The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1906-06-06
TIE GREAT DESTROYER
SOME STARTLING FACTS ABOUT
THE VICE OF INTEMPERANcE.

alcohol anu He2ltn-1Gs Long SoH-
tiuued Action on The Stomach Leads to
Catarrh-Not Suitable For Those Who
Have to Undergo Muscular Fatigue
Robert S. Forrest, NJ. B. c. NJ.
A~uchterarder, writes as follows: Alco-
hol is obtained by the action of the
yeast fungus on vegetable substances
rich in sugar or starch. 1t is the i'll
gredient of fermented beverages which
gives them their intoxicating qualities.
1t is a clear, colorless liquid, with a
hot pungent taste, and a faint but
characteristic odor. 1t has a great af-
fnity for water. and for this reason
it is very difficult to obtain pure alco'
hol by distillation-the most concen-
trated alcohol obtained by distillation
containing ten per cent. Of water. 1t
burns with a pale blue fame, gives
little or no light, but produces intense
heat and does not leave any ash.
When taken internally, alcohol first
causes an increase of saliva. In the
| stomach it causes dilatatiOn Of the
blood vessels with consequent REDEEM
ing Of the walls of that organ. In
large quantities or in concentrated
form it diminishes the amount of the
gastric secretions. Some authorities
state that the gastric secretion is re-
tarded when alcohol is present to the
extent of only two per cent. and that
the activity of the gastric juice is en-
| tirely arrested when fifteen per cent. Of
| alcohol is present. This retarding in
| fuence is specially marked when wines
are taken. as the volatile substances
contained in wine exercise a power
fully retarding action on the process OF
digestion.
The long continued action Of alcohol
on the stomach leads to catarrh, the
stomach becoming coated with thick
tough mucous which hampers diges-
ton and causes the food to undergo
fermentation and decomposition. In
addition. alcohol increases the mus
cular contraction of the stomach, and
so aids the expulsion of its contents
into the intestines.
Except in large quantities alcohol
does not pass into the bowels but is
absorbed from the stomach into the
blood. It is not acted upon by the
gastric secretions but enters the blood
unchanged. While circulating in the
blood it ALTERS the condition of the
blood in such a way that less oxygen
is given off to the tissues and as q
consequence the tear and wear OF the
tissues are diminished. Its presence in
the blood gives rise 70 effects on the
nervous system, and through it on the
different organs of the body. 1t first
stimulates and then depresses the
nervous system. The action Of the
heart is accelerated and there is
marked dilatation of the blood vessels,
so that q state of temporary conges-
ton of the various organs is produced.
This dilatation is most noticeable IN
the vessels Of the skin, and gives rise
to a feeling of warmth.
On the brain the action Of alcohol
IS very marked. In moderate quantity
it stimulates the higher centres Of the
brain-the reasoning powers are In
creased in activity, ideas flow more
freely. the imagination is excited and
the power of speech is increased. In
larger quantity these higher functions
of the brain are depressed, as is shown
by the judgment becoming lost or i'm
paired, the speech becoming thick and
utterance difficult. The imagination
and the emotions are depressed and
sensibility' is diminished. Muscular
movements become irregular so that
the gait Is unsteady, or may be par
alyzed so that the person cannot main
tain the erect posture. If the quantity
taken is great, death may be caused by
paralysis of the vital centres in the
brain. The deleterious effects on the
nervous system are further shown by
the large increase in the number Of
cases of alcoholic insanity. Forty years
ago female cases of general paralysis
Of the insane "a disease caused by al
cohol and vice. were so rare as to call
for special comment, but at the present
date the number Of such cases has in
creased so much that comment is now
made on their frequency. Alcohol is
very unsuitable for and ought to be
avoided by nervous people.
The stimulating effects of alcohol
do not last long, and are followed by
depression. For this reason alcoholic
beverages are not suitable for those
who have to undergo any muscular
fatigue or severe eXertion. 1t does not
give additional strength but merely
enables O mar to draw upon his re-
serve energy. 1t may give assistance
in a single effort, but not in prolonged
exertion. Also those who resort to
alcohol for the purpose Of stimulating
their intellectual faculties require to
increase the frequency and quantity OF
the dose to keep up the stimulating
effect.