240 THE PHENOMENA OF MOTION 



of these tissues, now combines with the elements of 

 alcohol. The arterial blood becomes venous, with- 

 out the substance of the muscles having taken any 

 share in the transformation. 



Now we observe, that the developement of heat 

 in the body, after the use of wine, increases rather 

 than diminishes, without the manifestation of a cor- 

 responding amount of mechanical force. 



A moderate quantity of wine, in women and chil- 

 dren unaccustomed to its use, produces, on the con- 

 trary, a diminution of the force necessary for volun- 

 tary motions. Weariness, feebleness in the limbs, 

 and drowsiness, plainly shew that the force available 

 for mechanical purposes, in other words, the change 

 of matter, has been diminished. 



A diminution of the conducting power of the 

 nerves of voluntary motion may doubtless take a 

 certain share in producing these symptoms ; but this 

 must be altogether without influence on the sum of 

 available force. 



What the conductors of voluntarv motion cannot 

 carry away for effects of force, must be taken up by 

 the nerves of involuntary motion, and conveyed to 

 the heart, lungs, and intestines. In this case, the 

 circulation will appear accelerated at the expense of 

 the force available for voluntary motion ; but, as 

 was before remarked, without the production of a 

 greater amount of mechanical force by the process 

 of oxidation of the alcohol. 



Finally, we observe, in hybernating animals, that, 



