ss compressed than the part that separates
them. The pressure upon the liver-cells and the destruction of
many of them, prevents the proper formation of bile and
liver-sugar. The contraction of the newly-developed tissue, by
obstructing the blood-vessels, interferes with the circulation.
Malt liquors seem to produce fatty degeneration, while the
stronger liquors cause the development of connective
tissue."--_Tracy's Physiology._

Speaking of diseases of the liver, Dr. Trotter said in his _Essay on
Drunkenness_:--

"The chronic species is not a painful disease; it is slow in its
progress, and frequently gives no alarm, till some incurable
affection is the consequence. Hence, the fallacy and danger of
judging merely by the feelings of the beneficial effects of the
use of intoxicating drinks; for the liver and stomach may be
seriously diseased, while a man imagines himself in moderate
health."

Hardening of the liver, or "hob-nailed" liver, is said to be the result,
largely, of taking liquor upon an empty stomach. Dr. E. Chenery, of
Boston, in his excellent book, _Facts for the Millions_, tells of a
patient of his who was well up to the evening before, when he went out
and drank with some companions, taking the liquor on an empty stomach.
That night, vomiting and pain in the right side came on, with high
fever. Headache began and increased, followed by delirium and a general
jaundiced condition. He died as a result. The disease was acute
inflammation of the liver, brought on by the one broadside of alcohol
poured "point blank" into the organ.

Dr. Chenery says further on in the same book:--

"There is another disorder of a very serious nature which
science is now laying at the doors of the liver--_diabetes
mellitus_, or sugar in the urine. Till quite recently, this
formidable affection has been regarded as having its seat in the
kidneys; and it is so classified in medical writings. Later
researches, however, show that the sugar has been formed in the
economy before it reaches the kidneys, and that these organs act
only as strainers with respect to it, removing it from the blood
as they remove salt and various other substances. In seeking for
the fountain-head of diabetic sugar, it is found that the liver
is the great glycogenic, or sugar-originating factory of the
body. In an ordinary state of health this substanc