334 ON -WINE DRTNKINO, AND 



dilatation of the vessels of tlie brain. Wino is suoli a 

 stimulant ; hence a freer flow of blood throngh the brain, 

 and the feeling of increased activity.* 



The eifects of wine on the stomach (which depend in 

 a very great measure on the state of dilution of the alcohol, 

 the amount of tannin, acidity, etc.) begin quickly and do 

 not continue long, absorption soon taking place. On albumi- 

 nous food the action is unfavourable, except in dilute anil 

 small quantities, inasmuch as there is a certain amount of 

 hardening. For example, chopped egg was mixed with 

 a digestive fluid and placed in a uniform tempei'aturo of 

 99° F. in a glass heater. In another vessel an equal quan- 

 tity of egg and digestive fluid had some claret added, 

 another port, and another sherry. Mr. Baskott very kindly 

 estimated the amount of egg digested in each case and 

 found as follows : — 



1. 



Without any 



wino 



2 



centigram 



2. 



With claret 





... 1 





7) 



3. 



„ sherry 





... -75 





)) 



4. 



„ port 





... -cr) 





:■> 



In the living body however wo have various other factors 

 to consider; on albximinous food wine retards digestion; 

 it retards also the action of the gastric juice if above U) 

 per cent, alcohol is present ; it seriously interferes when 

 20 per cent, is present : but it also does throe other things.; 

 viz. it may increase appetite, it increases the vascvdarity 

 and churning movements of the stomach, and it increases 

 the secretion of the gastric juice. 



• See Lauder Brunton's "Materia Medica," where it is pointed out 

 that all nations have the habit of stimulating this nerve when in deep 

 thought ; e.g., taking snuff, scratching the head, rubbing the nose or 

 chin, etc. 



