout, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_74">74</a><br /> +<br /> +Grape juice, <a href="#Page_65">65</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind4" id="ind4"></a><a href="#ind4t">Gréhant</a>, <a href="#Page_288">288</a><br /> +<br /> +Gruber, Prof., <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a><br /> +<br /> +Guardian cells, see leucocytes<br /> +<br /> +Gull, Sir Wm., <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_104">104</a><br /> +<br /> +Gum resins, non-alcoholic preparation, <a href="#Page_134">134</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Hagee’s Cordial of Cod-Liver Oil, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> +<br /> +Hall, Dr. W. S., <a href="#Page_379">379</a>, <a href="#Page_405">405-409</a><br /> +<br /> +Hamilton, Dr. Frank H., <a href="#Page_285">285</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a><br /> +<br /> +Hammond, Dr. W. A., <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a><br /> +<br /> +Hargreaves, Dr. W., <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_86">86</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a><br /> +<br /> +Harley, Dr., alcohol and diabetes, <a href="#Page_88">88</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br /> +<br /> +Harrington. Dr. Chas., <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_316">316</a><br /> +<br /> +Hart, Dr. Ernest, <a href="#Page_126">126</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_269">269</a><br /> +<br /> +Harvey, Dr., counsel to young physicians, <a href="#Page_389">389</a><br /> +<br /> +Hay Fever, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_146">146</a><br /> +<br /> +Hayes, Dr., arctic work, <a href="#Page_110">110</a><br /> +<br /> +Headaches, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a><br /> +<br /> +Headache remedies, <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a><br /> +<br /> +Health, how to preserve, <a href="#Page_355">355</a><br /> +<br /> +Health Grains, <a href="#Page_315">315</a><br /> +<br /> +Healy, Dr. H. H., <a href="#Page_375">375</a><br /> +<br /> +Heart abscesses, <a href="#Page_277">277</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">and alcohol, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75-85</a>, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">beer-drinkers, <a href="#Page_424">424</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">disease, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">failure, <a href="#Page_83">83</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185-188</a>, <a href="#Page_227">227</a>, <a href="#Page_273">273</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">force diminished, <a href="#Page_183">183</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">stimulants, <a href="#Page_188">188</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">weak, <a href="#Page_182">182</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Hemaboloids, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> +<br /> +Hemapeptone, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> +<br /> +Hemaglobin, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_221">221</a><br /> +<br /> +Hemorrhage, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_197">197</a><br /> +<br /> +Heredity of alcoholic diseases, <a href="#Page_33">33</a><br /> +<br /> +Herrick, Dr. James B., <a href="#Page_365">365</a><br /> +<br /> +Hewes, Dr. Henry F., <a href="#Page_379">379</a><br /> +<br /> +Heyburn, Senator, nostrums, <a href="#Page_334">334</a><br /> +<br /> +Hiccough, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Higginbotham, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a><br /> +<br /> +Higginson, Col. T. W., <a href="#Page_196">196</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind5" id="ind5"></a><a href="#ind5t">Hirschfeld</a>, Dr., <a href="#Page_360">360</a>, <a href="#Page_380">380</a><br /> +<br /> +Hiss, Dr. A. Emil, <a href="#Page_309">309</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a><br /> +<br /> +History of study of alcohol, <a href="#Page_9">9-20</a><br /> +<br /> +Hob-nailed liver, <a href="#Page_87">87</a><br /> +<br /> +Hoffman drops, <a href="#Page_349">349</a><br /> +<br /> +Hoff’s Consumption Cure, <a href="#Page_316">316</a><br /> +<br /> +Holmes, Dr. Oliver W., on drugs, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_344">344</a><br /> +<br /> +Hop tea, <a href="#Page_66">66</a>, <a href="#Page_142">142</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br /> +<br /> +Hoppe, Dr. Hugo, beer, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Horsley, Sir Victor, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a>, <a href="#Page_424">424</a>, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Hospitals, Temperance, <a href="#Page_37">37-53</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">death-rates, <a href="#Page_252">252-261</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">decreased use of alcoholic liquors, <a href="#Page_53">53-57</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Hugounencq, alcohol and pepsin, <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br /> +<br /> +Hunt, Mrs. Mary H., temperance education, <a href="#Page_17">17</a><br /> +<br /> +Hunt, Dr. Reid, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>, <a href="#Page_402">402</a><br /> +<br /> +Hydrochloric acid, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a><br /> +<br /> +Hydrophobia, <a href="#Page_281">281-283</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Internal Rev, Dep’t. and Nostrums, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_312">312</a><br /> +<br /> +International Congress on Alcoholism, London, 1909, <a href="#Page_9">9</a>, <a href="#Page_393">393</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em"><a name="ind6" id="ind6"></a><a href="#ind6t">Encyclopedia</a> of Surgery, <a href="#Page_209">209</a></span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_v_i" id="Page_v_i">[Pg v]</a></span><span style="margin-left: 2em">Medical Congress 1876, and National W. C. T. U., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_82">82</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Immunity, influence of alcohol on, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_393">393-395</a><br /> +<br /> +Indigestion and alcohol, <a href="#Page_32">32</a><br /> +<br /> +Infant feeding, <a href="#Page_242">242</a>, <a href="#Page_243">243</a><br /> +<br /> +Infection, liability to increased, <a href="#Page_392">392</a>, <a href="#Page_393">393</a><br /> +<br /> +Infectious diseases, <a href="#Page_288">288</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Inflammation in wounds, <a href="#Page_74">74</a><br /> +<br /> +Influenza and drinkers, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a><br /> +<br /> +Iron, injurious to stomach, <a href="#Page_315">315</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Jackson, Dr. Henry, <a href="#Page_370">370</a><br /> +<br /> +Jaundice, alcohol prejudicial, <a href="#Page_89">89</a><br /> +<br /> +Jayne’s Expectorant, <a href="#Page_310">310</a><br /> +<br /> +Johnson, Lieut., arctic work, <a href="#Page_110">110</a><br /> +<br /> +Joslin, Dr. E. P., <a href="#Page_364">364</a>, <a href="#Page_424">424</a><br /> +<br /> +Journal Amer. Med. Ass’n., <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204-209</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a><br /> +<br /> +Journal of Inebriety, <a href="#Page_131">131</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_329">329</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a><br /> +<br /><br /> +Kansas prohibits whiskey drug-stores <a href="#Page_27">27</a><br /> +<br /> +Kassowitz, Prof. Max, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a><br /> +<br /> +Kellogg, Dr. J. H., <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_199">199</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a><br /> +<br /> +Kerr, Dr. Norman, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a><br /> +<br /> +Kidneys, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89-95</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276</a>, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Koch, Dr., consumption, <a href="#Page_153">153</a><br /> +<br /> +Knopf, Dr. S. A., <a href="#Page_155">155</a><br /> +<br /> +Kola, see caffeine.<br /> +<br /> +Kraepelin, <a href="#Page_399">399</a>, <a href="#Page_400">400</a><br /> +<br /> +Kress, Dr. Lauretta, <a href="#Page_430">430-432</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +La grippe, <a href="#Page_190">190-193</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a><br /> +<br /> +Ladd, Prof., <a href="#Page_332">332</a>, <a href="#Page_333">333</a><br /> +<br /> +Ladies’ Home Journal, <a href="#Page_26">26</a><br /> +<br /> +Laitinen, Prof. T., <a href="#Page_368">368</a>, <a href="#Page_369">369</a>, <a href="#Page_392">392-398</a><br /> +<br /> +Lambert, Dr. Alex., <a href="#Page_415">415</a>, <a href="#Page_424">424</a><br /> +<br /> +Lancet, The London, <a href="#Page_191">191</a>, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_368">368</a>, <a href="#Page_429">429</a><br /> +<br /> +Landis, Dr. J. H., and typhoid, <a href="#Page_379">379</a><br /> +<br /> +Laudanum, <a href="#Page_137">137</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a><br /> +<br /> +Laxative pills often harmful, <a href="#Page_346">346</a><br /> +<br /> +Lees, Dr. F. R., <a href="#Page_106">106</a><br /> +<br /> +Legrain, Dr., <a href="#Page_426">426</a><br /> +<br /> +Liebig, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_424">424</a><br /> +<br /> +Lemon, <a href="#Page_146">146</a>, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_411">411</a><br /> +<br /> +Lesser, Dr. A. <a name="ind7" id="ind7"></a><a href="#ind7t">Monæ</a>, success in treating fevers in Cuban War, <a href="#Page_53">53</a><br /> +<br /> +Leucocytes, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_274">274</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_278">278</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a>, <a href="#Page_283">283</a>, <a href="#Page_284">284</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a><br /> +<br /> +Life insurance and total abstinence, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_423">423</a>, <a href="#Page_426">426</a>, <a href="#Page_432">432-435</a><br /> +<br /> +Life saving stations and alcohol, <a href="#Page_193">193</a><br /> +<br /> +Liniments, non-alcoholic, <a href="#Page_134">134</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a><br /> +<br /> +Liquid Peptones, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> +<br /> +Liver, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85-89</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404-409</a>, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Lloyd, Prof. J. U., <a