ALCOHOL AND DIGESTION 1 03 



So they can produce slowly the same kind of effects 

 as alcohol. 



DEMONSTRATIONS 



50. Hold some common salt in the mouth, and at once saliva flows 

 to dilute it. In a moment it can be held with comfort. Explain that 

 this is a provision of nature to protect the body from any irritating sub- 

 stance. The stomach may pour out an excess of gastric juice in the 

 same manner so as to protect the body against alcohol and other irri- 

 tating substances. Call attention to other similar ways in which nature 

 protects the body, as in the flow of tears to wash away a speck of dirt 

 from the eyes. 



5 1 . Prepare two bottles to show artificial digestion (see demonstra- 

 tion No. 40). In the second one replace a quarter of the water with 

 alcohol and notice that no digestion takes place in this bottle. Explain 

 that this experiment may be misleading, for in the stomach more gastric 

 juice will flow to dilute the alcohol until the pepsin can act as well as 

 before. Explain that alcohol does not destroy the pepsin, but when the 

 alcohol is diluted, the pepsin is as good as ever. 



REVIEW TOPICS 



1. Give the three characteristic actions of alcohol outside 



the body. 



2. Give the action of alcoholic drinks upon the mouth. 



3. Give the action of alcoholic drinks upon the mucous 



membrane of the stomach ; upon its secretions ; and 

 upon the peristalsis of the stomach. 



4. Tell why alcoholic drinks have but little direct action 



upon the intestine and upon the villi. 



5. Give the action of alcoholic drinks upon the liver. 



6. Explain why bitters and essence of Jamaica ginger are 



both harmful. 



7. Explain the effects of intemperate eating. 



