CHAPTER XXIII. 

 EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON THE BRAIN. 



" Oh, that man should put an enemy into his 

 mouth to steal away his brains ! " 



The Effects of Alcohol on Nervous Tissue. The physi- 

 ological effects of alcohol which have been considered in 

 connection with the muscles, circulation, digestion, etc., are 

 quite secondary to its effects on the central nervous system. 

 It is difficult to understand the extreme delicacy of organ- 

 ization of the nervous system. We can readily see how 

 thoroughly nature has guarded this tissue by placing it in 

 the most protected places in the body. But even after we 

 have considered this point, we are not yet ready to com- 

 prehend the fine texture and sensitiveness of this tissue 

 above all others. It is this high degree of susceptibility 

 of the nervous system that renders it peculiarly subject to 

 the effects of alcohol. 



Delicacy of Brain Structure. The injury done to the 

 brain by alcohol may not be readily discovered ; but as it 

 is so delicate we cannot expect to trace the changes in 

 structure as we might in some of the coarser organs of the 

 body. For instance, the rupture of a small blood-tube in 

 most of the tissues of the body results in a small clot, 

 which ordinarily is a matter of no special consequence ; it 

 forms a " black-and-blue-spot," which is hardly more than 

 a temporary inconvenience, for it does not ordinarily inter- 

 fere with the function of the organ. It is soon absorbed, 



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