href="#Page_328">328</a><br /> +<br /> +London Temperance Hospital, <a href="#Page_37">37-41</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132-135</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a><br /> +<br /> +Loomis, Dr. A. L., <a href="#Page_255">255</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">Dr. Henry P., <a href="#Page_157">157</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Lungs, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a><br /> +<br /> +Lying-in-Hospital, London, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_38">38</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Martin, Dr. Newell, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a>, <a href="#Page_158">158</a><br /> +<br /> +Massage, <a href="#Page_166">166</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_214">214</a><br /> +<br /> +Mass. State Board of Health, <a href="#Page_34">34</a>, <a href="#Page_310">310</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind8" id="ind8"></a><a href="#ind8t">Massart</a> and Bordet, leucocytes, <a href="#Page_277">277</a><br /> +<br /> +McNicholl, Dr. T. A., <a href="#Page_48">48</a>, <a href="#Page_378">378</a><br /> +<br /> +Madden, Dr. John, <a href="#Page_378">378</a><br /> +<br /> +Magnesia, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Malaria<a name="FNanchor_D_4" id="FNanchor_D_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_D_4" class="fnanchor">[D]</a>, <a href="#Page_195">195</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a><br /> +<br /> +Malt Extracts, <a href="#Page_316">316-319</a><br /> +<br /> +Manassein’s Clinic, alcohol and kidneys, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_94">94</a><br /> +<br /> +Mann, Dr. Matthew D., <a href="#Page_365">365</a><br /> +<br /> +Martin, Alexis St., <a href="#Page_61">61</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a><br /> +<br /> +McCormack, Dr. J. H., <a href="#Page_370">370</a><br /> +<br /> +Measles, <a href="#Page_194">194</a><br /> +<br /> +Meat extracts, valueless, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>, <a href="#Page_326">326</a><br /> +<br /> +Medical temperance department of W. C. T. U., <a href="#Page_25">25-27</a><br /> +<br /> +Menstruation, painful, <a href="#Page_197">197</a><br /> +<br /> +Mercer, Dr. Alfred, <a href="#Page_363">363</a><br /> +<br /> +Metchnikoff, <a href="#Page_374">374</a>, <a href="#Page_398">398</a><br /> +<br /> +Milk, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a><br /> +<br /> +Miller, Dr. James Alex., <a href="#Page_157">157</a><br /> +<br /> +Mitchell, Dr. S. Weir, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a><br /> +<br /> +Miura, investigations, <a href="#Page_379">379</a><br /> +<br /> +Morphine, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a><br /> +<br /> +Mossop, Dr., experiments, <a href="#Page_120">120</a><br /> +<br /> +Mother Bailey’s Quieting Syrup, <a href="#Page_310">310</a><br /> +<br /> +Munyon’s Kidney Cure, <a href="#Page_315">315</a><br /> +<br /> +Mulford’s Predigested Beef, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> +<br /> +Muscles and alcohol, <a href="#Page_33">33</a>, <a href="#Page_103">103</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a><br /> +<br /> +Musser, Dr. John H., <a href="#Page_369">369</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a><br /> +<br /> +Mussey, Prof. R. D., <a href="#Page_12">12</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Nansen and polar expedition, <a href="#Page_110">110</a><br /> +<br /> +Narcotic drug dangers, <a href="#Page_345">345</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350-355</a>, <a href="#Page_357">357</a><br /> +<br /> +Nausea, <a href="#Page_199">199</a><br /> +<br /> +Nerves, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a>, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Nervous system affected by retention of waste, <a href="#Page_115">115</a><br /> +<br /> +Neuralgia, <a href="#Page_198">198</a><br /> +<br /> +New York State Board of Health, <a href="#Page_154">154</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a><br /> +<br /> +Newspapers and whiskey ads., <a href="#Page_382">382</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">and patent medicine ads, <a href="#Page_333">333</a></span><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vi_i" id="Page_vi_i">[Pg vi]</a></span><br /> +Nichol, Dr., experiments, <a href="#Page_120">120</a><br /> +<br /> +Nichols, Dr. Jas. R., <a href="#Page_136">136</a>, <a href="#Page_138">138</a><br /> +<br /> +Nitrite of amyl, <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a>, <a href="#Page_182">182</a><br /> +<br /> +Non-alcoholic treatment, <a href="#Page_37">37</a>, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_140">140-233</a>, <a href="#Page_258">258-260</a>, <a href="#Page_360">360</a><br /> +<br /> +Nurses, abstinence in cholera, <a href="#Page_149">149</a><br /> +<br /> +Nursing mothers and beer, <a href="#Page_234">234</a>, <a href="#Page_426">426</a><br /> +<br /> +Nutrition retarded by alcohol, <a href="#Page_114">114</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Oatmeal, <a href="#Page_197">197</a>, <a href="#Page_235">235</a><br /> +<br /> +Oils, essential, non-alcoholic preparation, <a href="#Page_134">134</a><br /> +<br /> +Opium, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_132">132</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_189">189</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_351">351</a>, <a href="#Page_352">352</a>, <a href="#Page_389">389</a>, <a href="#Page_412">412</a><br /> +<br /> +Orangeine, <a href="#Page_346">346</a><br /> +<br /> +Osler, Dr., <a href="#Page_158">158</a><br /> +<br /> +Oxidations, <a href="#Page_408">408</a><br /> +<br /> +Oxidation checked by coal-tar drugs, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">hindered by alcohol, <a href="#Page_263">263</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Oxidative powers of liver effected by alcohol, <a href="#Page_404">404</a><br /> +<br /> +Oxygen, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_67">67</a>, <a href="#Page_71">71</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_113">113</a>, <a href="#Page_114">114</a>, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_264">264</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Page, Dr. C. E., on typhoid, <a href="#Page_232">232</a><br /> +<br /> +Pain after food, <a href="#Page_203">203</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204</a><br /> +<br /> +Palmer, Dr. A. B., <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121-123</a><br /> +<br /> +Pepper, Cayenne, <a href="#Page_147">147</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a><br /> +<br /> +Pepsin, <a href="#Page_62">62</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br /> +<br /> +Peptonic Elixir, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> +<br /> +Peruna, <a href="#Page_312">312</a><br /> +<br /> +Peterson, Dr. Frederick, <a href="#Page_375">375</a><br /> +<br /> +Phagocytes, <a href="#Page_271">271</a>, <a href="#Page_272">272</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a><br /> +<br /> +Pharmacy, non-alcoholic, <a href="#Page_132">132-139</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind10" id="ind10"></a><a href="#ind10t">Phenacetine</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_339">339</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_354">354</a><br /> +<br /> +Physicians need awakening as to evils of alcohol, <a href="#Page_379">379</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">responsibility for prescribing alcoholic liquor, <a href="#Page_358">358</a>, <a href="#Page_359">359</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a></span><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">why they prescribe alcoholics, <a href="#Page_291">291-298</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Pneumonia, <a href="#Page_40">40</a>, <a href="#Page_75">75</a>, <a href="#Page_85">85</a>, <a href="#Page_192">192</a>, <a href="#Page_200">200-203</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_254">254</a>, <a href="#Page_257">257</a>, <a href="#Page_280">280</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_371">371</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a><br /> +<br /> +Poheman, Dr. Julius, <a href="#Page_200">200</a>, <a href="#Page_201">201</a><br /> +<br /> +Poisons, <a href="#Page_29">29</a>, <a href="#Page_204">204-211</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a>, <a href="#Page_301">301</a><br /> +<br /> +Port Wine, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_144">144</a>, <a href="#Page_172">172</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a><br /> +<br /> +Porter, <a href="#Page_236">236</a><br /> +<br /> +Pregnancy, danger of alcohol in, <a href="#Page_203">203</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">vomiting in, <a href="#Page_199">199</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Packs, hot <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_202">202</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind9" id="ind9"></a><a href="#ind9t">Panopepton</a>, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> +<br /> +Paralysis, caused by alcohol, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_36">36</a><br /> +<br /> +Paregoric, <a href="#Page_352">352</a><br /> +<br /> +Parkes, <a href="#Page_77">77-79</a>, <a href="#Page_100">100</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a><br /> +<br /> +Patent medicines, <a href="#Page_26">26</a>, <a href="#Page_27">27</a>, <a href="#Page_299">299-334</a>, <a href="#Page_350">350</a><br /> +<br /> +Preble, Dr. Robert B., <a href="#Page_375">375</a><br /> +<br /> +Proprietary “Foods”, <a href="#Page_313">313</a>, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> +<br /> +Prostration, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Protoplasm and alcohol, <a href="#Page_59">59</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_287">287</a><br /> +<br /> +Psychical treatment, Cabot, <a href="#Page_57">57</a><br /> +<br /> +Ptomaine poisoning, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_270">270</a><br /> +<br /> +Puerperal fever, <a href="#Page_229">229</a>, <a href="#Page_290">290</a><br /> +<br /> +Pulse and alcohol, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_181">181</a><br /> +<br /> +Pure Food Law, <a href="#Page_299">299</a>, <a href="#Page_300">300</a><br /> +<br /> +Putnam, Dr. J. J., <a href="#Page_364">364</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Quackery, cause, <a href="#Page_337">337</a><br /> +<br /> +Quinine, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_340">340</a>, <a href="#Page_345">345</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Rattlesnakes, bite