THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



237 



self-control is lost, and as a result the baser instincts of 

 his lower nature are now uppermost ; greed and appetite 

 often rule unrestrained. 



The moral power of such a man is also dragged down 

 to the lowest depths. The finer sensibilities of character 

 are deadened; pride of personal 

 appearance, nice self-respect and 

 proper regard for the good opinion 

 of others, the sense of decorum, 

 are gone, and at last even decency 

 disappears. Dignity of behavior 

 may yield to silliness, and the 

 person lately respected becomes 

 an object of pity and loathing. 



Convictions of right and wrong 

 now find little place in his nature ; 

 conscience is silenced, dishonesty 

 prevails. This is true both as to 

 solemn promises, and also as to 

 property. The drunkard may 

 resort to any form of fraud or theft 

 to feed the consuming craving for 

 more alcohol. 



320. Hereditary Results of 

 Strong Drink. We may inherit 

 mental and physical vigor or weak- 

 ness, our features, and even moral 

 tendencies. The children of par- 

 ents whose brains are injured by alcohol are more prone 

 than others to mental disorders and to those widely varied 

 diseases which, for lack of a better name, we vaguely call 

 " nervous." This is proved by the unusual prevalence in 



FIG. 148. A Great Nerve 

 (Crural) and its Branches 

 on the Front of the Thigh. 



The femoral artery with its cut 

 end is shown. 



