PULSE DURING MENTAL AND PHYSICAL WORK. 



209 



table 38 is shown the effect of dose A and dose B on the average pulse 

 and on the average difference respectively. 



An inspection of table 38 shows that the general effect of alcohol on 

 the average duration of the pulse-lengths during the 3-hour association 

 experiments is in the direction of pulse-acceleration. The average 

 pulse-cycles are shorter under alcohol than on normal days. In terms 

 of the average differences (1-2, 1-3, etc.), the natural retardation of 

 the pulse in the sequence of the experimental periods is notably dimin- 

 ished by alcohol. 



The numerical values of these changes after dose A and dose B are 

 given in the columns under the legends, "Effect of alcohol: dose A," 



TABLE 38. Summary of the average length of pulse-cycles during the association experiments 



[Values given in thousandths of a second.] 



l One normal day only. 



and "dose B " respectively. This table shows that the average normal 

 retardation of the pulse in the 3-hour association experiments is 0.048" 

 more than it is after the 30 c.c. dose, and 0.068" more than it is after 

 45 c.c. dose of alcohol. In each case where there are data for both 

 doses, the effect varies with the dose. In the entire group of data there 

 is only one negative instance, Subject VI. 



In answer to the question whether alcohol accelerated or retarded 

 the pulse during the association experiments, one must say that while 

 an actual acceleration after the dose of alcohol is only occasional, a 

 relative acceleration is almost universal. In other words, under similar 

 conditions, and in homologous periods of the 3-hour experimental 

 sessions, the pulse is faster after alcohol than on normal days. 



A comparison of the pulse-lengths of the various periods of the two 

 normal days and after alcohol is given in table 39. 



The course of the pulse on the first normal day shows a regular 

 retardation from the first to the last period. A comparison of the 



