330 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



ately lowers his own money value to the world and to 

 himself. 



479. But there are higher considerations than these. 

 Alcohol in small quantities stimulates the cells to vig- 

 orous action for a time ; then reaction and weakness may 

 follow. In larger quantities alcohol produces, instead 

 of a stimulating effect, a narcotic poisoning which par- 

 alyzes the nerves. This is first apparent in the higher 

 cerebral centers, and if the poison is sufficient in amount, 

 the paralysis extends till the whole voluntary portion of 

 the nervous system is involved, leaving only the centers 

 controlling the vital functions unaffected. The first 

 glass of liquor may simply render a man unusually lively, 

 talkative, perhaps brilliant, eloquent, entertaining, con- 

 fidential, speaking freely of private affairs, revealing 

 secrets. This stage will pass away before long, and if 

 another glass is taken, and another, a progressive par- 

 alyzing of the mental faculties is seen. The ready flow 

 of language disappears, utterance becomes thick, and ideas 

 confused, stupor comes on, and the man falls to the floor 

 "dead drunk," though circulation and respiration still 

 go on. If he has taken alcohol enough, these too will 

 cease, from the paralysis of the vital centers, and the 

 victim will die. Occasionally a man runs through this 

 course in a single debauch, but such cases are rare. 

 Usually years of progressive deterioration precede the 

 great catastrophe. The man's friends look on in help- 

 less anguish. Noble manhood gradually sinks to the 

 level of the beast, and below even that. He who was 

 designed to be a mighty power- for good to himself and 

 to the world, becomes a curse to himself, a disgrace and 

 a terror to his family and a burden to the community, 

 which must employ police to watch him, build a hospital 



