288. The stomach is one of the organs which become injured
by habitual drunkenness. Chronic diseases of this organ
very commonly occur among drunkards, who become the
iOonstant victims of iudigestion, and either habitually reject
.or liave a total aversion for food, and thus, from want of due
Dutrition, become the miserable emaciated objects that we
frequently see them.
284. The liver is another organ, diseases and disorders of
. wMch (such as hepatic inflammations, enlargements, or degene-
. rations and jaundice) are among the permanent effects of the
abuse of spirit/EU

- 285. It is however npon the nervous system and the brain
. that the most serious pecyianent effects of drunkenneos'are pro-
duced. The most melancholy affection of the brain resulting
■ from habitual inebriety is known as delirium tremens which
' uporveuQi when th3 system is depressed from disease, or



Ill

finziety, or when the sapply of a^^ent spirite is saddenlyout oST.
^hifi. Section ia marked by great depressioD of the vital pow-
ers, by a peculiar agitation and trembling of the limbs, apd by ^
flerangement of the ii^telleotual powers amounting to deliriam.
U!his deliriupi is associated with a peculiar apprehension of
evil, and is generally characterized by striking illusions of the
f ensQS. For instance, it i^ related of a military man, who, on
one oQcasion, was attacked daring the night with visions of
VBJf, that he fe^noying himself surrounded by enemies, gp^
put of bed ^d did battle, tUl the morning, upon the t&ble an4
chairs. The most distressing feature of deliriam tremens i^
protracted wakefulness, and an entire want of sleep, so that
If pleep be not ensured after a time by some adequate means,
fis giving opium, or chloral, the individual may die of nervous
fixhaustion.
