Measurements Employed. 23 



perhaps had been in the habit of taking more alcohol than any other 

 one of the normal group and who recorded the most mild general effects 

 from the Laboratory doses, demonstrates according to this same sum- 

 mary experimental effects of the alcohol which are above the average. 

 The case of Subject X was peculiar in that this subject ate a full meal 

 immediately before the experiment began, and only dose A, 30 c.c, was 

 given. 



The basis for judging the quantity of alcohol which constitutes a 

 moderate dose must ultimately be the experimental evidence of an 

 effect plus the general subjective effect which the alcohol produces. 

 Obviously for any one amount, as, for example, dose A of these experi- 

 ments, the general effect will vary in degree with the subject and the 

 particular group of conditions which are present at the time of any 

 specific experimental session. For the abstainer 45 c.c. is perhaps im- 

 moderate, while for Subject IX (and probably for Subject VII), judged 

 on the basis of usual habits, it certainly could not be so considered. 1 



MEASUREMENTS EMPLOYED AND THEIR SEQUENCE. 



Since Dodge and Benedict have carefully described the apparatus 

 employed and the technique of the various measurements which have 

 been used, it is not necessary to duplicate these descriptions and dis- 

 cussions here. The purpose, as stated, was to repeat in part their 

 observations. Therefore, the same apparatus was used and only a 

 few minor changes were permitted in the procedure. Most of these 

 changes were kindly suggested by Dodge on the basis of his experience 

 with the normal group of subjects. They were not proposed as adjust- 

 ments required specifically for Subject VI. It is likely that some 

 specific changes should have been made for this particular subject, as, 

 for example, more insistent instructions to be very careful and look 

 exactly at the fixation marks in the eye-movement measurements. 

 (See p. 79.) 



The routine of the experimental day was as follows: Immediately 

 upon reaching the Laboratory the subject was seated and the pulse was 

 counted at the wrist. The assistant adjusted the electrodes to their 

 places of contact with the body for the taking of electro-cardiograms 

 and fastened the respiration recorder in place. Meanwhile data were 

 secured concerning the amount of sleep in the previous 24 hours; the 

 last food taken, time of eating, and approximate amount eaten; general 

 condition of the subject, and any other details that seemed pertinent. 2 



1 The consensus of opinion as expressed in experimental studies on human beings is that any 

 amount of alcohol between 15 and 60 c.c. may be considered as moderate. Kurz and Kraepelin 

 (Psychologische Arbeiten, 1901, 3, p. 418) gave 100 c.c. of absolute alcohol and still claimed that 

 it was a quantity such as is generally supposed to be moderate, that is, equaling 2 liters of bfier. 

 For information concerning the amount of absolute alcohol in usual retail measures of the ordinary 

 alcoholic beverages, see the useful book, D'Abernon and others, Alcohol; Its action on the human 

 organism, London, 1918, Appendix 5. 



2 The nude weight of the subject was secured at the end of the day's session. 



