268 INORGANIC AGENTS 



of concentrated alcoliolic liquors upon the stomacli, Las 

 already been noted. Primary vascular contraction may fol- 

 low the reflex stimulation of alcohol before absorption and 

 vascular dilatation occur. 



Respiration. — The respiratory centre is stimulated by 

 medicinal doses, but depressed and paralyzed by toxic 

 amounts of alcohol. 



Temperature. — The temperature, both in health and 

 fever, may be lowered by alcohol, because of its action in 

 hindering the ozonizing functions of the red blood corpuscles 

 and thus diminishing oxidation in the body, and because 

 alcohol causes relaxation of the peripheral blood vessels 

 and loss of heat by radiation from the skin. The larger the 

 quantity of alcohol ingested, the greater the fall of tempera- 

 ture. In alcoholic narcosis, vasomotor paralysis leads to 

 great loss of heat, particularly if the animal be at the same 

 time exposed to cold. In small doses, alcohol may some- 

 times increase the temperature by stimulating the heart, 

 but the sensation of warmth perceived in man following the 

 use of alcohol is generally fallacious, and is simply due to 

 flushing of the vessels of the skin and stomach. Some of the 

 lowest temperatures ever observed have been in drunken 

 persons exposed to cold. 



Tissue Change. — Metabolism is diminished by alcohol. 

 Experiments conducted to determine quantitatively the 

 -elimination of carbonic dioxide are conflicting in their 

 results, after the ingestion of small doses of alcohol, but 

 •when considerable quantities have been absorbed the elimi- 

 nation of carbonic dioxide is decidedly diminished. The 

 explanation of the preceding is clear when it is considered 

 that many other circumstances may obscure the action of 

 small amounts of alcohol upan carbonic dioxide elimination. 

 The nitrogenous products in the urine, particularly urea 

 resulting from tissue change, are also lessened by alcohol. 



Nervous System. — Moderate doses of alcohol stimulate, 

 while excessive quantities depress and paralyze the nervous 

 system. This action is similar to that exerted upon the 



