FOODS AND NUTRITION 



397 



body is weakened so that it becomes an easy prey to dis- 

 ease germs. 



How Alcohol is Made. Alcohol is made by the action 

 of yeasts on fruit or grain juices. Fermentation results 

 in changing the grape sugar to alcohol, the carbon dioxide 

 passing into the air. 



Patent Medicines. Many patent medicines contain 

 alcohol and other harmful constituents such as opium, 



Cider Beer Wine, Whiskey Brandy 



FIG. 353. Relative Amounts of Alcohol. 



morphine, and cocaine. Bitters and tonics which are so 

 widely advertised frequently contain alcohol in quantities 

 ranging from 15 per cent to 45 per cent. Whiskey is 

 50 per cent alcohol, wines about 10 per cent, and beer 

 5 per cent (Figure 353). By comparing the percentage 

 of alcohol in patent medicines with the percentages of 

 alcohol in the ordinary alcoholic drinks, some idea of the 

 dangerous effects of such medicines may be easily obtained. 



