My cases have not all been cured. But I have seen what was considered hopeless take a favourable turn. There are diphtheria cases which are not influenced by antitoxin in small or big doses. I cannot tell the cause of the antiseptic action of alcoholic beverages in sufficient doses. I merely refer to occurrences and observations extending over half a century. Let somebody else explain. Meanwhile take the hint”.
As a hypnotic. alcohol has proved its value as a hypnotic. Sollman states: “alcohol, especially in the form of beer, taken at night, and in the absence of excitement, is a fairly efficient hypnotic, producing less derangement than most other hypnotics”.
Vomiting. Hare recommends brandy on cracked ice for vomiting. Bastedo while simultaneously acting as a food.
Old age. In the aged its excellent effects are too well known to require much comment. Solis-Cohen states: “In persons of more advanced years, however, as in those who do hard manual or mental labour, life is apparently not so well sustained in its total absence; and this is true beyond doubt of the majority of adults who suffer from cardiac debility, with diabetes, with blood dyscrasias, with cancer and other chronic affections of depressing and wasting type.
Space does not permit me to give further details as to the manifold uses of alcohol in medicine. suffice it to say that a remedy bearing the endorsement of such eminent authorities as those quoted, even if not approved by a small minority of physicians who disapprove of this useful drug because it is occasionally abused, must be judged in an unbiased manner, and its true usefulness conceded.
Gluttony in drinking is not more excusable than gluttony in eating. One drink of an alcoholic liquor is undoubtedly helpful while twelve drinks in succession are harmful-but no more harmful than twelve pork chops in succession. Both must be taken within reasonable limits to prove useful.
