Absorption and Elimination.—From experiments on animals, it has been shown that alcohol is rapidly absorbed, and then eliminated from the system, and that all traces of alcohol may disappear in a few hours, and yet death be the result of its action. Alcohol is supposed to be decomposed in the body, but the exact changes it undergoes do not appear to be very clearly made out.
Fatal Period.—Death has occurred in a few minutes after a large dose of alcohol had been swallowed. The average fatal period is about twenty-four hours. Death may also be an indirect result of the action of alcohol on the system.
Fatal Dose.—Uncertain. The age and habits of the individual must be considered. Between three and four ounces proved fatal to a boy seven years of age.
Table showing the Points of Distinction between Concussion
of the Brain, Alcoholic Poisoning, and
Poisoning by Opium.
| Concussion of the Brain. | Alcoholic Poisoning. | Poisoning by Opium. |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Marks of violence on | 1. The absence of | 1. Same as under |
| the head. | marks of violence, | alcohol. |
| unless the person has | ||
| fallen on the ground. | ||
| The history of the | ||
| case will help in | ||
| forming an opinion. | ||
| 2. Stupor comes on | 2. Excitement | 2. The symptoms |
| suddenly. | previous to the | slow in appearing; |
| stupor, which comes | drowsiness, stupor, | |
| on suddenly. | lethargy. Muscles | |
| relaxed, and | ||
| locomotion impossible. | ||
| The patient may be | ||
| roused by a sharp | ||
| question. | ||
| 3. Face pale and cold; | 3. Face flushed; and | 3. The face pale, |
| the pupils sluggish and | pupils generally | pupils contracted. |
| insensible to light | dilated. | |
| sometimes dilated. | ||
| 4. Remissions are | 4. Partial recovery | 4. Remissions are, as |
| rare, the patient | may take place, | a rule, rare in this |
| recovering slowly, | followed by death | form of poisoning. |
| and with some | after the lapse | |
| confusion of ideas. | of some hours. | |
| 5. Absence of the | 5. Presence of the | 5. Odour of opium |
| odour of alcohol in | odour of alcohol in | in the breath. |
| breath; if present, | the breath. | |
| it is probably due | ||
| to the treatment of | ||
| bystanders. |
Chemical Analysis.—Tests for Alcohol:
1. Characteristic smell.
2. It dissolves camphor.
3. Treated with dilute sulphuric acid and a strong solution of bichromate of potash, the green oxide of chromium is set free, and the vapour of aldehyde may be detected by the smell.
4. Burnt under the mouth of a test tube, moistened with solution of baryta or lime-water, a deposit is formed in the tube of carbonate of baryta or lime.