INORGANIC SALTS, STIMULANTS, AND CONDIMENTS. 929 



have developed gradually, but also in cases of acute alcoholism 

 resulting from excessive doses. On the other hand, it is known 

 that many individuals use alcohol in moderate doses throughout 

 life with no noticeable evil result, but, on the contrary , with possible 

 benefit, particularly in advanced life. The matter of practical 

 importance and interest is to determine the physiological role of 

 moderate doses of alcohol. Does it serve a useful purpose, acting 

 as a food or stimulant, or is it a poison in all doses to a greater or 

 less extent ? The literature upon the subject is very large and 

 in many respects conflicting. Only a brief summary can be 

 attempted here. Regarding its stimulating action the general 

 experience of mankind attributes a result of this kind to its use 

 in small quantities, but the experimental evidence is of an uncer- 

 tain nature. Some observers have claimed that the reaction 

 time is diminished after the use of alcohol, but most of the recent 

 investigation goes to show that in the work of skilled labor, in 

 which the neuromuscular machinery is involved, alcohol even 

 in small quantities decreases the efficiency.* It has been sug- 

 gested, therefore, that as regards the higher nerve centers it acts 

 from the beginning as a narcotic or paralysant to the inhibitory 

 centers. By thus removmg inhibitory control there is an apparent 

 increase in activity which is not due to a direct stimulating effect. 

 In the comprehensive experiments reported by Dodge and Benedict 

 it is stated in accordance with the above conclusion that alcohol in 

 small doses, 30 to 45 c.c, caused no marked facilitation, but, on the 

 contrary, a lengthening or retardation of simple and complex re- 

 flexes involving neuromuscular mechanisms, and a raising of the 

 sensory threshold. But in this series of experiments also there are 

 some contradictions, since a later report (Miles) of observations 

 made upon the same subject and by the same method states that 

 if the period of observation was extended over a longer time the 

 results might be reversed, that is to say, the alcohol might cause a 

 superior neuromuscular activity. In the higher neural reactions 

 such as are brought into play by memory tests alcohol caused an 

 improvement even in the period (two hours) immediately following 

 its use. In view of these varying results it would seem to be im- 

 possible to make any satisfactory general statement in regard to the 

 effect of small doses of alcohol upon the activities of the nervous 

 system. On other mechanisms indecisive results are reported. It 

 is stated that the secretion of the gastric and of the pancreatic juice 

 is markedly increased by the use of alcohol in small doses, so far, 

 at least, as the water secretion is concerned. The content of the 

 * For literature and discussion, see Abel, "The Pharmacological Action of 

 Alcohol," in "Physiological Aspects of the Liquor Problem," vol. ii , 1903; 

 and Horsley and Sturge, "Alcohol and the Human Body." 1907; Dodge and 

 Benedict, "Carnegie Institute Publications," No. 232, 1915; Benedict, 

 "Science," June 30, 1916. 

 59 



