48 Effect of Alcohol on Psycho-Physiological Functions. 



The patellar-reflex data obtained in the second series are believed to 

 be very homogeneous. There were no large fluctuations in the laten- 

 cies, such as are mentioned by Dodge and Benedict, and the differences 

 were usually small, as will be seen by a comparison of tables 3 and 4 

 with Dodge and Benedict's table 2. In only one instance (July 1, 

 period 2, 50-gram stimulus, table 3) were the records for L and A 

 illegible for any cause ; table 4 shows relatively few cases in which it was 

 wholly impossible to read any of the L' and A' values in a period on 

 account of insufficient amplitude of reflex. So far as the data taken are 

 concerned, there is little to be desired. It is therefore significant that 

 the effect of alcohol is so small and that the two sets of results so nearly 

 check each other, thus indicating the difference between Subject VI and 

 the others in the normal group. That a slightly increased latency 

 should be shown by the average as a final effect of alcohol can not be 

 regarded as of great importance. Approximately the same number of 

 plus L differences occur on the three normal days as on the three alcohol 

 days; those in the alcohol days are somewhat larger and are particu- 

 larly influenced by the results for July 2. The probable correctness 

 figures are of very uneven value, and are, in general, larger for L than 

 for A, but not always of such size as to warrant much confidence in the 

 differences. All that may be said, therefore, is that 30 c.c. of alcohol 

 had but small effect on the patellar reflex of Subject VI; in the data 

 secured within 2 hours after the dose, it tended to depress the patellar 

 reflex, very slightly increased the latency on the average, and more 

 noticeably decreased the amplitude (excepting A', 30 grams). Both of 

 the last two results are more prominent with the second reflex, in the 

 refractory phase, than with the first reflex. The depression was more 

 prominent on the 30-gram reflexes. 



PROTECTIVE LID REFLEX. 



The patellar reflex was the first measurement in every period, and 

 the lid reflex was always the last measurement made. The two 

 reflexes measured, the one representative of the lowest spinal level, the 

 other a cephalic reflex, were therefore separated by about 40 minutes. 

 Only one intensity of sound stimulation was employed, but the same 

 plan was followed as in the observations of the patellar reflex in that the 

 stimuli were arranged to follow each other with an interval of approxi- 

 mately 0.5 second; data were thus secured concerning a group of 

 reflexes which occurred in the refractory phase. Tables 5 and 6 give 

 the data for the protective lid-reflex measurements, the former show- 

 ing those for the first reflex, and the latter those for the reflex which 

 came in the refractory period. The tables are compiled in like form 

 and under the same captions as the patellar-reflex tables and need no 

 special description. 



