The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1890-08-21
EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL.
Scientifically Considered lnebriety 10
Dissolu tlon Of Brain Functions.

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velopment, or some form of functional or
organic degeneration, precedes the first
use of alcohol. In certain cases it is
clearly central nerve exhaustion,
functional perversions organic defects
from injury or disease, or hereditary
predisposition. The first use of al
cohol, either in so-called moderation, or
in toxic doses, as in intoxication, seems
to concentrate and organize the forces
of dissolution, which, from this time,
move on with great uniformity and &C.
celebrating speed. When inebriety is
fully developed, this is very apparent,
and often traceable from stage to stage.
The action of alcohol as paralyzant
on both cell and nerve fiber, and its
chemical interference with nutrition
and circulation together with the COM
pick forces of heredity and environ
mont are all powerful causes readily
explaining the presence and progress of
dissolution.
In the more recent studies of the mind,
three divisions are recognized, the emo
tions, the volitions and the intellect;
from these the evolutions and dissolu-
tions can be traced. The study of in
ebriety should follow these divisions,
and point out the changes from a
healthy mind. Beginning with the
present trace back the emotional, Volt
tional and intellectual changes, and as
certain how far they have been the re-
suit of alcohol and narcotics; or of
previous degenerations, defects, in
juries or hereditaries. While the facts
are numerous and complex, and often
difficult to substantiate, vet when
grouped and compared they range them
selves into certain outline forms of dis
solution that can not be mistaken. The
following are some of the general facts
seen in all cases of inebriety. The dis
solution of volition is the first promi-
nent symptom. This is loss of self-con-
troll, either local or general. The CO.
ordinating brain centers are enfeebled,
and the man is unable to direct his
acts or conduct with consistency. The
greater the loss of vital energy, the
weaker the volition, until finally he is a
mere creature of any functional impulse
that may be present Alcohol not only
produces loss of nerve energy, but dam
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store this loss, and the desire for relief
becomes more and more intense, de-
handing continuance of spirits for
this end. This dissolution process may
be apparent only in matters controlling
the functions of the body, and the in
f1uence OF surroundings upon them, or
it may extend to relations of life be-
yond this. DIR. Wright has very aptly
termed this paralysis at first func-
tional, then organic" Beginning in
failure to regulate the more simple
acts OF the body, it extends to the COM
pick duties and relations, and finally
ends in dementia. The inebriate has
always more or less pronounced dissolu-
ton of volition, which increases &c his
case becomes more chronic.
The next prominent phase of dis
solution is that of the emotions or feel
ings. The exhaustion from the palsy
OF alcohol and the arrangement which
may have preceded it. manifests itself in
emotional changes, in great exaltations
and depressions. The psychical sen.
sorry centers are in a state of intense ir-
ritation, and all impressions cause pain,
both psycbical and physical. Alcohol
relieves this quickly. States of brain
an@mia, which Meynert thinks are due
to spasm of the arterioles and an
arrest of the blood supply, cause deep
despair and melancholia. In the early
; .tages an effort is made to escape these
lerve depressions by the increased use
of spirits Later it deepens into
despair and suicide. The civilizations
and hyperasthesia are followed by a
profound lowering of all the functions
with anesthesia., These emotional ex-
aggerations and depressions are palsies
of the sensory centers and designations
of energy. Manifest in slight changes
at first, then it passes on to mania and
melancholia. The inebriate has always
"a pronounced dissolution of the emo
: tions. He is subject to every appeal
from both within and without, and the
capacity of discrimination and control
becomes weaker steadily In the Tenn
perance, political and prayer meeting
these cases are very interesting studies,
and the degree of dissolution can be
very readily seen.
The third diversion is the dissolution
OF the intellect and Intelligence. This
function is the power of associating
ideas and comparing them with others.
1t has been described as the process of
the formation of new ideas by the union
of one already impressed tract of nerve
tissue with another. Or the process of
utilizing new and unused groups of
sensory motor cells by uniting them to
those already in use; or of getting into
action organized tracts of thought in
the exercise of memory. Any state or
condition of paralysis which will break
up the complicated sensori-motor
groups, or sever their minute attach
ments; will be manifest in the intelli.
gence.::'
The Melusions, the false beliefs the
strange unreasonings and credulities of
lnebrlates are common in all cases. Be-
glnnlng:ln simple matters pertaining to
the bodily functions. it grows until it
lncludeshll the relations of matter and
mind. With the decline of nervous en-
ergy, and impairment of the higher
functions of the brain, the LESSONS of
intelligence increase. 1t may be for a
long time apparently confined OF
the care and control of the body, but as
dissolution goes on 1T embraces every
function of the brain. In some cases =
degree of automatic intelligence re-
mains long after general brain failure
appears. This has given rise to false
belief that an inebriate may possess un-
impaired Judgment and intelligence on
to the end of life. In these three WAYS
the march Of dissolution can be traced
in all cases. Beyond this there is q
phase Of dissolution not so clear, be-
cause it concerns the higher and more
obscure functions of the brain called
conscience. The inebriate early e.
hibtts failure of this, the latest formed
element, the character. His conception
of truth and duty to others, and his
recognitions of the higher relations and
duties OF life, undergo marked dissolu.
tion. His veracity, his honor, his pride
OF character, his sense Of duty, ali sui.
fer, and are finally paralyzed.
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