Part 8 (1/2)
II. So far, it will be observed, we have referred only to the indirect effect of alcohol upon the brain, which results from its influence upon the heart-action. I wish now to refer, in a few words, to its direct physiological effect upon the mind, when used as a beverage. Its primary effect is to cause a more rapid flow of thought. It is, as if that portion of a watch which holds its spring and prevents its too rapid uncoiling should be removed; the result would be a quickening of movement, and its power of action would be greatly increased for a little time. So it is with the mind under the primary influence of alcohol; as the blood flows through the brain more freely, thought becomes more accelerated, and there is an excitement of utterance and imagination. This period, however, soon pa.s.ses by, and before long the mind becomes less clear and accurate in its perceptions; it is partially clouded; it loses the nicety of its moral sense; it does not perceive the moral side of conduct so clearly and definitely as formerly; it does not judge so accurately in reference to the claims of friends and society; and there is not that sense of propriety as to personal conduct which formerly existed. Moreover, the rapidity of impressions becomes lessened, and consecutiveness of thought is impaired, so that the mind fails to carry through a train of thought, or conduct a course of reasoning, as it would do when free from the influence of alcohol. This effect may continue under the repeated influences of alcohol until impressions, both objective and subjective, become less and less vivid and more circ.u.mscribed, and ultimately there may result partial paralysis of the power of thought. It becomes more and more liable to irregularity, confusion and weakness; the will loses its power of control in a large degree over mental operations, and insanity in some of its forms not infrequently ensues.
III. There is reason to believe that there results a further action of alcohol upon the electrical currents of the body, which originate in and proceed from the brain. Dr. Mulvaney, Staff Surgeon of the Royal Navy of England, conducted some experiments upon the effects of alcohol on these electrical currents, with the following results: ”He discovered that an ounce of brandy, equal to about half an ounce of alcohol, taken by a healthy man, raised the galvanometer in a few minutes, in one case twenty-five degrees, and in another case forty-five degrees. He concluded that the thermo-electric currents of the system were strongly excited by small doses of alcohol, and that this excitement may be profitably employed when there is 'clear evidence of derangement of function springing from enfeeblement of the organic system of nerves'; but that 'in health, when function, nutrition, and blood and nerve influence are harmonized by structural integrity,' such artificially excited currents, by tending to abstract an undue amount of water from the brain-cells, 'must interfere with their normal working.'”[17]
It appears, then, that there are three well-recognized and clearly p.r.o.nounced effects upon the elements of brain-structure which must result from the use of alcohol even in small doses. It will be observed that nothing has been said as to its physiological effects upon membranes in other portions of the body. I hardly need enter upon this branch of the subject in order to establish proof of its very great effect as an agent in producing a changed and unstable condition of brain-action. And yet we need to bear in mind how greatly its effects on the nervous system in general are increased by its affinity for water; and how it absorbs this from all portions of the body with which it may come in contact, thus tending to leave them in a shrivelled and dry condition,--one unfavorable to discharge of function.
That this may be more clearly understood in relation to the membranes of other portions of the system, as well as those of the brain, I quote from Dr. Richardson[18] a few sentences:
”Upon all these membraneous structures alcohol exerts a direct perverting power of action. It produces in them a thickening, a shrinking, and an inactivity that reduces their functional power. That they may work rapidly and equally, the membranes require to be at all times properly charged with water. If into contact with them any agent is brought that deprives them of water, then is their work interfered with; they cease to separate the saline const.i.tuents correctly; and if the evil that is thus started be allowed to continue, they contract upon their contained matter, in whatever organ it may be situated, and condense it.
”By its effects upon these membranes, envelopes, and coverings, alcohol becomes one of the most extreme causes of modification of animal function, and one of the greatest sources of structural degeneration.”
In the consideration of the subject as above, reference has been made to the effect of alcohol upon the adult system. But there can be no question that it is vastly greater and more ruinous in its effects upon the brain, when used during the period of youth and early manhood. At this time, the whole system is much more susceptible to unfavorable influences of all kinds, and especially is this the case with the brain, and that portion of it which is concerned in mentality.
The more highly sensitive and delicately organized any portion, or the substance of any part of the system may be, the more easily and rapidly are impressions and changes of a permanent character made upon it. The brain, being more highly organized than any other organ or portion of the body, and the metamorphosis of its tissues being more rapid during the earlier periods of life, becomes greatly more susceptible to the bad effects of alcohol, and a diathesis is more rapidly created. And, it may be added, that, when this diathesis has once become developed during early life, there exists almost no hope of eradicating it, or of again rendering the brain healthy.
Improvement may take place while abstinence from alcohol continues and the person is under restraint, but when once again the unfortunate victim is thrown upon his own resources, and left to his self-control, he always falls, and returns again to his cups, as a sow to her wallowing in the mire.
