Defence of Dr. Sewall's work on the pathology of drunkenness, and his drawings of the human stomach, as affected by the use of alcoholic drinks, from health to death by delirium tremens.
- Edward C. Delevan
- Date:
- [1843]
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Defence of Dr. Sewall's work on the pathology of drunkenness, and his drawings of the human stomach, as affected by the use of alcoholic drinks, from health to death by delirium tremens. Source: Wellcome Collection.
Provider: This material has been provided by the National Library of Medicine (U.S.), through the Medical Heritage Library. The original may be consulted at the National Library of Medicine (U.S.)
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![soning, not by examination. I allude to the ] is soft. The change in the one before me was adoption of the total abstinence principle as a [produced by alcohol, a strong smell ot which matter of practice. T have never yet seen (lie ; was emitted as the brain underwent the pro- CeSs of dissection. Yours respectfully, H. G AN SON. From T. JV. Blatchford, M. D. Dear Sir.—I am delighted with your ef- forts to give extensive circulation to the de- lineations of alcoholic inroads upon the deli- cate membrane of the human stomach. _ The idea of letting the eye fasten upon a specimen, while the ear receives its description, is the true way to make upon the mind lasting im- pressions of any subject. Hence the anato- mist, the physiologist, the naturalist, &c. &c. when practicable, always employs this method to teach their respective sciences. I rejoice that this method is being adopted in reference to the all important subject of temperance. I consider the day it was introduced as an im- portant era in the glorious cause. I am astonished to see that Dr. Sewall has been enabled to give such correct representa- tions of the various stages of alcoholic disease as it affects (he stomach. 1 have witnessed ihe examination of many stomachs, more or less accustomed to the use of alcoholic drinks, both in the London dissecting rooms, and in tracing's of that line that divides temperate from intemperate drinking, and until they, are made to appear, I am unable clearly to distin- guish the one from the other. In my judg- ment, nothing in any degree short of this prin- ciple can ever cleanse the fountains corrupted by intemperance, or banish from the world the evils of alcohol. Those who are sincere in advancing the temperance reform must see the propriety, nay, the necessity, of placing this principle in the van of their movement, and of adhering (o it in every stage of their progress. With much respect, Your humble serv't, AMOS DEAN. Albany, March 16, 1843. Batavia, Feb. 21, 1842. M. Taggart, Esq.—I cheerfully subjoin a description of the organ as developed in the present case. Pattrid<je hung himself upon a fence in this village on the evening of the 10th instant. It appeared in evidence that he had been a very intemperate man, and had drank several times during the day preceding his death, and had for many years indulged so ex- cessively in the use of intoxicating liquors, that he had rarely been free from the apparent our own, and I hesitate not To say that Sew effects of the stimulus. all's drawings correspond vividly with my On dissecting, the intestines were brought own recollections. The world owes him a to view, exhibiting a dark-red appearance, debt which time can never pay. As it re- bordering on black. On cutting out a portion gards their correctness, I fully agree in the of them, and laying open the inner surface, the opinions expressed by Drs. Hornor, Mott, lining membrane was shown to be completely engorged with blood, and in the highest de- gree inflamed. This appearance was observ- ed in nearly the whole extent of the small in- testines, comprising several feet in length The membrane dissected was found to cor- Warren, &c. &c. The impressions made upon the mind of our youth by these representations may be calcu- lated to be a« durable as their memories, for depend upon it, suclt earlv impressions are not easily effaced. I think the county of Rensse- respond with Dr. Sewall's plate of the stomach laer, if not immediately, will remotely ac- of a dmnkard after a debauch, but more high- ly inflamed. I next directed my attention to the stomach knowledge itself in this respect under weighty obligations lo YVm. P. Van Rensselaer. Esq., for his munificent donation. I see by the pa- and laying open its cavity, the color of the pers that he has Generously offered to defray lining membrane of the organ was seen to be (he expenses of placing one of Sewall's volumes changed from a pale rose tint, which is pecu liar to health, to a deep red, variegated with brown spots, and much more inflamed than Dr. Sewall's plate of the stomach of the con- firmed drunkard, but less so than that of the drunkard after a debauch. The coats of the stomach were also considerably thickened ; and from examination of the stomach and small intestines, we have strong and conclu- sive corroborative evidence of the fidelity of Dr. Sewall's plates of Ihe human stomach. From the stomach 1 proceeded to inspect the liver. This viscous in health, and in a man of temperate habits, has a purple huej but the liver in Pattridge was changed to a reddish drab color, peculiar to the drunkard's liver, and what in London is denominated a gin liver. The brain next demanded my attention. As I predicted before removing the skull cap, the brain, when brought to view and cut, was tough. The texture of a healthy man's brain in every school district in the county. It is a noble gift—it will meet with a rich reward— money could not be belter spent. 1 trust you imiv succeed with our Legisla- ture in your efforls for the neglected wander- er of the deep, and, if possible, our more neglected inland watermen. How the Legis- lature could appropriate a few dollars to bet- ter advantage, I cannot conceive. Make all our boatmen and sailors totally temperate, and I defv arithmetic to calculate the pecuniary benefit which would accrue to our empire state, to say nothing of higher and holier ad- vantages. Let it be remembered, too, that the sometimes tedious leisure of the sailor makes him a peculiarly fit subject to be be- nefitted by such a mode of instruction as you contemplate. With best wishes tor the good cause, I remain as ever, Yom-s, sincerely, THOS. W. BLATCHFORD. E. C. Delavan.](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b21114195_0016.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
