1 64 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY CHAP. 



wastes is a very important matter that cannot be neg- 

 lected without serious danger. 



122. The Effect of Alcohol upon the Skin and Kidneys. 

 We have already learned that alcohol acts upon the 

 blood vessels, causing them to dilate and so giving the 

 skin a characteristic flushed and red appearance. The 

 body feels warm, but as a matter of fact heat rapidly 

 radiates from the engorged capillaries of the skin, caus- 

 ing a greater loss of heat and a consequent lowering of 

 the temperature. The nerves controlling the surface 

 circulation and regulating the body temperature are 

 paralyzed by alcohol. 



The effect of alcoholic beverages upon the kidneys is 

 very marked. The delicate capillaries going to the 

 glands and tubules dilate, causing congestion and inflam- 

 mation. Under this condition the kidneys are stimulated 

 to overaction. Besides this the structure of these organs 

 may be so changed that they cannot properly perform 

 their functions. The irritation due to the continued use 

 of alcoholic drinks is thought to be one of the chief 

 causes of the fatal disease of the kidneys named 

 " Bright's Disease," after the English physician who 

 first described it In this dreaded disease the functions 

 of the kidneys are so deranged that albumin is excreted 

 instead of urea and other wastes. The good albumin 

 so important in building up and repairing the cells is 

 eliminated from the body, while useless and harmful 

 waste matters remain in the blood. In the disease 

 known as diabetes an excessive amount of sugar appears 

 in the excretion from the kidneys. 



