Lexington gazette. [volume] (Lexington, Va.) 1871-1962, 1905-10-11
ACTION OF ALCOHOL.
WHY AND HOW IT MAKES A MAN
INTOXICATED.

A Scientific Explanation of n Much
Too Common Phehomenon-''Fur-
furoI," a Heretofore Unknown Ele-
ment, the Germ of Drunkenness.
"When alcoholic liquors are drunk
the effect is, of course, first perceptible
on the lips and tongue, then on the
throat and stomach and after the lapse
of short time on the system in gem
sral," said leading St Loais chemist
10 q Globe Democrat reporter.
'"This effect is slightly irritant In
character, the degree Of irritation de-
pending on the proportion of alcohol
the irritation.
"The first effect of liquor is a stimu-
lating one. The heart muscle does
more work; the blood courses more
swiftly through the veins; the nerve
centers and nerve fbers feel the stimu-
iation, and the supply of blood to the
brain is increased thus stimulating
thought, action and emotion.
ut is In this stage that men feel that
glow of good fellowship which leads
them to declare their love and admira-
ton first for themselves and their own
achievements and then for their fell
low men.
During this preliminary stage, when
the system is under the stimulation re-
ferred to, there is general sense Of
what the French 80 aptly term 'bien
aise,' but for which the best equivalent
we have is the phrase well being Not
only are the physical centers uplifted,
but often the moral ones as we'll. 1t Ia
no uncommon thing to hear q man in
his cups bewail his failures and firmly
avow his determination to do better.
This is due not so much to any person
al equation on the part Of the subject
as to the decided stimulation Of the
brain. particularly those portions In
which the centers of thought and emo
ton are seated. This stimulation is, Of
course, but temporary, though it may
be prolonged for short period by repe-
tition Of the dose.
AFTER passing through the digestive
organs the alcohol enters the blood I'm.
changed. Here, meeting with the aka
Unity Of the blood, the alcohol becomes
acid and sets free the active principle
OF intoxication, which has been termed
furfurOl.' In intoxication we have to
deal first with ethylic alcohol. Of which
fusel oil has long been considered the
most active element. Recent investiga- |
tons have proved that 1t Is a heretofore
unknown element of this fusel oil |
which causes all the trouble. BY proc
ess Of elimination this element has |
been separated and so recognized and |
named furfurOl. It has also been found |
that this element is not separated or
set free from the alcohol until 1t en-
a certain element in the blood |
FOR which 1t has an affinity. Therefore,
while the alcohol is passing through the
digestive organs, not having yet been
passed on into the blood, and thence
INTO the general circulation, 1t Is only
The pleasant features OF a mild sys-
.emic stimulation which are expert
snced.
"Once the alcohol has passed into
the circulation, however, the trouble
begins Under the stimulation already
to the heart muscles have
been working harder. the veins and
arteries have expanded to accommo-
late the increased flow Of blood, the
brain and nerve centers have become
more active by the stimulation being
and coming from without
'ather than from within; these organs,
)nce the momentary stimulus fails, be-
gin to flag, and all the effect is lost.
t is just so that an engine making an
unusual squirt OF speed under extra
PRESSURE Of steam slows down and
lnally stops when steam Is withdrawn.
at seems paradoxical that furfurol,
! constituent of alcohol, should act the
'ery opposite Of alcohol Prior to Its
into the circulation we have
zen that the effects on the body are
pleasant when taken In small quaint
les. When large amount Is taken II
4 course passes proportionately quick
n into the blood, and its evil effects
re more apparent Being Of highly
character, 1t sets up state
f inflammation, more or less acute, In
ii the tissues with which it comes in
ontact Passing through the veins
md arteries, already expanded by
Emulation, Its irritating qualities
ause them to contract, and so circula-
Ion is impeded. The delicate sheaths
+ the nerves also feel It and convey
be sense of irritation to the brain,
Vhere 1t is impressed and recorded.
his, then, is what brings about the
irritable and quarrelsome stage OF
"In subjects long accustomed to al
ohol, Of course, this element In time
oses some of its power, and larger and
till larger doses are taken In order to
btain the accustomed effect The body
issues. having felt the irritation, strive
D adapt themselves to it. but with \
cry poor results. Should still more
urfurol enter the system the irritation
increased to such an extent that the
erves are no longer capable Of record
lg It, The poison--for 1t is an active
on through the circula-
on, benumbing every organ and ev-
~ tissue 1t touches, until the victim I
Ills into q state Of stupor" /