of, <a href="#Page_210">210</a><br /> +<br /> +Recent researches on alcohol, <a href="#Page_276">276-284</a>, <a href="#Page_392">392-409</a><br /> +<br /> +Reichert, alcohol and snake-bite, <a href="#Page_207">207</a><br /> +<br /> +Retina, blood-vessels and alcohol, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a><br /> +<br /> +Rheumatism, <a href="#Page_211">211-214</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_260">260</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a><br /> +<br /> +Richardson, Sir B. W., <a href="#Page_15">15</a>, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_39">39</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_72">72</a>, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_111">111</a>, <a href="#Page_121">121</a>, <a href="#Page_148">148</a>, <a href="#Page_153">153</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_259">259</a>, <a href="#Page_295">295-297</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a>, <a href="#Page_385">385-387</a><br /> +<br /> +Ridge, Dr. J. J., <a href="#Page_73">73</a>, <a href="#Page_84">84</a>, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_149">149</a>, <a href="#Page_180">180</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_275">275</a>, <a href="#Page_286">286</a>, <a href="#Page_292">292</a>, <a href="#Page_356">356</a>, <a href="#Page_362">362</a><br /> +<br /> +Riley, Dr. W. H., <a href="#Page_223">223-227</a>, <a href="#Page_423">423</a><br /> +<br /> +Ringer and Sainsbury, <a href="#Page_80">80</a>, <a href="#Page_119">119</a><br /> +<br /> +Ritchie, Dr. J. J., <a href="#Page_383">383</a><br /> +<br /> +Roberts, Sir W., <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br /> +<br /> +Robin, <a href="#Page_264">264</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind11" id="ind11"></a><a href="#ind11t">Rusby</a>, Dr. H. H., <a href="#Page_429">429</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Salicylic acid, <a href="#Page_128">128</a><br /> +<br /> +Saline injections, <a href="#Page_187">187</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">solutions, <a href="#Page_145">145</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Sartoin Skin Food, <a href="#Page_316">316</a><br /> +<br /> +Scarlet fever, <a href="#Page_91">91</a>, <a href="#Page_248">248</a>, <a href="#Page_337">337</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a><br /> +<br /> +Schafer’s physiology on alcohol, <a href="#Page_129">129</a><br /> +<br /> +Scientific temperance education, <a href="#Page_17">17</a>, <a href="#Page_18">18</a><br /> +<br /> +Sedatives, dangers of, <a href="#Page_127">127</a><br /> +<br /> +Shock, <a href="#Page_215">215</a>, <a href="#Page_216">216</a><br /> +<br /> +Sight impaired by alcohol, <a href="#Page_120">120</a><br /> +<br /> +Sleeplessness, <a href="#Page_179">179</a><br /> +<br /> +Small-pox, <a href="#Page_247">247-250</a><br /> +<br /> +Smith. Dr. E., <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_238">238</a><br /> +<br /> +Snake-bite, <a href="#Page_207">207</a>, <a href="#Page_211">211</a><br /> +<br /> +Soft drinks, dangerous, <a href="#Page_427">427</a><br /> +<br /> +Soldiers, <a href="#Page_101">101</a>, <a href="#Page_102">102</a>, <a href="#Page_285">285</a><br /> +<br /> +Soothing syrups, <a href="#Page_310">310</a><br /> +<br /> +Sore nipples, <a href="#Page_215">215</a><br /> +<br /> +Sore throat, <a href="#Page_145">145</a><br /> +<br /> +Sphygmograph, <a href="#Page_79">79</a>, <a href="#Page_120">120</a>, <a href="#Page_122">122</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind12" id="ind12"></a><a href="#ind12t">Stammreich</a>, investigations, <a href="#Page_379">379</a><br /> +<br /> +Starch, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a><br /> +<br /> +Stimulant, definition, <a href="#Page_118">118</a>, <a href="#Page_222">222</a><br /> +<br /> +Stimulants, <a href="#Page_105">105</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_179">179</a>, <a href="#Page_186">186</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_194">194</a>, <a href="#Page_237">237</a>, <a href="#Page_338">338</a><br /> +<br /> +Stimulation, fallacy of theory,, <a href="#Page_385">385</a><br /> +<span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_vii_i" id="Page_vii_i">[Pg vii]</a></span><br /> +Stockton, Dr. C. G., <a href="#Page_158">158</a><br /> +<br /> +Stomach, <a href="#Page_32">32</a>, <a href="#Page_60">60</a>, <a href="#Page_63">63</a>, <a href="#Page_87">87</a>, <a href="#Page_293">293</a>, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Strychnia, <a href="#Page_222">222</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a><br /> +<br /> +Strumpel, Prof., on beer, <a href="#Page_425">425</a><br /> +<br /> +Sudden illness, <a href="#Page_217">217</a><br /> +<br /> +Sugar, <a href="#Page_86">86-88</a>, <a href="#Page_116">116</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_129">129</a>, <a href="#Page_130">130</a>, <a href="#Page_374">374</a><br /> +<br /> +Sulphonal, <a href="#Page_346">346</a>, <a href="#Page_353">353</a><br /> +<br /> +Sunstroke, <a href="#Page_217">217</a>, <a href="#Page_218">218</a><br /> +<br /> +Switzerland and alcohol deaths, <a href="#Page_36">36</a><br /> +<br /> +Syncope, <a href="#Page_177">177</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Tannin, <a href="#Page_124">124</a>, <a href="#Page_152">152</a>, <a href="#Page_164">164</a><br /> +<br /> +Taylor’s Headache Powders, <a href="#Page_346">346</a><br /> +<br /> +Tea, <a href="#Page_236">236</a><br /> +<br /> +Temperance hospitals, <a href="#Page_37">37-53</a><br /> +<br /> +Tonic Beef, <a href="#Page_313">313</a><br /> +<br /> +Toxins, <a href="#Page_267">267-269</a>, <a href="#Page_406">406-409</a><br /> +<br /> +Treves, Sir Frederick, <a href="#Page_342">342</a>, <a href="#Page_372">372</a><br /> +<br /> +Trudeau, Dr. Edward, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_161">161</a><br /> +<br /> +Tuberculosis, <a href="#Page_35">35</a>, <a href="#Page_154">154-158</a><br /> +<br /> +Tetanus, <a href="#Page_281">281</a>, <a href="#Page_282">282</a><br /> +<br /> +Thompson, Sir Henry, <a href="#Page_120">120</a><br /> +<br /> +Tinctures, <a href="#Page_131">131-137</a><br /> +<br /> +Tissue changes, <a href="#Page_113">113-115</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">waste retarded, <a href="#Page_115">115</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Tobacco and alcohol, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_343">343</a>, <a href="#Page_413">413</a><br /> +<br /> +Todd, Dr. B., <a href="#Page_250">250</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a><br /> +<br /> +Turkish baths, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_208">208</a>, <a href="#Page_212">212</a>, <a href="#Page_213">213</a><br /> +<br /> +Type-setters and alcohol, <a href="#Page_400">400</a><br /> +<br /> +Typhoid fever, <a href="#Page_219">219-233</a>, <a href="#Page_251">251</a>, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_253">253</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a>, <a href="#Page_365">365</a>, <a href="#Page_373">373</a>, <a href="#Page_379">379</a><br /> +<br /> +Typhus, <a href="#Page_252">252</a>, <a href="#Page_255">255</a>, <a href="#Page_388">388</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Uric acid, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_404">404</a>, <a href="#Page_405">405</a><br /> +<br /> +Urine and alcohol, <a href="#Page_89">89</a>, <a href="#Page_92">92</a>, <a href="#Page_93">93</a>, <a href="#Page_267">267</a>, <a href="#Page_268">268</a><br /> +<br /> +Uterine displacements, <a href="#Page_163">163-171</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">hemorrhage, <a href="#Page_180">180</a></span><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Van Duyn, Dr. John, <a href="#Page_374">374</a><br /> +<br /> +Vasomotor nerves, <a href="#Page_76">76</a>, <a href="#Page_77">77</a>, <a href="#Page_83">83</a><br /> +<br /> +Vegetarian diet for drink crave, <a href="#Page_414">414</a><br /> +<br /> +Vinol, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> +<br /> +Vita-Ore, <a href="#Page_315">315</a><br /> +<br /> +Vomiting, <a href="#Page_140">140</a>, <a href="#Page_233">233</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +Water, <a href="#Page_30">30</a>, <a href="#Page_95">95</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_128">128</a>, <a href="#Page_135">135</a>, <a href="#Page_143">143</a>, <a href="#Page_145">145</a>, <a href="#Page_150">150-152</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a>, <a href="#Page_177">177</a>, <a href="#Page_187">187</a>, <a href="#Page_188">188</a>, <a href="#Page_224">224</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a>, <a href="#Page_232">232</a>, <a href="#Page_411">411</a><br /> +<br /> +Weakness in growing youth, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_178">178</a><br /> +<br /> +W. Va. Medical Society resolutions, <a href="#Page_371">371</a><br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind13" id="ind13"></a><a href="#ind13t">Whisky</a>, <a href="#Page_28">28</a>, <a href="#Page_50">50</a>, <a href="#Page_112">112</a>, <a href="#Page_127">127</a>, <a href="#Page_155">155</a>, <a href="#Page_157">157</a>, <a href="#Page_173">173</a>, <a href="#Page_190">190</a>, <a href="#Page_193">193</a>, <a href="#Page_196">196</a>, <a href="#Page_210">210</a>, <a href="#Page_265">265</a>, <a href="#Page_370">370</a>, <a href="#Page_390">390</a><br /> +<br /> +Willhite, Dr. O. C., <a href="#Page_159">159</a><br /> +<br /> +Wine, <a href="#Page_13">13</a>, <a href="#Page_31">31</a>, <a href="#Page_64">64</a>, <a href="#Page_65">65</a>, <a href="#Page_109">109</a>, <a href="#Page_110">110</a>, <a href="#Page_117">117</a>, <a href="#Page_123">123</a>, <a href="#Page_125">125</a>, <a href="#Page_141">141</a>, <a href="#Page_176">176</a>, <a href="#Page_236">236</a>, <a href="#Page_325">325</a>, <a href="#Page_417">417</a>, <a href="#Page_424">424</a><br /> +<br /> +Wampole’s Cod-Liver Oil, <a href="#Page_314">314</a><br /> +<br /> +Warbasse, Dr. J. P., <a href="#Page_375">375</a><br /> +<br /> +Waste, retention invites disease, <a href="#Page_70">70</a><br /> +<br /> +Welch, Dr. W. H., <a href="#Page_393">393</a><br /> +<br /> +White, Dr. John E., <a href="#Page_158">158</a><br /> +<br /> +White Haven Sanitarium, <a href="#Page_155">155</a><br /> +<br /> +White Ribbon Remedy, <a href="#Page_414">414</a><br /> +<br /> +Wiley, Dr. H. W., <a href="#Page_301">301</a>, <a href="#Page_428">428</a>, <a href="#Page_429">429</a><br /> +<br /> +Willard, Miss Frances E., <a href="#Page_23">23</a>, <a href="#Page_44">44-47</a><br /> +<br /> +Williams, Henry Smith, <a href="#Page_399">399</a><br /> +<span style="margin-left: 2em">Pink Pills, <a href="#Page_315">315</a></span><br /> +<br /> +Willson, alcohol and snake-bite, <a href="#Page_211">211</a><br /> +<br /> +Winternitz, <a href="#Page_184">184</a>, <a href="#Page_185">185</a>, <a href="#Page_225">225</a><br /> +<br /> +Wolff, <a href="#Page_176">176</a><br /> +<br /> +Wollowicz, <a href="#Page_77">77-79</a>, <a href="#Page_81">81</a><br /> +<br /> +Woodhead, Dr. G. Sims, <a href="#Page_211">211</a>, <a href="#Page_276">276-284</a>, <a href="#Page_366">366</a>, <a href="#Page_383">383</a><br /> +<br /> +Woods, Dr. Matthew, <a href="#Page_364">364</a><br /> +<br /> +Wood, Dr. H. C., <a href="#Page_119">119</a><br /> +<br /> +<br /> +<a name="ind14" id="ind14"></a><a href="#ind14t">Zwieback</a>, <a href="#Page_175">175</a><br /> +</p> + +<div class="footnote"><p><a name="Footnote_D_4" id="Footnote_D_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_D_4"><span class="label">[D]</span></a> Of late years malaria is attributed to the bite of a certain kind of<br /> +mosquito. In preparing this edition that item was overlooked.</p></div> + +<p><span class='pagenum'><a name="Page_viii_i" id="Page_viii_i">[Pg viii]</a></span></p> + +<h4><a name="TN_1" id="TN_1"></a>ERRATA</h4> + + +<p>Page <a href="#TNanchor_1">346</a>, third line from bottom omitted:</p> + +<p>The use of cocaine is advancing rapidly in this</p> + + +<div class="trans_note"> +<p class="center"><a name="TN" id="TN"></a><big>TRANSCRIBER'S NOTE:</big></p> + +<p>Every effort has been made to replicate this text as faithfully as +possible, including obsolete and variant spellings. Obvious +typographical errors in punctuation (misplaced quotes and the like) have +been fixed. Note that the index has <i>not</i> been resorted +alphabetically. Corrections [in brackets] in the text are noted below:</p> + +<p><a name="Page_vtn" id="Page_vtn"></a>page v: typo corrected<br /> + +Sims Woodhead on immunity--<a href="#Page_vt">Delearde’s[Deléarde's]</a> experiments<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_vitn" id="Page_vitn"></a>page vi: typo corrected<br /> + +Society--Dr. Knox Bond on Scarlet Fever--<a href="#Page_vit">Metchinkoff[Metchnikoff]</a> +on white blood-cells--Kassowitz describes his<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_viitn" id="Page_viitn"></a>page vii: typo corrected<br /> + +to quit drinking--Dr. T. D. <a href="#Page_viit">Crother’s[Crothers’]</a> remedy<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_21tn" id="Page_21tn"></a>page 21: typo corrected<br /> + +THE <a href="#Page_21t">WOMAN[’]S</a> CHRISTIAN TEMPERANCE UNION IN +OPPOSITION TO ALCOHOL AS MEDICINE.<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_48tn" id="Page_48tn"></a>page 48: typo corrected<br /> + +department of the hospital was <a href="#Page_48t">commissoned[commissioned]</a> to +treat diseases without the use of alcoholic liquids.<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_53tn" id="Page_53tn"></a>page 53: typo corrected<br /> + +treatment for seven weeks for <a href="#Page_53t">metorrhagia[metrorrhagia]</a>, nietortes[TN: unsure what this word is] and peritonitis<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_106tn" id="Page_106tn"></a>page 106: typo corrected<br /> + +who, but for its mistaken use, might have recovered +from the illness affecting <a href="#Page_106t">then[them]</a>.<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_111tn" id="Page_111tn"></a>page 111: typo corrected<br /> + +or influenced by alcoholism. If the clinical +<a href="#Page_111t">thermometor[thermometer]</a> shows the temperature to be above<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_129tn" id="Page_129tn"></a>page 129: typo corrected<br /> + +An editorial in the Journal of the <a href="#Page_129t">Amercian[American]</a> Medical +Association said:<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_158tn" id="Page_158tn"></a>page 158: typo corrected<br /> + +Medical Director Nordrach Ranch +<a href="#Page_158t">Sanatorium[Sanitorium]</a>, Colorado Springs, Colorado.<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_172tn" id="Page_172tn"></a>page 172: typo corrected<br /> + +irritant of which the stomach is trying to be rid. Do not arrest +it <a href="#Page_172t">permaturely[prematurely]</a>, but assist it.<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_180tn" id="Page_180tn"></a>page 180: typo corrected<br /> + +is usually a symptom of trouble somewhere else, often in the +alimentary canal, <a href="#Page_180t">and[an]</a> overloaded stomach, constipation, or<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_238tn" id="Page_238tn"></a>page 238: duplicate word removed<br /> + +which they soon experience in the +<a href="#Page_238t">[the]</a> supply of milk?<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_255tn" id="Page_255tn"></a>page 255: typo corrected<br /> + +Dr. A. L. Loomis, in the <a href="#Page_255t">treatmemt[treatment]</a> of 600 typhus +fever cases on Blackwell’s Island in 1864, excluded<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_256tn" id="Page_256tn"></a>page 256: typo corrected<br /> + +These cases include a number of <a href="#Page_256t">hyterectomies[hysterectomies]</a>, +and many cases so desperate that those who trust in alcohol<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_257tn" id="Page_257tn"></a>page 257: aded missing single quote<br /> + +be called criminal. I certainly feel that punishment would be +just.