90 PHYSIOLOGY AND TEMPERANCE. 



affected by alcohol as to lose their influence, and allow the 

 vessels to dilate. This is well marked in the capillaries, and 

 its effect is apparent to an observer. The flushed face is an 

 early indication of alcoholic indulgence. The coats of the 

 capillaries relax so much that the face becomes quite red- 

 dened. What is readily seen in the skin exists elsewhere. 

 The same degree of congestion is uniform throughout the 

 body, and nutrition is interfered with everywhere. 



This loss of power in the coats of the capillaries to contract 

 may be temporary, but when a person becomes addicted to 

 the use of alcohol, it will produce a permanent dilated con- 

 dition of the small vessels. As a result, we see the red nose 

 of the wine or brandy drinkers. It is the same paralyzed 

 condition of the capillaries in the liver, brain and other inter- 

 nal organs which leads to diseased conditions. 



Very often in chronic, though perhaps moderate, drinkers, 

 the arteries, instead of being strong, elastic tubes, like new 

 rubber hose, become hardened and unyielding, and are liable 

 to give way. 



13. Effects of Tobacco on the Heart. The use of 



tobacco in any form has a depressing effect on the heart. It 

 weakens its force, and often interferes with the regularity of 

 its action. It is more marked in its effects on the young, 

 the weak, or on those disposed to disease. The strong and 

 healthy may seem to escape its effects, but when we know it 

 imposes extra labor on the heart, upsets the nerve influence 

 which keeps up its constant and uniform action, we know 

 enough about it to pronounce it not only useless, but harmful. 

 It is just possible, if the truth were known, it is the direct 

 cause of many heart failures and other cases of sudden death 

 from heart disease. 



