THE NERVOUS 8TSTEM 255 



70. Chronic Alcoholism and Delirium Tremens. When per- 

 sons become habituated to the over-indulgence of alcohol in 

 large quantities, its effects produce serious and permanent 

 changes in the general nervous system, the various manifes- 

 tations of which are spoken of as chronic alcoholism. They 

 manifest themselves chiefly in a disturbance of the various 

 brain functions. These persons usually suffer from sluggish 

 brain action, and a serious disturbance of many of the brain 

 functions, such, for instance, as loss of memory. There is 

 usually present trembling of the hands, trembling of groups of 

 muscles in other parts of the body; and they are unable to 

 endure any bodily fatigue. When a person has been consum- 

 ing large quantities of alcohol for some time, a sudden and 

 very violent delirium may result. To this has been given the 

 name of delirium tremens, from the fact that it is accompanied 

 by more or less violent trembling of the entire body. It is 

 extremely dangerous to life, often producing death, and in 

 many instances insanity. 



71. Tobacco and its Effects. Tobacco, familiarly known as 

 "the weed," is an annual plant said to be a native of America. 

 It grows to a height of several feet, with leaves of a pale green 

 color. These leaves, when dried, are made into cigars, chewing 



18. " Here is a company of 'jolly good fellows,' all standing on their 

 feet, their faces red and radiant, and all swinging their arms and talking 

 at once. These men have been taking alcohol, and, surely, you will say, 

 it has stimulated them. But if you will attend for a moment to what 

 they are saying, you will see that there is no true brain-stimulation about 

 it. We shall be reminded rather of what Addison says of the difference 

 between the mind of the wise man and that of the fool : There are infi- 

 nite, numberless extravagancies, and a succession of vanities which pass, 

 through both. The great difference is that the first knows how to pick 

 and cull his thoughts for conversation, by suppressing some and com- 

 municating others ; whereas the other lets them all indifferently fly out 

 in words.' The case with these revelers is precisely this. The poison 

 which they have taken has paralyzed their conservative faculties, and the 

 talking propensity is running on without anything to hold it in check and 

 regulate it." Dr. A. F. Kinne. 



TO. Describe the tobacco plant. 



tt. What ia its effect upon the nerves f 



