182 Life and Health 



involves in turn quickened respiration, which means more 

 rapid exhaustion of the life forces. 



The prolonged use of alcohol also involves a repeated 

 dilatation of the capillaries, which steadily diminishes their 

 distensive power, thereby rendering the person more sus-. 

 ceptible to the attack of pulmonary diseases. 



274. Effect of Alcohol upon Pulmonary Diseases. The 

 habitual use of alcoholic liquors, it is believed, makes a 

 person unusually susceptible to pneumonia. 



It has also been found that pulmonary tuberculosis is 

 more frequent in drinkers than in ordinary people. A noted 

 physician of Paris (M. Legendre) says : " Alcohol is a fre- 

 quent cause of consumption by its power of weakening the 

 lungs." 1 



The persistent user of alcohol also suffers, more severely 

 than abstainers, from other and less dangerous pulmonary 

 diseases, as simple colds, chronic bronchitis, and influenza. 



275. Effect of Tobacco upon the Respiratory Passages. 

 The effects of tobacco upon the throat and lungs are 

 frequently marked and persistent. The smoke irritates 

 the mucous membrane of the mouth and throat, producing 

 an unnatural thirst. The inflammation may extend up the 

 Eustachian tube, and impair the sense of hearing. 



The inhalation of tobacco smoke often produces unhealth- 

 ful effects upon the delicate mucous membrane of the bron- 

 chial tubes and of the lungs. This results frequently in 

 an irritating cough, with short breath. 2 



1 Alcohol, instead of preventing consumption, reduces the vitality so 

 much as to render the system unusually susceptible to that fatal disease. 

 DR. R. S. TRACY, Sanitary Inspector, New York Health Department. 



2 The action of the heart and lungs is impaired by the influence of the 

 narcotic on the nervous system, but a morbid state of the larynx, trachea, 

 and lungs results from the direct action of the smoke. DR. LAYCOCK, 

 Professor of Medicine in the University of Edinburgh. 



