Nervous System. 47 



drinking, as well as by drinking large quantities of alco- 

 holic liquor. The presence of such inflammation is indi- . 

 cated by pain or by paralysis. While inflammation of the 

 nerves may be due to other causes, it is said that alcohol 

 produces it as frequently as all other causes combined. 



Alcohol retards Nerve Action. Experiment shows that 

 alcohol diminishes the transmitting power of the nerves ; 

 that is, a nerve impulse does not travel as fast along a 

 nerve fiber after taking alcohol as before. " Alcohol makes 

 all the nervous processes slower, although they seem to 

 the person himself to be quicker than usual."- - BRUNTON. 



Beer injures the Nerves. " That the alcohol in half a 

 pint of beer, or a single glass of whiskey, lessens the 

 rapidity of nerve transmission, mental perception, acute- 

 ness of the special senses, and muscular strength, has 

 been abundantly demonstrated by the application of in- 

 struments of precision. That the same amount of alcohol 

 deludes man with the impression that he is stronger and 

 more active when he is actually doing less is a fact familiar 

 to all who have given attention to the subject. The only 

 rational conclusion, then, is that the degenerating influence 

 of alcohol upon man, physical and mental, commences 

 with the beginning of its use, and increases in proportion 

 to the quantity used and the length of time it is con- 

 tinued." Journal of Inebriety. 



Temporary Loss of Muscular Power. It may have hap- 

 pened to you that after sitting long in one position you 

 attempted to stand, but found that you could not do so. 

 One leg failed to act at the bidding of your will. When 

 the foot is "asleep" we get little sensation from it; we 

 hardly know whether it is touching the floor or not. Press- 

 ing on it with the other foot causes no pain. 



