ALCOHOLISM

n. A2l’ko-ho?l-i2zm, Lat., alcoholism us, alcool is mus. Fr., alcool is me. Ger., Alko holism us. It, alcoalismo. Sp, alcoholismo. A term, first used (in its Latin form) by Magnus Hu , of Stockholm, in 1848, comprining, the various phenomena which collectively are traceable to the influence of alcoholic liquors taken into the system. [D, 1.]—Acute a. Lat., alcoholism us acutus. Fr, alcool is me aigu, délire alcool i que. Ger., akuter Alko holism us. It., alcoolismo acuto. Sp., alcoholismo agudo. 1. Acute intoxication roduced by alcohol. The symptoms of acute a. occur in CE to Rae of excitement characterized by rversion of intellect, evidenced by want of mental balance and by hallucinations, emotional excitement, and inco-ordination of movement giving rise to a peculiar staggering gait, to difficulty of speech, and to diploal (6) A stage of coma, with the breathing stertorous, the pulse ‘ull and slow, the pupils dilated and sluggish, and complete insensibility pese sometimes with convulsive movements. The stage of coma is followed by a period of depre ion of mental and physical faculties, with headache, nausea, and vomiting. In le severe cases the stage of coma may be absent altogether. 2. Acute alcoholic delirium. [B; D, 25.] See DELIRIUM tremens.— Chronic a. Lat., alcoholism us chronic us. Fr., alcool is me chronique. Ger., chronischer Alcoholism us, Trunksucht, Säuferkrankheit. It, alcoolismo cronico. Sp., alcoholismo crénico. Syn.: chronic alcohol disease, chronic alcoholic intoxication. The series of phenomena induced by the persistent and immoderate use of alcoholic beverages. pes these phenomena are a diminished power of resistance to fatigue, disease, and the effects of injuries, a chronic gastro-intestinal catarrh producing dyspepsia. anorexia, nausea, and vomiting, a tendency to fatty and cirrhotic degeneration of various organs, especially the liver, kidneys, and heart, and various cerebral, spinal, and neural lesions, producing neuralgia, amaurosis, muscular tremors and inco-ordination of movement, circulatory disturbances, insomnia, and various forms of mental alienation, such as melancholia and general paralysis. [B.]