ALCOHOL AND DIGESTION 99 



of strong drink is in sufficient quantity to hinder or to 

 stop the digestive action of the pepsin. But when the 

 alcohol is absorbed or diluted, the pepsin can act as well 

 as ever. 



141. Effects upon the mucous membrane. Alcohol irri- 

 tates the mucous membrane of the stomach. Then more 

 gastric juice is produced in order to dilute the' irritating 

 alcohol. Thus the effect of the alcohol may be somewhat 

 overcome by the increased quantity of the digestive fluid. 

 But the alcohol may cause an increased flow of mucus 

 also, just as a cold causes the pharynx to produce more 

 mucus. The mucus may coat the particles of food, and 

 prevent the gastric juice from acting on them. This is 

 especially apt to happen when strong drink is taken con- 

 tinuously in small amounts, and for long periods. In such 

 conditions both the quality and quantity of the gastric 

 juice may be impaired. 



A drink, such as even a moderate drinker often takes, 

 may produce redness, swelling, and inflammation of the 

 stomach. The effect is far greater when the drink is 

 swallowed upon an empty stomach, for then there is no 

 food to protect the mucous membrane from the direct 

 action of the strong drink. 



142. Effects upon peristalsis. The irritation of the 

 alcohol at first causes an increased action of the stomach 

 walls, so as to force the harmful substance away. Con- 

 tinuous use of strong drink is likely to weaken the muscles 

 and to make peristalsis much less. Then the food is less 

 perfectly mixed with the gastric juice and is not ground to 

 pieces, but remains too long in the stomach undigested. 

 The water and mucus poured out diminish the strength of 

 the alcohol, and this, together with the poor quality of the 

 gastric juice and the long stay of food in the stomach, 



