ALCOHOL. 219 



effect), or entirely suspending the activity of the centers 

 if in sufficiently large quantity (paralyzing effect). 



" Alcohol stimulates the vasodilator nerves, causing dila- 

 tation of the smaller vessels ; in consequence of this the 

 blood is largely sent to the periphery of the body, the 

 blood pressure diminishes, and heat radiation is increased. 

 At the same time a portion of the alcohol is used up in the 

 production of animal heat, thus economizing the expendi- 

 ture of fats and proteids, and acting as a true respiratory 

 food. Alcohol does not contribute nutritive material to 

 the body ; it only permits that which is stored up to be 

 saved for other uses, by furnishing easily oxidizable (com- 

 bustible) material for carrying on the respiratory process 

 and supplying animal heat. 



" During the use of alcohol the excretion of urea is 

 diminished. This shows that waste of tissue is retarded 

 in the body. 



" Regarding the statement of some authorities that alco- 

 hol does not undergo any change in the body, but is ex- 

 creted unchanged, Binz asserts that alcohol appears in the 

 urine only when exceptionally large quantities have been 

 taken, and then in very small proportion. It is not excreted 

 by the lungs, the peculiar odor of the breath being due not 

 to the alcohol, but to the volatile aromatic ether, which is 

 oxidized with greater difficulty, and so escapes unchanged. 



" While alcohol produces subjectively an agreeable sen- 

 sation of warmth in the stomach and on the surface of the 

 body, the bodily temperature is not raised. The subjective 

 sensation is due to the dilatation of the blood vessels and 

 the sudden hyperaemia of those parts. 



" During fevers and other exhausting diseases alcohol is in- 

 valuable to prevent waste of tissue and sustain the strength. 

 It does not act merely as a stimulant to the circulation and 



