CHAPTER XVII 

 GERM CELLS DAMAGED BY ALCOHOL 



On the fifth of December, 1911, there appeared an article 

 in a German paper, written by Dr. Forel. 1 This article dis- 

 cusses germ cells and gives an interesting account of certain 

 hens' eggs and their hatching. 



It seems that 160 eggs were in an incubator in a shed, 

 ready to be hatched. All were due to hatch the same day, 

 but when they appeared, instead of straight-legged, well- 

 shaped little creatures, every third chick that pecked its way 

 into the world had either crooked legs, useless wings, a 

 twisted back, or some other deformity. Moreover, instead 

 of 1 60 chicks, only 78 were hatched, and this included every 

 deformed one. The rest died in their shells, not having 

 vigor enough to make their way out. Worse yet, instead of 

 keeping alive after they were fairly hatched, 40 of the chicks 

 died within four days. 



Such a record as this has to be explained somehow, and 

 those who studied the case searched surrounding conditions. 

 Dr. Forel reports results. He says the investigators found 

 that the shed where the incubator was kept had a cellar to 

 it, that the owner of the eggs used this cellar as a distillery, 

 and that while the chicks were developing in their shells the 

 man had kept his distillery busy making brandy. 



1 Printed in the Munchener. medizinische Wochenschrift, December 5, 

 1911. 



118 



