184 EFFECTS OF ALCOHOL. 



" Although alcohol is such a strong force producer and heat 

 generator, its effect in this direction is very soon counterbal- 

 anced by its stronger influence in lowering the general tone of 

 the nervous system, and in producing positive degeneration in 

 the tissues. In the condition of health more food is usually 

 eaten and more force is developed than are actually necessary 

 for the body, and there is constantly a reserve supply of energy 

 on hand which may be utilized for any extraordinary exertion ; 

 and hence the constant use of alcohol as a food or stimulant 

 in health is both unnecessary and unadvisable. When alcohol 

 is consumed in health in addition to a normal or excessive 

 quantity of solid food, by its more ready combustion it pre- 

 vents the complete oxidation of the latter, and favors the ac- 

 cumulation of suboxidized waste products, which are always 

 harmful in the system. Excesses in eating are thus doubly 

 aggravated by the effects of alcohol. It is the almost uni- 

 versal testimony of army surgeons, and the experience of those 

 who, like Greely, Stanley, and others, have led long and peri- 

 lous exploring expeditions involving great fatigue and unusual 

 endurance, that muscular overwork and climatic hardships are 

 much better endured if alcohol is entirely abstained from. 



" It has always been found in armies, that when good food 

 was at hand the issue of alcohol with the regular ration pro- 

 duced an increased percentage of sick days and of incapacity 

 for work. Col. A. A. Woodhull, surgeon U. S. army, writes 

 me : ' I do not think that any of our medical officers would 

 seriously advocate the issue of alcohol as a measure of health ; 

 but I believe that its habitual use during the Rebellion was 

 prohibited for reasons of discipline, while it still might have 

 been occasionally issued as if for health. On the rare occa- 

 sions when it might serve a good purpose, as a temporary stim- 

 ulant after a long and wet march, the wagons would be in the 

 rear, owing to the same conditions that fatigued the men.' 



