ALCOHOL IN RELATION TO BIOLOGY 515 



portant drink, but now, both the amounts used and the alcohol 

 contained, have so increased that alcoholic liquors are a biologi- 

 cal question of the first magnitude. In the discussion that follows 

 it must not be forgotten that alcohol is an indispensable chemical 

 substance, used as a solvent, preservative, and raw material in 

 numerous industries. These are matters that concern the manu- 

 facturing chemist, while biology has to do only with its effect 

 when used as a beverage by man. 



Physical Effects. In the first place alcohol, although oxidized 

 in the body, cannot.be classed as a food, yet is often so called by 

 people who should know better. A food is " a substance which 

 when assimilated in the animal body builds tissue or produces 

 energy without harming the organism." Alcohol harms the 

 organism in various ways as will be shown, hence cannot be classed 

 as a food. 



Alcohol is chiefly oxidized in the liver and the heat is lost by 

 the rush of blood to the skin (Atwater). This oxidation produces 

 uric acid which overworks the liver and kidneys, to the detriment 

 of both (Beebe). 



Dr. Irving Fischer of Yale says, " These heat values cannot 

 be expended without at the same time poisoning the system with 

 alcohol, so it is not even technically correct to count the heat 

 value of alcohol as such." 



Dr. Von Bunge, chemist of University of Basel says, " Alcohol 

 produces energy (heat) but increases the loss of heat still more; 

 the net result being a lowering of temperature; the feeling of 

 warmth is an illusion due to narcotic action on the nerves." 



The same authority also says, " Beer does contain small amounts 

 of dextrine and sugar but we already eat too much of these, and 

 supplied by beer, they are fabulously expensive ; beer does not 

 promote digestion." 



Despite this claim that alcohol is a food, no one really thinks of 

 using it for nourishment, but rather because of its narcotic effects 

 on the nerves. Opium and phosphorus are also oxidized in the 

 body, but no one claims food value for these poisons, and alcohol 

 belongs in the same class. 



