356 THE HUMAN BODY. 



ing the skin to underlying parts, producing that kind ot 

 dropsy known as anasarca. 



(b) The Organs of the Body most apt to be impaired or 

 destroyed by Alcohol have been in part mentioned in pre- 

 ceding pages. It will, however, be convenient to collect 

 them together, and point out the kind of change produced 

 in each. Probably no tippler ever suffered from all of 

 these diseases, and most of them may develop in persons 

 who are total abstainers; but the organic lesions which are 

 mentioned below are more frequently due to intemperance 

 than to any other cause. 



A primary action of alcohol after absorption is to cause 

 dilatation of the cutaneous blood-vessels. 'With occasional 

 alcoholic indulgence this is temporary; with repeated, it be- 

 comes permanent. The Skin is then congested and puffy, 

 and on exposed parts it is seen to have a purplish or red- 

 dish blotched appearance; pimples appear on parts, such 

 as the nose, where the natural circulation is more feeble. 

 The result is the peculiar degraded look of the sot's face. 

 The congestion interferes with the nutrition of the skin; 

 the epidermis (p. 266) is imperfectly nourished and collects 

 in scaly masses, interfering with the proper action of the 

 sweat-glands, thus throwing undue work on the kidneys. 



When constantly irritated by the direct action of strong 

 alcoholic drinks, the Stomach gradually undergoes lasting 

 changes. Its vessels remain dilated and congested, its 

 connective tissue becomes excessive, its power of secreting 

 gastric juice diminished, and its mucous secretion abnor- 

 mally abundant. 



The Liver suffers fatty and fibrous degeneration, and is 



Describe the consequences of alcoholic indulgence on the skin 

 On the stomach. 



