DISEASES DUE TO ALCOHOL. 243 



consequence of the general slow poisoning of the body 

 caused by alcohol. The stomach and liver are more 

 directly attacked by it. 



1. The mucous membrane of the stomach becomes 

 congested, then inflamed. It fails to secrete gastric juice 

 and indigestion results (p. 130). 



2. The true liver-substance being injured or destroyed 

 by increased growth of connective tissue, the organ 

 becomes a shrunken rough mass, unfit to perform its 

 important duties in the nourishment of the body 



(P- X 32). 



The blood has its power of absorbing and carrying 

 oxygen decreased, and also its power of clotting. Hence 

 the temperature of the body and its working power are 

 lessened, and any wound is more apt to bleed danger- 

 ously (p. 161). 



The arteries have their walls weakened so that they be- 

 come liable to burst under the pressure of the blood 

 inside them (pp. 161, 162). 



The heart has its beat quickened so that it does not 

 get enough rest. Its overworked muscle thus does not 

 get sufficient nourishment, and at last becomes unable 

 to pump the blood along (p. 162). 



The respiratory organs have their lining mucous mem- 

 brane congested and irritated, increasing the liability to 

 colds and other diseases (p. 184). 



The kidneys are overstimulated, and at last become 

 unable to do properly their work of removing nitrogen 

 wastes. Very often a fatal malady, named Bright's dis- 

 ease, is produced (p. 189). 



skin ? The digestive organs in general ? The stomach ? The liver? 

 The blood ? The arteries ? The heart ? The respiratory organs ? 



