APPENDIX I. 



REPRINT OF THE TENTATIVE PLAN FOR A PROPOSED INVESTIGATION INTO THE PHYSIO- 

 LOGICAL ACTION OF ETHYL ALCOHOL IN MAN. PROPOSED CORRELATIVE STUDY OF 

 THE PSYCHOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL ON MAN. 



(Nutrition Laboratory, Carnegie Institution of Washington, Vila Street, 

 Boston, Mass., U. S. A.. January t, 1913.1 



PROPOSED TENTATIVE PROGRAM FOR AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PHYSIO- 

 LOGICAL EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL TO BE CARRIED OUT IN THE NUTRITION 

 LABORATORY OF THE CARNEGIE INSTITUTION OF WASHINGTON, BOSTON, 

 MASSACHUSETTS. 



It is a well-established fact that ethyl alcohol, when taken in small doses, 

 the total amount per day not exceeding 75 grams, is completely oxidized in the 

 body and thereby replaces nutrients as a source of energy. This fact suggests 

 a large number of experimental problems in the domains of physiology and 

 physiological chemistry which, when studied by the newer methods, should 

 give results of fundamental importance. The calorimetric researches of 

 Professor Atwater and his associates in Middletown, Connecticut, were 

 extended over long periods, usually of 24 hours. The evidence regarding 

 the rapidity of the combustion of alcohol is very uncertain and it therefore 

 seems desirable to again study this source of energy and to determine if possi- 

 ble its relation to severe muscular work. 



The Nutrition Laboratory is especially well fitted for studying problems 

 regarding body temperature, the respiratory exchange, and calorimetry, both 

 during rest and during severe muscular work. Furthermore, with the recent 

 introduction of the string galvanometer and photographic registration appara- 

 tus, many observations which have hitherto never been made of the influence 

 upon physiological processes of the ingestion of alcohol may be accurately 

 recorded. Concurrently, there has been established in the Nutrition Labora- 

 tory an equipment for psychophysical studies based upon the investigations 

 of Professor Raymond Dodge. The extensive research on the metabolism 

 during severe muscular work carried out at the Nutrition Laboratory during 

 the winter of 1911-1912 by Dr. E. P. Cathcart has considerably illuminated 

 our knowledge of the metabolism under these conditions, and the possibility 

 of altering the metabolism by the ingestion of varying amounts of alcohol 

 should prove a most practical field for research. 



Believing that a fundamental investigation by modern technique of the 

 influence of moderate amounts of alcohol upon the body processes is of great 

 importance, it is planned to begin such a study in the fall of 1913. In accord- 

 ance with plans which have been formulating during the last two or more years, 

 I have prepared an outline for this research which I propose to submit to the 

 leading physiologists throughout the world, many of whom I shall personally 

 see on a forthcoming tour of Europe. It is my hope to secure from these men 

 adverse criticism of the plan, together with suggestions for any changes or 

 additions which may seem desirable, so that on my return a revised schedule 

 can be prepared which can truthfully be said to meet the consensus of opinion 

 of practically all physiologists and physiological chemists. If this plan can be 

 successfully carried out, the investigation ought to be undertaken under the 

 best auspices and with the most careful planning of any alcohol investigation 

 thus far attempted. The resources of the Laboratory can be devoted to this 

 investigation for a sufficient length of time to satisfy the majority of scientists 



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