ALCOHOL 303 



poisoning are seen in stupor and inability to move. This 

 last stage may continue for a number of hours or may 

 end in death. 



Alcohol, a narcotic poison. From a physiological 

 standpoint, alcohol in its effects seems rather to resemble 

 a narcotic than a true stimulant, inasmuch as the period 

 of exhilaration produced by its use appears due not to 

 a stimulation of the brain but rather to a paralysis of 

 its higher functions of caution and judgment. It would 

 further seem that all of its effects are due to a gradual 

 paralysis, first of the higher and then of the lower brain 

 centres, until finally all voluntary action is lost. The 

 automatic processes of organic life, as the beating of the 

 heart and breathing, alone continue and even these feel 

 the paralyzing effect of the poison. 



Chronic effects upon structure. When alcoholic bev- 

 erages are used habitually and frequently, other and 

 more chronic effects may be produced, especially if the 

 alcohol is in the concentrated form of wines and liquors. 

 The mucous membrane of the stomach tends to become 

 irritated, producing dyspepsia. The liver, which receives 

 the blood immediately after its absorption from the 

 stomach and intestine, is also irritated. This irritation 

 causes an overgrowth of the connective tissue which 

 forms the framework that supports its cells. As a re- 

 sult, its active cells are so pressed for room that they 

 become smaller and less able to do their work. In ex- 

 treme cases, the cells even disappear to a considerable 

 extent, leaving onry the connective tissue in their place. 

 This results in so serious a reduction in the amount 

 of work which the liver can do that the person dies. In 

 such cases, the liver when examined is found to be hard 

 and tough and is covered with small projecting knobs 

 due to the contraction of the masses of connective tissue. 