<a href="#Page_257t">[’]</a>”<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_260tn" id="Page_260tn"></a>page 260: typo corrected<br /> + +there is less frequent relapse, and there is quicker recovery. +In brief, the experience of <a href="#Page_260t">treament[treatment]</a> of rheumatic fever minus<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_275tn" id="Page_275tn"></a>page 275: typo corrected<br /> + +therefore, may open the door to fever or erysipelas.’ +A <a href="#Page_275t">similiar[similar]</a> experiment of Doyen confirms this.<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_301tn" id="Page_301tn"></a>page 301: added missing quote<br /> + +a habit of gaining relief which becomes an obsession and incapable +of being resisted.<a href="#Page_301t">[”]</a><br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_302tn" id="Page_302tn"></a>page 302: added missing quote<br /> + +harmful only, that so many people profess to have +received benefit from them?<a href="#Page_302t">[”]</a> There are different<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_313tn" id="Page_313tn"></a>page 313: added missing quote<br /> + +no fatty substances present in these products; their food +value from this point of view is, therefore, <i>nil</i>.<a href="#Page_313t">[”]</a><br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_314tn" id="Page_314tn"></a>page 314: added missing quote<br /> + +show any oil. Analysis revealed sugar, alcohol, +and glycerine, none of which is contained in cod-liver +oil.<a href="#Page_314t">[”]</a><br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_316tn" id="Page_316tn"></a>page 316: added missing quote<br /> + +<a href="#Page_316t">[”]</a>Hoff’s Consumption Cure consists essentially of sodium cinnamate +and extract of opium, a mixture at one time suggested<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_319tn" id="Page_319tn"></a>page 319: typo corrected<br /> + +5233 <a href="#Page_319t">Philadephia[Philadelphia]</a> Porter<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_348tn" id="Page_348tn"></a>page 348: end of quote ambiguous<br /> + +questions were put replied after careful consideration as follows: +<a href="#Page_348t">'[could not find ending single quote]</a>Its physiological action is practically unknown.<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_360tn" id="Page_360tn"></a>page 360: typo corrected<br /> + +“Dr. <a href="#Page_360t">Hirschfield[Hirschfeld]</a>, a well-known physician of Magdeburg, +Germany, was recently arrested on a charge of malpractice.<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_361tn" id="Page_361tn"></a>page 361: typo corrected<br /> + +more than upon anything else, to screen it from <a href="#Page_361t">opprobium[opprobrium]</a>, +and just punishment for the evils which the traffic entails upon<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_381tn" id="Page_381tn"></a>page 381: added missing quote<br /> + +in their denunciations of the current beliefs concerning alcohol +in medicine.<a href="#Page_381t">["]</a>--<i>Journal A. M. A.</i>, January 6, 1900.<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_392tn" id="Page_392tn"></a>page 392: typo corrected<br /> + +RECENT RESEARCHES UPON <a href="#Page_392t">ALCOLOL.[ALCOHOL]</a><br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_402tn" id="Page_402tn"></a>page 402: typo corrected<br /> + +strictly <a href="#Page_402t">analagous[analogous]</a> to sugar and fats, provided always +that the amount used does not exceed that easily oxidized<br /><br /> + +<a name="Page_421tn" id="Page_421tn"></a>page 421: added missing quote<br /> + +and starve. But the next time they were sick, <i>I wasn’t the +doctor</i><a href="#Page_421t">.["]</a>--"<span class="smcap">Physician</span>" in <i>Our Federation</i>.<br /><br /> + +Throughout the index, typos corrected:<br /> + +Berkley and <a name="ind1t" id="ind1t"></a><a href="#ind1">Friendenwald[Friedenwald]</a>, 279<br /> + +<a name="ind2t" id="ind2t"></a><a href="#ind2">Delearde[Deléarde]</a>, Dr., Pasteur Institute, 279, 284<br /> + +<a name="ind3t" id="ind3t"></a><a href="#ind3">Fére[Fere]</a>, Dr., 203<br /> + +<a name="ind4t" id="ind4t"></a><a href="#ind4">Grehaut[Gréhant]</a>, 288<br /> + +<a name="ind5t" id="ind5t"></a><a href="#ind5">Hirshfield[Hirschfeld]</a>, Dr., 360, 380<br /> + +<a name="ind6t" id="ind6t"></a><a href="#ind6">Encyclopædia[Encyclopedia]</a> of Surgery, 209<br /> + +Lesser, Dr. A. <a name="ind7t" id="ind7t"></a><a href="#ind7">Monae[Monæ]</a>, success in treating fevers in Cuban War, 53<br /> + +<a name="ind8t" id="ind8t"></a><a href="#ind8">Massert[Massart]</a> and Bordet, leucocytes, 277<br /> + +<a name="ind9t" id="ind9t"></a><a href="#ind9">Panopeptone[Panopepton]</a>, 313<br /> + +<a name="ind10t" id="ind10t"></a><a href="#ind10">Phenacetin[Phenacetine]</a>, 300, 339, 340, 346, 354<br /> + +<a name="ind11t" id="ind11t"></a><a href="#ind11">Rushy[Rusby]</a>, Dr. H. H., 429<br /> + +<a name="ind12t" id="ind12t"></a><a href="#ind12">Stamreich[Stammreich]</a>, investigations, 379<br /> + +<a name="ind13t" id="ind13t"></a><a href="#ind13">Whiskey[Whisky]</a>, 28, 50, 112, 127, 155, 157, 173, 190, 193, 196, 210, 265, 370, 390<br /> + +<a name="ind14t" id="ind14t"></a><a href="#ind14">Zweiback[Zwieback]</a>, 175<br /> +</p> +</div> + + + + + + + +<pre> + + + + + +End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Alcohol: A Dangerous and Unnecessary +Medicine, How and Why, by Martha M. 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