The giddiness of intoxication is always greater in darkness than in the
light. I know of no rational way in which this can be explained; but,
certain it is, the drunkard never so well knows his true condition as
when alone and in darkness. Possibly the noise and light distracted the
mind, and made the bodily sensations be, for the time, in some measure
unfelt.
There are some persons who get sick from drinking even a small quantity;
and this sickness is, upon the whole, a favourable circumstance, as it
proves an effectual curb upon them, however much they may be disposed
to intemperance. In such cases, it will generally be found that the
sickness takes place as soon as vertigo makes its appearance: it seems,
in reality, to be produced by this sensation. This, however, is a rare
circumstance, for though vertigo from ordinary causes has a strong
tendency to produce sickness, that arising from drunkenness has seldom
this effect. The nausea and sickness sometimes occurring in intoxication,
proceed almost always from the surcharged and disordered state of the
stomach, and very seldom from the accompanying giddiness.
Intoxication, before it proceeds too far, has a powerful tendency to
increase the appetite. Perhaps it would be more correct to say, that
inebriating liquors, by stimulating the stomach, have this power. We
often see gluttony and drunkenness combined together at the same time.
This continues till the last stage, when, from overloading and excess of
irritation, the stomach expels its contents by vomiting.
All along, the action of the kidneys is much increased, especially at the
commencement of intoxication. When a large quantity of intoxicating fluid
has been suddenly taken into the stomach, the usual preliminary symptoms
of drunkenness do not appear. An instantaneous stupefaction ensues; and
the person is at once knocked down. This cannot be imputed to distention
of the cerebral vessels, but to a sudden operation on the nervous
branches of the stomach. The brain is thrown into a state of collapse,
and many of its functions suspended. In such cases, the face is not at
first tumid and ruddy, but pale and contracted. The pulse is likewise
feeble, and the body cold and powerless. When re-action takes place,
these symptoms wear off, and those of sanguineous apoplexy succeed;
such as turgid countenance, full but slow pulse, and strong stertorous
breathing. The vessels of the brain have now become filled, and there is
a strong determination to that organ.
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