Effects of Alcohol on the Brain. 24.3 



Moral Deterioration produced by Alcohol. " One result 

 of a single dose of alcohol is that the control of the will 

 over the actions and emotions is temporarily enfeebled ; 

 the slightly tipsy man laughs and talks loudly, says and 

 does rash things, is enraged or delighted without due cause. 

 If the amount of alcohol be increased, further diminution 

 of will power is indicated by loss of control over the muscles. 

 Excessive habitual use of alcohol results in permanent over- 

 excitement of the emotional nature, and enfeeblement of 

 the will; the man's highly emotional state exposes him 

 to special temptations, to excesses of all kinds, and his 

 weakened will decreases the power of resistance ; the final 

 outcome is a degraded moral condition. He who was 

 prompt in the performance of duty begins to shirk that 

 which is irksome, energy gives place to indifference, truth- 

 fulness to lying, integrity to dishonesty ; for even with the 

 best intentions in making promises or pledges there is no 

 strength of will to keep them. In forfeiting the respect of 

 others, respect for self is lost and character is overthrown. 

 Meanwhile the passion for drink grows absorbing ; no 

 sacrifice is too costly which secures it. Swift and swifter 

 is now the downward progress. A mere sot, the man 

 becomes regardless of every duty, and even incapacitated 

 for any which momentary shame may make him desire to 

 perform. 



"For such a one there is but one hope confinement 

 in an asylum, where, if not too late, the diseased craving 

 for drink may be gradually overcome, the prostrated will 

 regain its ascendency, and the man at last gain the victory 

 over the brute. Professor H. Newell Martin. 



Summary. i . The nervous system is especially affected by alco- 

 hol. 



2. The effects df alcohol on the brain show very quickly. 



