ALCOHOL is diluted and used for sponge baths. The alcohol does no good; it does no harm. Its discontinuance would work no hardship. A tepid sponge bath of warm water is just as efficient.
Alcohol is used to disinfect the surgeons' hands and the patients' skin before operations. There are many methods of disinfection equally good. Hence alcohol for this purpose is not an essential.
Alcohol is used in the preparation of many medicines. The tinctures and fluid extracts of medicines have from ten to twenty-five per cent of alcohol to preserve and keep the active principles in solution. As the dose of most fluid extracts and tinctures is from five to fifteen drops, the one to three drops of alcohol is quite inconsequential. The alkaloids and active principles of medicines can be more accurately administered in pill and tablet form.
Being Rapidly Discarded
Alcoholic preparations of medicine are rapidly being discarded by even those physicians who still rely largely upon drugs as curative measures. One of America's largest pharmaceutical houses confines its operations almost exclusively to the dry preparation of medicines. The elimination of alcohol in medicinal products would be no calamity.
Alcohol in the form of brandy, whisky, wines, and beer is used by many physicians for a great variety of conditions.
It is true that alcohol to the amount of about three ounces a day may be oxidized in the body. Gunpowder can be oxidized in a cook stove, but that does not prove that it makes a safe and satisfactory fuel.
The history of alcohol has been one of delusion, and its reputation for value in disease is only another illustration of its delusional qualities, in that it has deceived a large body of investigating men. However, many of the world's foremost physicians condemn the use of alcohol.
It Makes the White Blood Cells Drunk
Alcohol in medicinal doses lowers the resistance of the body to infection. The white blood cells are one of the body defenses against invading germs. The white blood cells will attack and destroy the bacteria. Alcohol definitely injures the white blood cells, and is as disastrous as drunkenness in an army on a battle-field. There is no physiologic action of alcohol that can not be duplicated more safely and more effectually by other means.
Should the absolute prohibition of alcohol in medicine be realized, the following effects would be noted: A considerable number of physicians would feel themselves hopelessly crippled; others would soon find substitutes that are better; many would never miss it; and the patients of all would be benefited.
