220 PHYSIOLOGY. 



nervous system, but, as above pointed out, saves the more 

 stable compounds by furnishing a readily oxidizable res- 

 piratory food. 



" When taken in small doses by healthy persons alcohol 

 diminishes the temperature by increasing heat radiation. 

 When large quantities are taken the bodily temperature is 

 reduced by diminishing heat production, as well as by in- 

 creased radiation. This is shown in the condition known 

 as dead-drunkenness, in which the temperature is some- 

 times depressed as much as 20 degrees F. below the 

 normal. Cases in which the temperature sank to 75 de- 

 grees, 78.8 degrees, and 83 degrees F. have been reported, 

 with recovery in all cases. 



"The constant use of alcohol produces in all the organs 

 an excess of connective tissue, followed by fatty degenera- 

 tion and the condition known as cirrhosis. The organs 

 most frequently affected are the stomach, liver, and kid- 

 neys. Serious pathological alterations also occur in the 

 circulatory, respiratory, and nervous systems. 



"Alcohol is not necessary to persons in good health. 

 Probably most persons, regardless of their state of health, 

 do better without it. Its habitual use, in the form of 

 strong liquors, is to be unreservedly condemned. The 

 lighter wines and malt liquors, if obtained pure, may be 

 consumed in moderate quantities without ill effects. Even 

 in these forms, however, the use of alcohol should be dis- 

 couraged, or perhaps prohibited, in the young. 



" Neither in hot nor in cold climates is alcohol necessary 

 to the preservation of health, and its moderate use even 

 produces more injury than benefit. The polar voyager 

 and the East Indian merchant are alike better off without 

 alcohol than with it. 



" It has long been a prevalent belief that the use of 



