THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 315 



is due to the quickened action of the heart and the dilatation 

 of the small blood vessels from the effects of alcohol on the 

 nerve centers controlling these organs. The mind is at first 

 more active, because the little vessels of the brain are dilated 

 and blood is sent more freely to that part. A little later the 

 alcohol begins to disturb the reflex and coordinating powers 

 of the nervous system, and ordinary muscular movements 

 are performed imperfectly and with difficulty. The nerve 

 centers seem to be attacked and paralyzed progressively 

 by alcohol, beginning with the highest and proceeding 

 toward the lowest. The will power and judgment first 

 become paralyzed, and only the emotional and impulsive 

 instincts of human nature are left ; these, being no longer 

 under control of the higher faculties of reason and 

 judgment, are likely to cause the individual to act in an 

 irrational manner. In the last stages, consciousness and 

 volition are lost, and only that part of the nervous system 

 in the medulla which governs circulation and respiration 

 remains active. In other words, the man is " dead drunk." 

 A large quantity of alcohol may produce death by paralyz- 

 ing even these nerve centers, thus stopping all organic 

 functions. This overaction and irregular action of the 

 nerves, when repeatedly occurring, has the effect finally 

 of deforming or destroying the nerve tissues (Fig. 191). 

 575. There is scarcely a nervous disease known to 

 science that the use of alcoholic liquors may not bring on 

 or aggravate. General debility, neuralgia, insomnia, epi- 

 lepsy, paralysis of every form and type, insanity in all 

 its grades, as well as delirium tremens, may find in alcohol 

 their exciting and predisposing cause. But the worst of all 

 of the effects of its long-continued use is upon the morals. 

 The brain degenerates and the mind loses control over the 

 appetite. Pledges of total abstinence, fear of disgrace, 

 loss of social position, loss of friends and family, apprehen- 

 sions for this world or the next, all these considerations 



