One of the most important of their functions however, is the removal of this used-up material of the brain-cell, connective tissues, and fibres. If this is imperfectly performed, and some portion of this secondary metamorphosis of material is left unremoved, there must result at least two not very remote effects. 1. A less sensitive and delicate condition of these several constituent portions of brain-substance, and they will become correspondingly less responsive to both objective and subjective impressions or influences. There must result, therefore, a less perfect discharge of thought-function in its various manifestations, both moral and intellectual. 2. This imperfect removal of material which has once discharged its function, and is consequently useless, will ultimately cause a thickening of the coverings of these cells and fibres of the brain, which, in process of time, must render the discharge of their function more difficult and imperfect. II. So far, it will be observed, we have referred only to the indirect effect of alcohol upon the brain, which results from its influence upon the heart-action. I wish now to refer, in a few words, to its direct physiological effect upon the mind, when used as a beverage. Its primary effect is to cause a more rapid flow of thought. It is, as if that portion of a watch which holds its spring and prevents its too rapid uncoiling should be removed; the result would be a quickening of movement, and its power of action would be greatly increased for a little time. So it is with the mind under the primary influence of alcohol; as the blood flows through the brain more freely, thought becomes more accelerated, and there is an excitement of utterance and imagination. This period, however, soon passes by, and before long the mind becomes less clear and accurate in its perceptions; it is partially clouded; it loses the nicety of its moral sense; it does not perceive the moral side of conduct so clearly and definitely as formerly; it does not judge so accurately in reference to the claims of friends and society; and there is not that sense of propriety as to personal conduct which formerly existed. Moreover, the rapidity of impressions becomes lessened, and consecutiveness of thought is impaired, so that the mind fails to carry through a train of thought, or conduct a course of reasoning, as it would do when free from the influence of alcohol. This effect may continue under the repeated influences of alcohol until impressions, both objective and subjective, become less and less vivid and more circumscribed, and ultimately there may result partial paralysis of the power of thought. It becomes more and more liable to irregularity, confusion and weakness; the will loses its power of control in a large degree over mental operations, and insanity in some of its forms not infrequently ensues.