In the preceding chapter upon Heredity in its relation to the Insane Diathesis, it was shown that the effects of alcohol are such, that they are most surely transmitted from parent to child; and that its effects, both moral and physical, are of the most serious character.
We have now seen how it comes to pa.s.s that such is the nature of its effects. By its too frequent use there results a changed condition of the coats of the blood-vessels, and an abnormal state of the brain-cells and fibres. In accordance with the laws of heredity, a tendency to this condition is transmitted from parent to child, to the third or fourth generation, unless it be sooner eliminated, and may manifest itself in any one of the many forms mentioned, all of which are of a serious nature and generally exist through life. The importance therefore of abstinence from the use of alcoholic beverages by all parents, and especially by the young of both s.e.xes in its relation to the subject of healthy brain action, can hardly be overestimated. No one change in the customs of society and the habits of individuals could occur, which would exert a larger influence toward the prevention of insanity.
CHAPTER XI.
TOBACCO.
As this substance is so generally used and so often referred to in connection with alcohol as to its effects upon the human system, it appears proper to allude to its physiological effects upon the brain in this immediate connection.
Views of an opposite character as to its use have long prevailed. Much has been written in relation to its baneful effects upon the human system, the active poisons it is known to contain, and its demoralizing tendencies in general. It has been accused of being the cause of numerous diseases of a grave nature, such as cancer, chronic bronchitis, insanity, diseases of the throat and the mucous membranes of the mouth and nose, etc., etc.
It bears the blame of causing filthy, and ofttimes disgusting, habits, and of being not only a useless but a pernicious and expensive luxury.
On the other hand, much has been and continues to be said as to its comforting and soothing effects, and the sense of enjoyment and luxury resulting from it, when used in the form of smoke and with moderation.
And if an opinion as to its excellencies and value to the human race could be formed from the amount yearly consumed, or the vast sums of capital invested in its culture, manufacture, and sales in the United States alone, it would take rank as an article possessed of the highest value to mankind.
This, however, cannot be considered as a fair criterion by which to judge of its virtues or its vices; neither can we look for an impartial judgment as to its influence upon individuals or society, from those who may form opinions founded on impressions or prejudices only. It becomes necessary, therefore, to study its physiological effects as accurately and impartially as possible, and accept such results as this course may lead to.
For my present purpose it does not become necessary to go into details as to the effects of all the elements of tobacco, or of the effects of any of these elements, except as observed in their action upon the nervous system. I shall not, therefore, enter upon any minute a.n.a.lysis of the substance, preferring to leave this for those who write with a view of covering a more extended field of research.
When tobacco, in substance, or in the form of smoke, comes in contact with the mucous membrane of the mouth, throat, and nose, there results a more or less distinct biting sensation on the tongue and in the throat, unless these parts have already become accustomed to its effects. This increases in the case of the beginner, until in a few minutes a feeling of warmth and faintness comes on, often attended with nausea, vomiting, and headache. If the dose has been sufficient, the person becomes faint and unable to stand, the skin becomes cool, a perspiration appears on the forehead, the heart acts feebly, the respiration is short and hurried, and life itself is in danger.[19]
One of the elements of tobacco, nicotine (which is itself composed of several bases), pa.s.ses into the blood, and is conveyed in it to the brain.
As this is one of the most active poisons of which we have any knowledge, and, as such, acts directly on the brain, rapidly inducing the conditions mentioned, and overpowering the functions of the nervous system, it will readily be comprehended how profound its influence must be upon the nervous filaments and brain-cells. This influence is one of paralysis--a deadening of the functional activity of certain portions of the brain, and, if continued long enough, is radiated through the nerves to the heart and other organs.
If, however, a small quant.i.ty only has been absorbed into the circulation, the effect upon the brain is less permanent than would be expected from its profound influence. It soon becomes eliminated from the system through the agency of the lungs, the skin, and the kidneys,[20] and the nervous system resumes its normal activity.
Subsequent experiences after the first few are widely different. The brain becomes _tolerant_ of the poison, so far as relates to its more manifest and paralyzing effect, and in the process of time the smoker realizes very little, if any, other than a sense of soothing, and, therefore, grateful influence upon the system. The brain even comes, in the process of time and experience, to crave its influence. A condition, abnormal as to experiences and cravings, has resulted, which will demand the frequent and continued repet.i.tion of those pleasing sensations which result from its use. When this influence pa.s.ses off, there comes again into operation a more acute activity of nerve function, and a consequent sensation bordering upon or akin to pain as the brain begins to act under the freedom and force of a vitality not blunted or partially paralyzed by the presence of the poison. To relieve this there must be a repet.i.tion of its use, and this process continues until there becomes developed a true _diathesis_ of the nervous system, as in the case of alcohol and opium, though one not, in general, so difficult to overcome.