2 1 2 Physiology. 



blood is needed in any given organ, the circular muscle 

 fibers in the walls of the arteries leading to that part are 

 kept shortened by nervous impulses sent to them from the 

 nerve centers which control them, hence a moderate supply 

 of blood. A narcotic has a paralyzing effect on these 

 nerve centers ; hence the usual impulses which would have 

 been sent are no longer sent, the muscle fibers relax, the 

 artery widens, and the part becomes flushed. 



How Alcohol affects the Heart. In regard to the effect on the action 

 of the heart, it must be remembered that in the first place there are 

 ganglions embedded in the walls of the heart, and that the heart tends 

 to beat rhythmically ; second, that there are two sets of nerve fibers 

 reaching the heart from without, the sympathetic, which bring impulses 

 which quicken the activity of the heart, and the vagus nerves, which 

 slow its action. The sympathetic fibers are accelerators, while the 

 vagus fibers retard', the vagus nerves exert an inhibitory effect, i.e. 

 they act as a brake on the heart's action. If they were strongly stimu- 

 lated, the heart would stop. If .impulses are not continually sent to the 

 heart along these fibers, the heart begins to beat faster, just as a wagon 

 going down hill begins to go faster when the brake is taken off. 



The action of the narcotic is to paralyze the nerve center from which 

 the restraining impulses normally are sent to control the heart. Hence 

 the rapid beat. As to the force of its beat there is difference of opinion ; 

 many maintain that it has less force than before. 



Alcohol in the Army. Colonel Alfred A. Woodhull, 



surgeon United States army, says in regard to this matter, 

 " I do not think any of our medical officers would seriously 

 advocate the issue of alcohol as a measure of health." 



Captain Woodruff, assistant surgeon United States army, 

 says, " Spirits can never be used in the army as a regular 

 issue ; the practice is thoroughly vicious, and was virtually 

 abandoned sixty years ago." 



Dr. Frank H. Hamilton said: "It is earnestly desired 

 that no such experiment ever be repeated in the armies 



