Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1876-02-01
NUMBER 3.


and physicians should determine when
stimuIauts as medicine are necessary.
The parts OF the body which possess
the most energetic vitality, the brain, the
nerves and tho neryo material Of The
spinal cord, are principally composed OF
matter of the most pulpy consisLence, so
soft that it may be almost termed melting.
This nerve pulp is packed into minute
pliny sacks and tubes discernblc only by
microscopic aid. Through These Tiny
and almost invisible films the blood is
"fltered.n The nerve pulp sppropriates
such qualities of the blood as nourisn lie
and build up the structure and %. tne
same time reject aud throw back into the
stream their own waste particles. Large
quantities OF water enter into the c0mpo-
sition of this pulpy mater, and tie hrst
evil effect of sleouoi Is 90 gitAdarw lnis
water. For alcohol mas an "uucontrolia-
Bile impulse" to draw water into itseit.--
Excessive use OF alcohol harter9 and
dries up the nerve pulp IN such 2 way a.
to impair il not spoil it for IT'S proper
office. When excessive drinking does not
produce intoxication Il is because the
nerve pulp has become igsensioie as an
"oiled silk
The flushed face upon the approach oil
inebriation is among the earliest signs Of
the disturbance OF these delicate filters
in their work, the face being among the
parts of the body exceptionally supplied
with blood. The restraining or filter
ing work Of the pulpy substance is I'M
paired, and hence the unnatural reception
OF blood into the pulp cells. IL this M
natural process is repeated Or becomes
habitual, the blotched, red, Swollen and
piulpled face is the result 81 keeping the
nerve pulp saturated with alcohol, and
the delicate membranes, thickaned, dried
and dyed red. show through Tie skin.
The first stages Of iutoyiceton are
shown in the want Of command o-cr the
lower lip and lower limbs. Tho nerve
pulp of the spinal cord is touched. The
muscles feel the torpor Trembling and
shuddering follow. Next the nerve pulp
of the brain comes under the evil ialu-
ence, and the control Of the Judgment aud
the will disappear. When a man is what
is termed "dead drunk, the paralysis OF
the higher nerve centres and Of the brain
is carried TO its full end. All inlets OF the
senses are closed all consciousness and
sensation are destroyed, and ali power OF
voluntary movement is efaced. The
heart-the seed of life-toils on 1t an
enormous quantity Of alcohol is swallow
ed at once, as in the case OF foolish
wagers, the toll Of the heart soon ceases
and the man is dead indeed. But in or
dinary instances the tlrpor saves liie' a'
it stops the drinker just at the point when
further drinking would kill him outright
With this general view of the effects OF
alcohol aud the manner in which they
are produced. it is easy to understand
why headache, sleeplessress, nausea
palpitation Of the heart, and the "trem-
bling delirium" accompany and follow
the excessive use OF alcohol. \ poison
in the stomach can be pumped out or
voided. A poison ia the blood must wax
removal till the efforts OF nature effect It.
But when nature Itself Is abused or im-
paired, its recuperative power soon be-
come destroyed. The effects OF continued
alcoholization upon the liver, kidneys and
stomach it is unnecessary to describe as
they are we'll understood But where
the mischievous process begins and how
Il is continued are points new TO the most
non. medical readers.