68 HUMAN BIOLOGY 



possible. Men never become drunkards, paupers, and crim- 

 inals by taking the nutrients, starch, sugar, fat, or protein, 

 nor does the taste for any one kind of food become uncontrol- 

 lable, as is so often the case with alcohol. " Till he has tried 

 it, no one can be sure whether he can control his appetite 

 or not. When he has ascertained the fact, it is often too 

 late. The child should be taught to avoid alcohol because 

 it is dangerous to him. The only certain safety for the young 

 lies in total abstinence." 



86. Effects of small and large quantities of alcohol. — 



The effects of alcohol on the body depend very largely upon 

 the quantity taken; if the amount is small, alcohol may 

 possibly be regarded as a source of energy, and hence in a 

 hmited sense, as a food ; in larger amounts it increases tem- 

 porarily the activity of the organs of the body, and so it 

 seems to become a stimulant; if still larger quantities are 

 taken, the narcotic effects of alcohol are shown in complete 

 insensibihty ; and finally, a sufficient amount may be con- 

 sumed to poison the organs and cause death. No one who 

 begins the use of alcohol expects to take such an amount that 

 it will act as a poison, or even like a narcotic. There is, 

 however, a constant danger that he will do so. 



87. Professor Hodge's experiments with dogs. — During 

 the years 1895 to 1900, Professor Hodge of Clark Univer- 

 sity, Worcester, Mass., carried on some very instructive 

 experiments upon dogs. He secured four spaniel puppies 

 (Fig. 23), all of which were born on Washington's Birthday, 

 1895 ; the two males were brothers, and the females sisters. 

 Professor Hodge carefully watched the four for nearly two 

 months before beginning his experiments, in order to pick 

 out the two most vigorous animals ; these he named " Tipsy " 

 and " Bum," and then put in with their chief meal each day 



