94 THE BLOOD. 



permanent inflammation, followed in time by very extensive 

 changes in appearance and function. It is said that most of 

 the alcohol swallowed is absorbed directly from the stomach, 

 and hence the intestines are not so directly affected. 



Virchow says, " Alcohol poisons the blood, arrests the 

 development of the corpuscles, and hastens their decay." " It 

 is said to change the form, lessen the number, and diminish 

 the size of the corpuscles. A degenerate or ill-conditioned 

 blood, circulating in all parts of the system, induces abnormal 

 nutrition. Abnormal nutrition is always followed by abnormal 

 or perverted actions, physical, mental, and moral." CUTTER. 



The Blood. To get a drop of blood from the finger, 

 wind a cord around the finger, beginning at the base, drawing 

 the cord moderately tight, until the last joint is reached. By 

 this time the end of the finger is usually well distended with 

 blood. With a clean needle make a quick, sharp, light punc- 

 ture near the base of the nail ; this ordinarily brings a small 

 amount of blood. Put a small drop on each of several slides 

 and quickly cover with coverslips. Examine with a high 

 power. 



1. The Colored Corpuscles. These are often called the Eed 

 Corpuscles. But while in the mass they give the blood a red 

 appearance, individually they are faint yellowish red. In 

 shape they are seen to be circular disks, hollowed on each 

 side like a sunken biscuit. As they are hollowed on both 

 sides they are more accurately described as biconcave. These 

 corpuscles tend to gather side by side, in rolls, like coins. 

 They have no nuclei. 



2. In the open spaces between the rolls of colored corpus- 

 cles may occasionally be found some of the spherical corpus- 

 cles. They are usually called the White Corpuscles, but are 

 better designated as the Colorless Corpuscles, since the others 

 have only a slight color, and these have none. They usually 



