The psychology of alcoholism / by George B. Cutten.

  • Cutten, George Barton, 1874-1962.
Date:
1907
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: The psychology of alcoholism / by George B. Cutten. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    they present the stimulation theory in a new light. They say that alcohol is not a depressant but a stimulant; it is selective in its stimulation, affecting principally the inhibitory mechanism and not the motor, hence the apparent paralyzing effect. The flushing of the skin under the influence of alcohol is accordingly not due to the paralysis of the vaso- constrictor nerves, but to the stimulation of the vaso- dilator nerves. An adherent of this theory says:— “ Alcohol favours the irritability of the inhibitory mechanisms. I do not doubt in the least that alcohol stimulates also motor sensory nerves, or the organs of activity in general. I only suggest that in a cer- tain dilution and at a certain stage, alcohol, when in contact with the nerve cells, either directly stimulates preferably some of the normal inhibitory mechanisms of the body or increases their irritability. As acon- sequence of this stimulation the perception for finer differences becomes decreased, the reaction time is prolonged, the formation of associations and the irradiation of stimuli within the central nervous system become restricted. Also the tonicity of all the muscles is reduced and the execution of motion is rendered difficult... . Strychnine is a stimulant, and alcohol is a stimulant; but strychnine stimulates preferably the motor or active mechanisms, while alco- hol stimulates preferably the inhibitory mechanisms,” ?! Between these two principal theories we have nothing to choose, since they both admit the facts, and this is of greatest consequence. These facts will form the basis of the discussion which will foliow on the psychology of alcoholism, and either theory may provisionally be accepted. The paralysis theory is. more widely recognized and has more influence in its favour; and since the final effect appears to be that of paralysis and to coincide with general paresis, it seems natural to attribute the initial form to that of 1S. J. Meltzer, ‘‘The Influence of Alcohol upon Infection, and its Use in the Treatment of Acute Infectious Diseases,” Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, vol. cxlvii. p. 69, July roth, 1g02.