294.  Alcohol, the Enemy of Brain Work.  The healthy brain contains a larger proportion of water than does any other organ.  Now alcohol, with its intense affinity for water, absorbs it from the brain, and thus condenses and hardens its structure.  One of the important elements of the brain is its albumen; this also is contracted by alcohol.  The nerve cells and fibers gradually become shriveled and their activity is lowered, the elasticity of the arteries is diminished, the membranes enveloping the brain are thickened, and thus all proper brain nutrition is impaired.  The entire organ is slowly hardened, and becomes unfitted for the proper performance of its delicate duties.  In brief, alcohol in any and every form is the enemy of successful and long-continued brain work.

[Illustration:  Fig. 123.—­Nerve Trunks of the Right Arm.]

295.  Other Physical Results of Intoxicants.  What are some of the physical results observed?  First, we note the failure of the vaso-motor nerves to maintain the proper tone of the blood-vessels, as in the turgid face and the congested cornea of the eye.  Again, we observe the loss of muscular control, as is shown by the drop of the lower lip, the thickened speech, and the wandering eye.  The spinal cord, too, is often affected and becomes unable to respond to the demand for reflex action, as appears from the trembling hands, the staggering legs, the swaying body, and the general muscular uncertainty.  All these are varied results of the temporary paralysis of the great nerve centers.

Besides, the sensibility of the nerves is deadened.  The inebriate may seize a hot iron and hardly know it, or wound his hand painfully and never feel the injury.  The numbness is not of the skin, but of the brain, for the drunken man may be frozen or burned to death without pain.  The senses, too, are invaded and dulled.  Double vision is produced, the eyes not being so controlled as to bring the image upon corresponding points of the retina.

296.  Diseases Produced by Alcohol.  The diseases that follow in the train of the alcoholic habit are numerous and fatal.  It lays its paralyzing hand upon the brain itself, and soon permanently destroys the integrity of its functions.  In some the paralysis is local only, perhaps in one of the limbs, or on one side of the body; in others there is a general muscular failure.  The vitality of the nerve centers is so thoroughly impaired that general paralysis often ensues.  A condition of insomnia, or sleeplessness, often follows, or when sleep does come, it is in fragments, and is far from refreshing to the jaded body.

In time follows another and a terrible disease known as delirium tremens; and this may occur in those who claim to be only moderate drinkers, rarely if ever intoxicated.  It accompanies an utter breakdown of the nervous system.  Here reason is for the time dethroned, while at some times wild and frantic, or at others a low, mumbling delirium occurs, with a marked trembling from terror and exhaustion.