RESPIRATION AND EXCRETION 397 



there are often other poisons equally dangerous to health." — Maoy, 

 Physiology. 



Effect of Alcohol on the Kidneys. — It is said that alcohol is one of 

 the greatest causes of disease in the kidneys. The forms of disease known 

 as " fatty degeneration of the kidney " and " Bright's disease " are both 

 frequently due to this cause. The kidneys are the most important or- 

 gans for the removal of nitrogenous waste. 



Alcohol unites more easily with oxygen than most other food materials, 

 hence it takes away oxygen that would otherwise be used in oxidizing these 

 foods. Imperfect oxidation of foods causes the development and reten- 

 tion of poisons in the blood which it becomes the work of the kidneys to 

 remove. If the kidneys become overworked, disease will occur. Such 

 disease is Ukely to make itself felt as rheumatism or gout, both of which 

 are believed to be due to waste products (poisons) in the blood. 



Dr. Me^Michael, in the Dietetic and Hygienic Gazette, says, " Alcohol 

 produces disease of the hver and of the kidneys because these glands are 

 most concerned in the throwing out of any poison, and are always, until 

 they are deranged in structure, engaged in removing it from the body." 

 He further says that the disease almost universally caused in the Uver by 

 alcohol is one in which the eonneeti^'e tissue framework of the li\'er in- 

 creases, taking the place of the Uver cells, until the hver is no longer able 

 to perform its function. 



The kidneys may undergo a change similar to that of the Uver when 

 alcohol is used, even in moderate amounts, for a long period. 



" Influence of Alcohol upon Excietion. — If the waste substances con- 

 stantly formed in the body are not promptly removed, they tend to poison 

 the system. When the organism is at a high level of health, the breaking 

 down of tissue by oxidation, which produces waste, goes on rapidly and 

 vigorously. When this is retarded, as we ha^e seen it to be when alcohol 

 is introduced into the circulation and uses up the oxygen which should 

 be appUed to the oxidation of food, then the weight may increase, but it is 

 by the retention of poisonous matter wliieh ought to be removed. No 

 other one cause creates so much disease of the kidneys as does the use of 

 alcohol. Imperfect oxidation of food develops poisons which the kidneys 

 are overtaxed to remove. This may be caused by eating too much, or 

 by eating unwholesome food, or too much of certain kinds of food, as sugar 

 especiaUy ; or it may be caused by alcohol. ' Patty degeneration of the 

 kidneys ' is a frequent result of the use of alcoholic drinks. The ceUs of 

 the tissues become so altered, also, that they fail to act normaUy by re- 

 moving only the poisonous substances, and they allow the valuable ele- 

 ments in the blood to be drained off with the waste. This is seen in the 

 serious disease called ' Bright's disease ' in which the albumin which is 

 necessary to health is excreted by the Iddneys." ^ Macy, Physiology. 



Poisons produced by Alcohol. — Whin loo Utile o.xygen enters the 

 draft of the stove, the wood is burned imperfectly, and there are clouds 



