IN HYGIENIC PHYSIOLOGY. 185 



No. Experiments with Arctic voyagers have abundantly 

 proved this, while the certainty that alcohol, in its secondary 

 effect, lowers the temperature of the body, places the fact be- 

 yond dispute. 



47' What is a fatty degeneration of the kidneys ? 



v (See Physiology, p. 181.) 



48. Contrast the action of alcohol and water in the 



body. 



(See Physiology, p. 178, note.) 



49. Is alcohol, in any proper sense of the term, a food ? 



This is a mooted point between the defenders and the op- 

 posers of alcoholic drinks. The author of this Manual consid- 

 ers that the weight of argument and the preponderance of emi- 

 nent authorities justify a decided "No" to this question. 



50. Docs liquor strengthen the muscles of a working- 

 man ? 



(See Physiology, p. 183.) 



On the contrary, the strength of muscle is directly im- 

 paired. Dr. Parkes, an eminent English physician, tested this 

 in a practical way. Taking a certain number of working-men 

 of similar age, equal health, and provided with the same 

 amount of food, he divided them into two gangs, agreeing to 

 pay them wages in proportion to work performed. The first 

 gang he supplied with a daily ration of drink, but withheld it 

 from the second. During the first hour or two the "alcoholic 

 gang " went decidedly ahead of the other. Then they began to 

 flag, while the " non-alcoholics " went steadily on, and before 

 the day was done had far outstripped the drinkers. He then 

 reversed the experiment, giving the second gang an alcoholic 

 ration, and withholding it from the first. The result was the 

 same the non-drinkers always coming out ahead. So decided 

 was the result of the experiment, and so deeply did it impress 

 the men who were engaged in it, though they were not aware 

 of its full significance, that the alcohol men begged to be put 

 upon the non-alcohol gang, in order, as they expressed it, that 

 they " might make a little more money." 



51. Is liquor a wholesome " tonic 9 '? 



