516 BIOLOGY FOR BEGINNERS 



Alcohol, then, is not a food, because 



1. It produces a net loss of energy, though oxidized. 



2. It does not build tissue, but poisons it. 



3. It furnishes its small apparent energy at great expense. 



Effect on Nutrition. Alcohol withdraws water from all food- 

 stuffs and acts chemically on proteid, exerting a hardening action 

 in both cases and hindering the work of the digestive fluids. In 

 the same way it hardens and irritates the tissues lining the ali- 

 mentary canal, especially the walls of the stomach, where it al- 

 ways interferes with normal action, and may cause serious disease. 

 Alcohol certainly increases the flow of digestive fluids and its 

 medicinal use was based largely on this effect until it was found 

 that the abnormal flow caused a lack of fluids later, and that 

 glands that had been " stimulated " by alcohol, refused to re- 

 spond to the presence of mere food. 



" Acceleration of gastric action is counter-balanced by inhibi- 

 tory effect of alcohol on the chemical processes of digestion." 

 Chittenden. 



The direct effect of alcohol is shown most plainly in its action 

 on the liver, where, as already mentioned, it overtaxes and irri- 

 tates that important organ. Over 60 per cent of deaths due to 

 cirrhosis of the liver are cases where the disease was caused by 

 alcoholic liquors. 



Effect on Circulation. The chief effect of even small amounts 

 of alcohol is to paralyze the vaso-motor nerves which control the 

 blood flow and heart action. 



Thus with relaxed artery walls and lessened heart regulation, 

 the pulse is quickened, the blood is driven to the skin and mucous, 

 membranes, and the familiar " stimulant " effects rare poduced. 

 Notice in the first place that this is due, not to any " stimulation " 

 at all, but to a deadening of the nerve controls, and second, that, 

 although the skin feels warm, due to the excess blood, it is actually 

 losing heat, because so much blood has been brought to the surface. 



"The general temperature is always lowered." Macey. 



Not only this, but with continuous use alcohol keeps the capil- 

 laries relaxed, causing reddening of the skin and inflammation of 



