FOOD ACCESSORIES AND DRUGS 299 



wisely to adopt other methods of accomplishing his end. 

 Nor is this conclusion merely theoretical. Brain workers 

 who wish to " keep a clear head " almost universally avoid 

 alcoholic drinks, at least until work is over. 



14. Alcohol in muscular work. That the general effect of 

 alcoholic drinks is to depress rather than stimulate the 

 powers of the body is furthermore indicated by the results 

 of experiments on men doing heavy work, as, for example, 

 soldiers on forced marches. In the Ashanti campaign the 

 effect of alcohol as compared with beef tea was tested. To 

 quote from Sir Lauder Brunton : 



It was found that when a ration of rum was served out, the soldier 

 at first marched more briskly, but after about three miles had been 

 traversed the effect of it seemed to be worn off, and then he lagged 

 more than before. If a second ration were given, its effect was less 

 marked, and wore off sooner than that of the first. A ration of beef tea, 

 however, seemed to have as great a stimulating power as one of rum, and 

 not to be followed by any secondary depression. 



The results of these and other experiments lead us to 

 the conclusion that alcohol cannot be depended upon to in- 

 crease the capacity for hard muscular work and that in the 

 great majority of cases it actually diminishes it. 



15. The dilation of cutaneous arteries by alcohol. One of 

 the most important effects of alcoholic drinks is the dilation 

 of the arteries of the skin, thus sending more warm blood 

 to the surface. It is a common experience among persons 

 not accustomed to alcoholic drinks that even a small amount 

 " makes the face hot " and flushed, and the red face of the 

 toper is proverbial. The result of this dilating effect is that 

 the temperature of the skin rises and the individual feels 

 warmer. Congested states of internal organs may thus be re- 

 lieved, and this is probably one reason why men leading an 

 exclusively sedentary life often use alcoholic drinks apparently 

 to some advantage. But even these would do infinitely better 

 to secure the same result by proper muscular activity. 



