"Massart and Bordet, Metchnikoff and Sims Woodhead, have
proved that alcohol, even in very dilute solution, prevents
the white blood corpuscles from attacking invading germs,
thus depriving the system of the cooperation of these
important defenders, and reducing the powers of resisting
disease. The experiments of Richardson, Harley, Kales, and
others have demonstrated the fact that one to five per cent
of alcohol in the blood of the living human body in a
notable degree alters the appearance of the corpuscular
elements, reduces the oxygen bearing elements, and prevents
their reoxygenation."
Alcohol weakens Resistance to Disease.--In acute illnesses, grippe, fevers,
blood poisoning, etc., substances formed in the blood termed "antibodies"
antagonize the action of bacteria, facilitating their destruction by the
white blood cells and neutralizing their poisonous influence. In a person
with good "resistance" this protective machinery, which we do not yet
thoroughly understand, works with beautiful precision, and the patient
"gets well." Experiments by scientific experts have demonstrated that
alcohol restrains the formation of these marvelous antibodies. Alcohol puts
to sleep the sentinels that guard your body from disease.
The Effect of Alcohol on the Circulation.--Alcoholic drinks affect the very
delicate adjustment of the nervous center's controlling the blood vessels
and heart. Even very dilute alcohol acts upon the muscles of the tiny blood
vessels; consequently, more blood is allowed to enter them, and, as the
small vessels are usually near the surface of the body, the habitual
redness seen in the face of hard drinkers is the ultimate result.
"The first effect of diluted alcohol is to make the heart
beat faster. This fills the small vessels near the surface.
A feeling of warmth is produced which causes the drinker to
feel that he was warmed by the drink. This feeling, however,
soon passes away, and is succeeded by one of chilliness. The
body temperature, at first raised by the rather rapid
oxidation of the alcohol, is soon lowered by the increased
radiation from the surface.
"The immediate stimulation to the heart's action soon passes
away and, like other muscles, the muscles of the heart lose
power and contract with less force after having been excited
by alcohol."--MACY, _Physiology_.
Alcohol, when brought to act directly on heart muscle, lessens the force of
the beat. It may even cause changes in the tissues, which eventually result
in the breaking of the walls of a blood vessel or the plugging of a vessel
with a blood clot. This condition may cause the disease known as
_apoplexy_.
Effects of Tobacco upon the Circulation.--"The frequent use of cigars or
cigarettes by the young seriously affects the quality of the blood.
The red blood corpuscles are not fully developed and charged with
their normal supply of life-giving oxygen. This causes paleness of the
skin, often noticed in the face of the young smoker. Palpitation of
the heart is also a common result, followed by permanent weakness, so
that the whole system is enfeebled, and mental vigor is impaired as
well as physical strength."--MACY, _Physiology_.