410 ANNALS NEW YORK ACADEMY OF SCIENCES 



SECTIOX OF AXTHKOPOLOGY AND PSYCHOLOGY 



22 March, 1915 



Under the auspices of the Section of Anthropology and Psychology, a 

 general meeting of the Academ}- and its Affiliated Societies was held at 

 8:15 p. M.^ Professor E. S. Woodworth presiding. 



The evening was devoted to the following lecture : 



Raymond Dodge, Ixcidence of the Effect of Moderate Doses of 



Alcohol ox the Xeryous System. 



Summary of Paper 



Professor Dodge's lecture gave an account of the principal neuro- 

 muscular techniques which were used in the first year of experimentation 

 under the alcohol programme of the Nutrition Laboratory of the Carnegie 

 Institution for a systematic study of the effects of moderate doses of 

 alcohol on the human organism. These techniques were developed b}^ 

 many 3^ears of preliminary study to exclude arbitrary and voluntary modi- 

 fication of the data as far as possible, and gave a systematic view of 

 nervous action at diiferent levels. 



The results of the experiments show that alcohol affects all levels of 

 the nervous system, including the autonomic system, but in various de- 

 grees. The effect is greatest at those levels where the possibility of 

 autogenic reinforcement is least. The relation between its effect on the 

 cerebro-spinal and on the autonomic systems respectively indicates that 

 alcohol decreases organic efficiency. The best indicator of the effect of 

 alcohol on any particular individual appears to be its effect on the eye 

 movements. 



After the address a collation was served in the Eskimo Hall. This 

 was followed by a reception to Professor Dodge, and the Section then 

 adjourned. 



E. H. LowiE, 



Sec7'eta?'y. 



BUSINESS MEETING 

 5 April, 1915 



The Academy met at 8:15 p. m. at the American Museum of Natural 

 History, President George F. Kunz presiding. In the absence of the 

 Eecording Secretary, Dr. Charles P. Berkey was elected Secretary pro tern. 



The minutes of the last business meeting were read and approved. 



