ALCOHOL. 137 



wholesome alcoholic liquids consumed during meals have an 

 action of the first importance on the nerves of the tongue, 

 palate, and nose. By virtue of their taste, flavour, and bouquet, 

 they give a relish to food, increase the appetite, and stimu- 

 late the flow of saliva and the functions of the stomach. 



In the stomach the action of alcohol is complex, and of 

 great importance. (1) Alcohol mixes with the contents of the 

 stomach ; is partly decomposed into acetic acid ; and precipitates 

 some of the proteids of the gastric juice : so far it depresses 

 digestion. (2) It stimulates the mucous membrane, dilating and 

 filling the vessels wilh blood ; excites and markedly in 

 the flow of gastric juice ; sharpens the appetite ; and renders 

 the movements of the viscus more energetic : in these respects 

 it greatly assists digestion. The total effect of a moderate dose 

 of alcohol is decidedly to favour gastric digestion, especially in 

 cases where the nerves, vessels, and glands lack vigour, as in 

 old age and in the chronic dyspepsia of persors weakened by 

 acute illness, town life, and anxious sedentary employments. 

 Herein consists the value of a small amount of wine or whole- 

 some ale taken with meat meals by such subjects. The danger 

 lies in excess, which readily destroys the activity of the juice, 

 and also sets up a secretion of alkaline mucus which greatly 

 interferes with digestion a common cause of acute dyspepsia. 



(3) The action of alcohol on the gastric wall produces 

 extensive effects of a reflex kind. The heart is stimulated by 

 moderate doses, producing a pleasurable rise of pressure and 

 sense of power. The vessels dilate universally, filling the 

 active organs with blood, further increasing their activity, the 

 brain being specially excited, and the skin flushed and warmed 

 subjectively. If the quantity be large these salutary effects 

 of alcohol as a diffusible stimulant may pass into depression ; 

 and the sudden ingestion of a large amount of spirit may prove 

 rapidly fatal by shock. The reflex results of alcoholic stimu- 

 lants, if properly applied, add to its value at mcul times, 

 by increasing the enjoyment of eating, and thus the diirrstivc 

 power. Certain forms* of pain in the stomach and bowels are 

 rapidly relieved by the local action of brandy, which also helps 

 to expel flatus ; and pain, spasm, irregular or feeble action of the 

 heart, cold feelings of the surface, and low conditions of the 

 brain are all quickly removed by the same reflex means, before 

 the alcohol could be absorbed in quantity into the blood. 



2. ACTION ON THE BLOOD. 



Alcohol enters the blood unchanged, and is distributed by 

 it to the tissues and organs, a small part only becoming lost in 

 it as acetic and carbonic acid. The action of alcohol on the 



