BIOLOGY APPLIED TO HEALTHFUL LIVING 545 



Herein is the scientific reason for the remark in 353 concern- 

 ing the use of alcoholic fluids for snake-bites. 



It is well known that alcohol in small amount causes flush- 

 ing of the face and a sense of heat over the skin. This is 

 due to the dilation of blood-vessels. 



The combined effect of large quantities of alcohol on heart 

 and blood-vessels is to lower the pressure of the blood. 



Whether these effects are harmful or not depends upon 

 conditions, especially of organs other than the blood-system. 

 It is a significant fact that the modern physician is careful in 

 prescribing alcohol, even in moderate doses, when he desires 

 stimulating effects on the heart and blood-vessels; for the 

 effects on other organs may more than counterbalance any 

 possible good done to the organs of circulation. 



470. Alcohol and Respiration. For a short time after 

 drinking alcoholic fluids there is an increase in the rate of 

 respiration. This is probably due to an increased loss of 

 heat from the dilated blood-vessels of the skin (447). In 

 other words, the respiratory organs must work faster in order 

 to supply oxygen for the increased internal oxidation needed 

 to supply heat in place of that lost. Such a chain of events 

 leads many physicians to question seriously whether good 

 or harm will come from a dose of alcohol, as in pneumonia, 

 with weakened heart and lungs already congested with blood. 

 At any rate, it is exceedingly doubtful whether in conditions 

 of health any useful purpose is served by increasing respira- 

 tion by means of alcohol. 



471. Alcohol and Nervous Organs. The general influence 

 of large amounts of alcohol on the nervous system is well 

 known to all who have observed the actions of drunken men. 



Large quantities of alcohol lessen all mental activities. 

 Careful experiments have shown that even a pint of wine 

 diminishes acuteness of smell and touch and interferes with 

 the power of the eye to estimate measurements. Psycholo- 

 gists have failed to prove that alcohol increases the quantity 



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