ALCOHOL IN RELATION TO BIOLOGY 523 



II. Effect on nutrition. 



1. Makes food less digestible by 



(a) Withdrawing its water. 

 (&) Hardening its proteid. 



2. Action on digestive organs. 



(a) Irritates all membranes. 

 (6) Hardens tissue of the walls. 



(c) Causes abnormal flow of fluids. 



(d) Irritates and overworks the liver. 



III. Effect on circulation. 



(a) Interferes with nerve control of heart, etc. 



(b) Relaxes arteries and capillaries, strains heart. 



(c) Blood driven to skin, temperature lowered. 



(d) Permanent inflammation of internal organs. 



(e) Possible cause of disease. 



IV. Effect on respiration. 



(a) Causes inflammation of mucous linings. 



(&) Diminishes resistance to congestive diseases. 



(c) Increases connective tissue, lessening lung action. 



(d) Robs digested food of oxygen. 



V. Effect on excretions. 



(a) Causes excess of uric acid. 

 (6) Overtaxes the kidneys. 



(c) May cause disease, rheumatism, gout, Bright's 

 disease, etc. 



VI. Effect on nervous system. 



(a) Paralyzes higher centers first. 



(6) Later loss of bodily control. 



(c) Actual harm to nerve tissues. 



(d) Habit formation. Insanity. 



VII. Alcohol and disease. 



0) Direct cause of heart disease, enlargement, etc. 



Inflammation of liver and stomach. 



Insanity. Arterio-sclerosis. 

 (&) Lowers resistance by 



(1) Destruction of red corpuscles. 



(2) Predisposition to pneumonia, tuberculosis, etc. 



(3) Affects length of life, illness, etc. 

 (c) Alcohol is not a medicine. 



VIII. Waste of resources. 

 Foodstuffs. 

 Coal. 



Transportation facilities. 

 Labor. 



