TEMPERANCE ESSAY PRIZE.

White Ribbon, Volume 33, Issue 393, 18 April 1928, Page 18

TEMPERANCE ESSAY PRIZE.

THK EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON THE HUMAN BODY.

.Although alcohol is a useful drug, when used according to doctor’s orders, it is a deadly poison belonging to a class called narcotics. It is manufactured by destroying good foods, such as fruit juices. Alcohol is so cunning in its operations, that when anyone takes an intoxicating drink, they wish for more and more, until their body is quite saturated with poison. Many organs of the body art harmed by the poisonous alcohol, among them being the brain, the heart, and the liver. If alcohol is taken immediately after meals, the food turns into a leathery substance which causes indigestion. If the in n ous system begins to decay, sleeplessness and headaches are caused. Drinks containing alcohol, have a very harmful effect upon the brain, which directs the activities of all the organs of the body. If a motorist has been drinking intoxicating liquors, he may think he is driving straight, when he really is not, and thus be a menace to all. Alcohol affects the centre of balance, which is at the back of the head, making people walk from one side of the path to the other. When anyone drinks alcohol, the heart beats taster, thus wearing out that organ of the body more quickly. The circulation is hindered by the sudden changes in the beating of the heart, and this often results in heart failure. While under the influence of alcohol, which is highly deleterious to the mind, some people become boisterous. If the use of intoxicating liquors is continued for a long time, it will lead the victim finally to insanity. When alcohol is taken into the stomach, it, having a strong affinity for water, draw’s the moisture from the food therein causing indigestion. Alcoholic liquors dilute such juices as the bile and pancreatic juice, which are used in the stomach, thus hindering the process of digestion, and causing acute inflammation of the peritoneum. People who are addicted to the drinking of alcoholic liquors, have fatty, enlarged livers. The habitual

use of alcohol is liable to cause jaundice, which makes the skin turn yellow. This is caused by the liver not cleansing the blood properly. Alcohol causes some serious diseases, among them being Bright’s disease and dyspepsia. Besides inducing flies*' diseases, alcohol impairs the vital powers of the system making people less capable of resisting an attack of acute diseases generally. Since alcohol is so very harmful to all the organs of the body, including the brain, the nervous system and the heart, our rule should be to bar this deadly poison in every form, and to do all W’e can to prevent it being used in this country. DOREEN MACKAY, St. George School, South Invercargill.