238 Physiology. 



and the functions of this organ so far transcend the func- 

 tions of all the others, that I might say, there is no com- 

 parison." 



Dr. Crothers, in common with many physicians, regards 

 inebriety as a disease. 



Effects of Small Doses of Alcohol on Mental Opera- 

 tions. The common, but erroneous, idea is that alcohol 

 stimulates the brain to a higher degree of activity. There 

 does appear to be an exhilaration for a short time, but this 

 is undoubtedly due to the increased flow of blood to the 

 brain; for the liquor has paralyzed the smaller blood- 

 tubes, thus allowing the brain to be flushed with blood. 

 But careful experiments show that any temporary increase 

 in mental activity, following small doses of alcohol, is 

 always at the expense of accuracy and power, and that its 

 effects cannot truly be called stimulating. And this period 

 of exhilaration is extremely short-lived. 



Testimony of German Professors. In describing his 

 methods of work, Helmholtz said that slight indulgence in 

 alcohol instantly dispelled his best ideas. Professor Gaule 

 states that once during the strain of an examination he 

 suddenly stopped his wine and beer, and was surprised to 

 find how much better he could work. An eminent pro- 

 fessor in Leipsic once said that the German students could 

 do twice as much work if they would let their beer alone. 

 Dr. August Smith has found that moderate, non-intoxicant 

 doses of alcohol lowered tu's ability to memorize as much 

 as 70 per cent. 



Permanent Effects of the Continued Use of Alcohol. 



" The long-continued use of quantities not immediately so 

 disastrous, produces various structural changes, which are 

 often markedly perceptible ; and in chronic alcoholic dis- 



