How Alcohol Affects Cell Life 393 



forms, known as the amoeba, has been carefully studied and the 

 effect of alcoholic poison on its activity observed. In considering 

 this organism, it should ever be kept in mind that it consists 

 throughout of living protoplasm, the material of which every active 

 cell in our bodies is composed. 



An English physician, in experimenting with the amoeba and 

 other minute organisms, observed that contact with dilute solu- 

 tions of alcohol produced unfavorable effects on their activity. 

 When placed under the microscope and subjected to a one per 

 cent solution of alcohol, the cells showed lack of sensation for 

 several hours. With a two per cent solution the deadening influ- 

 ence was even more evident for every cell stiffened and some died. 

 With a four per cent solution most of the cells tested died, and 

 with a five per cent solution all cells died. 



The white corpuscles in the human blood are quite like the 

 amoeba. They can readily change in shape and are able to pass 

 through the tissues from one part of an organism to another 

 part. 



Prof. Metchnikoff of Pasteur Institute of Paris made the dis- 

 covery that the white corpuscles of the blood are able to attack and 

 overcome harmful bacteria and other minute organisms that may 

 cause disease and death when present in the human system. 

 There is often a battle between them and the disease germs, 

 on the result of which depends the life or death of the individual. 

 If the white corpuscles win, the life is saved. If they lose, the 

 death of the individual follows. 



Under the microscope it may be demonstrated that a small 

 amount of alcohol taken into the blood affects live white corpuscles 

 unfavorably. They are no longer able to exhibit the same activity 

 as they did before contact with this stimulant. In the chronic 

 alcoholic cases the microscope shows that the ability of the cor- 

 puscle to destroy disease germs is greatly lessened. Does not 

 this account largely for the lowered vitality of persons who, to 

 any extent, habitually use alcoholic drink? Experts say it does. 



Why do insurance companies so carefully inquire into the drink 

 habits of persons who wish to be insured, if not because they 

 recognize that the man who takes poison into his system regularly 



