Reid Hunt (1870–1948),[1] was an American pharmacologist, known for his work on adrenal glands; where he postulated that extracts from which cause rise in blood pressure due to its content of adrenaline.

When he removed the adrenaline from the extract and he found that it causes fall in blood pressure, which he concluded was due to a derivative of choline, later on known as acetylcholine.

“It is believed that these experiments afford clear experimental evidence for the view that extremely moderate amount of alcohol may cause distinct changes in certain physiological functions, and that these changes, in certain circumstances may be injurious to the body.

[2] "I frequently obtained extracts of the suprarenal (and also of the brain) which caused a fall of blood pressure... and which were also more powerful than choline...

Studies involving acetonitrile showed that the poisoning is mainly due to the hydrocyanic acid liberated in the organism and its ability to neutralise various sulphur compounds.