Physiological reflections on the destructive operation of spirituous and fermented liquors on the animal system / [T. Forster].

  • Forster, T. (Thomas), 1789-1860
Date:
1812
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Physiological reflections on the destructive operation of spirituous and fermented liquors on the animal system / [T. Forster]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the digestive organs, appears, when indulged in to any degree, to occasion a peculiar dis¬ eased state of the liver. This has been called, almost proverbially, the drinker's liver. Dis¬ sections have demonstrated the frequency of this diseased appearance, in those who have habitually drank freely of spiritous liquors. I recollect, however, the case of a rum drinker, in whom the liver was found nearly healthy. Great and distressing dis¬ order of function, however, may exist for a long time, and become the exciting cause of other fatal diseases, without producing mor¬ bid alterations of structure in the viscera, de¬ monstrable by dissection. In the case above alluded to the small intestines were exces¬ sively agglutinated, and exhibited every mark of enteritis. Such peculiar disease of the liver has often been discovered in those who have died of apoplexy; and indeed the hepatic functions have very generally been found to be much disordered in that disease, as well as in all the train of what are called nervous and comatose complaints. The speedy relief often experienced in these diseases by the administration of small