64 OUR BODIES AND HOW WE LIVE 



movement. The result is well illustrated in the unsteady 

 hand of the inveterate cigarette smoker when he attempts 

 to draw a straight line or do other nice work which requires 

 precision of touch. 



95. Alcohol and the Operations of Armies. The armies 

 of the great nations are often called upon to undertake at 

 short notice long campaigns in almost every climate of the 

 world. A modern army is built up and handled upon a 

 strictly scientific plan. 



Many experiments have been made upon large armies to 

 test the value of a daily ration of alcoholic liquor to men 

 exposed to the dangers of tropical climates and forced to 

 endure every variety of hardship. The results of these 

 experiments upon the British armies during the recent 

 arduous Boer campaigns in South Africa show that the 

 soldiers could endure longer marches with no strong 

 drink than when it was allowed them as a part of their 

 daily fare. England's ablest generals, who handle their 

 armies upon a scientific basis, have strictly forbidden 

 the supply of alcoholic liquor to any troops under their 

 command. 1 



Experiments go to show that while the men were able 

 to do an increased amount of work for a very short time 



1 We learn that they took this step on two grounds. First, on the 

 ground that from long experience they were convinced that the physical 

 condition of the troops would, under these conditions, be enormously 

 improved, and the men would have much greater staying power, while 

 their dash, determination, and steadiness would also be increased. The 

 second ground appears to have been that the mental and moral stamina of 

 the troops would be preserved in a far greater degree than could possibly 

 be the case if alcohol were served out. The result has been that the health, 

 spirits, and conduct of the troops have been the admiration of all those who 

 have had dealings with them, and this experiment on a large scale has been 

 an unqualified success. G. SIMS WOODHEAD, M.D. 



