THE NERVOUS SYSTEM. 153 



conscience is powerless; ambition, pride, and self-respect 

 are abandoned. The most sacred affections are trampled 

 under foot to satisfy the thirst. This condition is disease, 

 but it is a disease for which the victim is himself re- 

 sponsible. 



5, One of the most marked effects of alcohol is an en- 

 largement of the small blood-vessels. This is what makes 

 a toper's face red. Not only in the face, but in other 

 parts, this enlargement takes place. Alcohol does it by 

 paralyzing the little nerves, which are the regulators of 

 the size of the vessels. These nerves constitute a very 

 delicate mechanism of Nature's contriving, and it is im- 

 portant to the health of the body that it should not be 

 interfered with. 



6, Alcohol taken into the stomach is rapidly diffused 

 through the body by the blood. Various experiments 

 have proved that it accumulates especially in the brain. 

 In this delicate organ, it causes not only the temporary 

 effects already described, but permanent changes which 

 manifest themselves in various diseases. Among them 

 are epilepsy, paralysis, and insanity. 



SUMMARY OF THE ACTION OP ALCOHOL ON THE BRAIN 



AND NERVES. 



7, i. It first excites, and then paralyzes. 



8, The higher faculties are the first to be paralyzed, 

 leaving the man under control of his lower passions. 



5. It obscures the senses, and impairs the judgment. 

 4. It exhausts the whole nervous system, and leads to 

 paralysis, epilepsy, and insanity. 



