THE EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL. 117 



and thus escapes from his agony. Oh, that human 

 beings should so abuse themselves as to bring them- 

 selves into such a condition ! 



The same paralyzing effect of alcohol 

 x^rve* on the brain of which we made mention 



in the preceding topics, is noticeable 

 in the nerves. The alcohol takes up the moisture 

 in the nerve tissues, leaving them more or less inca- 

 pable of transmitting sensation. There is on record 

 an account of a man, who, in his drunken stupor, 

 burned his foot almost to a crisp without becoming 

 conscious enough to remove it from the camp fire 

 into which he had unconsciously placed it. The 

 nerves were so thoroughly paralyzed by alcohol as 

 to fail to transmit sensation to the brain, even if 

 that organ had been in a fit condition to receive the 

 intelligence. The brain and nerve tissues are 

 among the first substances of the body to become 

 affected by alcohol. 



The effect of alcohol on the heart is 



more or less indirect - ft is through 



it-ant* upon the affected nerves that its effect upon 

 the heart and circulation is brought 

 about. The action of the heart is governed by the 

 nerves, which act as a sort of brake, thus preventing 

 a too violent action. Now when these nerves be- 

 come affected and lose their control of the heart's 

 action, it will beat more rapidly, and also with 

 greater force. Thus the strain upon the heart is 

 greatly increased, while the intervals of rest be- 



