Chronic gastritis is met with in heavy drinkers, especially those who take large quantities of spirits. It precedes, and is in great measure responsible for, the.disease of the liver known as "cirrhosis." The inflammation of the mucous lining of the stomach sets up degenerative changes in the cells which secrete the gastric juice, and as a result the hydrochloric acid of the latter, essential for digestion and for the prevention of bacterial fermentation, may be completely absent. Toxins elaborated by microbial action are absorbed from the alimentary canal into the blood and pass with the latter through the portal vein, so that the liver contains these poisons in a special degree. They bring about prolonged irritation and inflammation of the connective-tissue supporting the portal vein and its ramifications in the liver, inducing a swelling of the hepatic cells and leading to an enlargement of the whole liver. Subsequently, the process of fatty degeneration may set in, the protoplasm of the cells being transformed into globules of fat. This enlargement in many cases persists until dropsy supervenes; or there may be a more complete conversion of the chronic inflammatory tissue into fibrous-tissue cells, leading to the formation of what is known as " scar tissue." This permanently replaces some of the active hepatic cells, and results eventually in cirrhosis, involving shrinkage of the liver and formation of the knobby projections or nodules which characterise the " hob-nailed " liver of drunkards. Such an interference with the normal activities of this important organ naturally gives rise to many ill effects, among which may be anaemia, indigestion, and jaundice.

1 Horsley and Sturge, "Alcohol and the Human Body," p. 133.