Alcohol, the Sanction for Its Use Scientifically Established and Popularly Expounded by a Physiologist (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1907 edition. Excerpt: ... affects it favourably is absorbed easily by the body and used as a nutrient with the exception of a small loss. It performs the same duty as is done especially by the carbohydrates, i.e., it produces heat, as they do, and is a source of strength for the labour of the muscles. IV ALCOHOL AS A LUXURY IN our last chapter we showed that there was a difference between the alcohol produced in the organism and the alcohol artificially introduced. The difference was that the first was almost entirely absorbed at the place of its origin and appeared free in very small quantity only. The other, if it was absorbed into the blood, took quite a time before being taken up by the organs of elaboration; this alcohol had therefore time to influence as undecomposed alcohol different organs of the body. We, therefore, must take into consideration the specific action of the alcohol imbibed, apart from its nutrient effect, more than that of the alcohol formed in the body. The obnoxious consequences of the immoderate use of alcohol, the abuse of alcohol, rest upon these points, but so also do the favourable results. F Not seldom nowadays do we find the idea expressed, as if it were a fact, that alcohol exerts prominently a specific influence upon the organs. But that is a peculiar idea. We must not only take in a nutrient, but also an acceptable article; otherwise our health would be absolutely ruined. This has been well known scientifically and practically for a number of decades. The neglect of the fact has had serious consequences. Luxuries are always substances which have a specific influence upon the organs. In this sense we shall use the expression luxury. The reader must understand that the meaning of luxury, as superfluous matter, does not come into...