NUTRITION LABORATORY. 291 



over several years. A careful analysis has been made of the results 

 obtained and the different sources and amounts of errors involved in 

 the several methods studied have been thoroughly considered. The 

 computations have been made and checked and the manuscript is ready 

 for pubHcation. 



Influence of moderate doses of alcohol upon psychological processes. — -In 

 connection with the extensive program for the investigation on the 

 effects of the ingestion of moderate doses of alcohol, Professor Raymond 

 Dodge, with several assistants, has actively prosecuted the study of the 

 psychological effects of such doses. While it would not be possible in 

 the space of one year to carry out any large part of the elaborate 

 program outlined for this important subject, nevertheless the work 

 has progressed with unusual rapidity and accuracy and it is believed 

 that the report now being prepared will be of an authoritative nature. 



The after-effects of the ingestion of alcohol upon the nervous system. — • 

 An extended series of observations made by Professor Miles, on a 

 subject who had previously served in the work of Profesors Dodge, 

 shows extremely interesting after-effects. The problem is still under 

 investigation. 



The effect of alcohol upon the alveolar air and respiratory exchange. — By 

 determining the alveolar carbon-dioxide tension and simultaneously 

 the total respiratory exchange, Mr. H. L. Higgins has studied the 

 influence of small doses of alcohol (10 to 25 grams) to secure informa- 

 tion upon the rapidity of combustion of alcohol and its participation 

 in the total respiratory exchange. 



The effect of small doses of alcohol on skilled muscular processes. — 

 Typewriting was chosen as a convenient and extensively used form of 

 muscular activity on which the influence of alcohol could be studied 

 with advantage. The subjects operate the typewriter during approxi- 

 mately 20 minutes in each half -hour experimental period, the remaining 

 time being occupied in measurements of related neuro-muscular pro- 

 cesses. A complete kymographic record supplements the typewritten 

 sheet, making possible the analysis of results. The investigation is 

 being carried out by Professor W. R. Miles. 



Effect of therapeutic agents upon the respiratory exchange. — A series of 

 experiments to study the effect of several drugs used in therapeutics 

 upon the respiration and gaseous exchange has been made by Mr. 

 Higgins in conjunction with Dr. J. H. Means, of Professor Edsall's 

 clinic at the Massachusetts General Hospital. The drugs used in these 

 experiments were antipyrene, atropine, caffeine, camphor, codeine, 

 heroine, morphine, and strychnine. The alveolar carbon-dioxide ten- 

 sion of the subject was found before and at different intervals after the 

 administration of the drug, the object being to find if the sensitivity of 

 the respiratory center to carbon dioxide was affected. Simultaneous 

 determinations of the respiratory exchange afforded opportunity to 



