It produces in them a thickening, a shrinking and an inactivity that reduces their functional power.

That they may work rapidly and equally, they require to be at all times charged with water to saturation.

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 constituents properly; 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.
"In brief, under the prolonged influence of alcohol those changes which take place from it in the blood corpuscles, and which have already been described, extend to the other organic parts, involving them in structural deteriorations, which are always dangerous, and are often ultimately fatal." ACTION OF ALCOHOL ON THE STOMACH.
Passing from the effect of alcohol upon the membranes, we come to its action on the stomach.

That it impairs, instead of assisting digestion, has already been shown in the extract from Dr.Monroe, given near the commencement of the preceding chapter.

A large amount of medical testimony could be quoted in corroboration, but enough has been educed.
We shall only quote Dr.Richardson on "Alcoholic Dyspepsia:" "The stomach, unable to produce, in proper quantity, the natural digestive fluid, and also unable to absorb the food which it may imperfectly digest, is in constant anxiety and irritation.