title: Medicinal brandy.
abstract: This paper describes the use of brandy and other forms of alcohol in the latter part of the 19th and early 20th centuries. Its prime use was as a cardiac stimulant as it seemed to increase the cardiac output and blood pressure. However it was also recognised as a depressant and was used as a sedative. Reconciling these two actions caused difficulties. In addition it was used as a food for invalids.
authors.affiliation: Emergency Department, Derriford Hospital Plymouth, Derriford Rd., Plymouth, Devon PL6 8DH, UK. henry.guly@phnt.swest.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Henry
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Guly
mesh_terms: D001794:Blood Pressure / Q000187:drug effects; D002302:Cardiac Output / Q000187:drug effects; D000431:Ethanol / Q000266:history*; D006323:Heart Arrest / Q000266:history* / Q000628:therapy; D049672:History, 19th Century; D049673:History, 20th Century; D006801:Humans; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000266:history* / Q000379:methods; D006113:United Kingdom
chemical_list: D000431:Ethanol