The Newtown bee., 1891-12-18
THE OPEN PARLIAMENT
Effects of Alcoholic Drinks.

Another saloon keeper in the Hook
his life. 1t would seem as il such cases
ought be II warning to others in the same
business, as we'll as to those who use al
coholc beverages; but still its increasing
use goes on.
We have three vital organs within us.
Death is produced by the stoppage of the
action of any one Of the three organs, the
heart, the lungs or the brain.
How does alcohol affect these organs?
From the stomach, alcohol passes di-
rectly into the circulation of the blood
and, so, in a few minutes, is swept
through the entire system. Its eager de-
sire for water will lead it to absorb
moisture from the red corpuscles, caus-
ing them to shrink, changing their form,
making them harden and lose some of
their ability to carry oxygen. 1t may
even make them adhere in masses and so
hinder their passage through the tiny
capillaries. When the blood tends, as in
the case of an excessive use of spirits, to
coagulate in the capillaries, there is IL
ability of obstruction to the flow of the
vital current through the heart, liver,
lungs, etc, that may cause disease and,
In the brain, may lay the foundation of
paralysis or, in extreme cases, of apo
plexy. Wherever the alcoholized blood
goes through the body, it bathes the del
icate cells with an irritating narcotic
poison, instead of bland nutritious sub
stance. Here we can see how certainly
the presence of alcohol interferes with
the action of the heart and the lungs.
Alcohol also has a tendency to cause a
formation of an unstable substance re-
semblng fat; so the use of liquor, for
even a short time, may increase the
weight, but more marked influence is
to check the ordinary waste Of the sys-
tenn so that the amount of carbonic acid
exhaled from the lungs may be reduced
as much as 80 to 80 per cent.
The life process is one of incessant
change. Its rapidity is essential to vigor
and strength. When the functions are
in full play, each organ is being con-
built with the materials furnished from
food. Anything that checks this oxydat-
ion of the tissues, or binders the deposit
ion of new matter, disturbs the vita
function. Both these results are the in
evitable effect of alcohol.
Then, again, alcohol does not impari
strength, nor impart heat. Experience
To- n y ha nj
undergoing severe bodily exertion. Mer
who are in training for running, rowing
and other contests where great strength
is required deny themselves all liquors
even when they are ordinarily accustom
ed to their use.
Contrary to the accepted opinion, liz
uor does not fortify against cold. Thu
experience of travellers at the north coin
cdes with that of DIR Hayes. the Arctic
explorer, who says, ''While fat is abso
luteiy essential to the inhabitants ant
travellers in Arctic countries, alcohol is
in almost any shape, not only complete
ly useless, but positively injurious.
have known strong, able bodied men t.
become utterly incapable of resisting
cold in consequence of long continued
use of alcoholic drink"
During the first flush after drinking
wine, for example, a sense of warmth il
felt. This Is due to the tides of warn
blood that are being sent to the surface
of the body. There is, however, NJ
fresh heat developed. On the contrary
the bringing the blood to the surface
causes it to cool faster, reaction sets in
a chilliness is experienced, as one be.
comes sober and several hours are re-
quired to restore the usual heat.
We could continue on, page after page,
and not one plea could we truly find in
favor of the use of alcoholic drinks