362 



Messrs. Parkes and Wollowicz on the Effect of [May 19, 



VIII. "Experiments on the effect of Alcohol (Ethyl Alcohol) on the 

 Human Body." By E. A. Parkes, M.D., F.R.S., Professor 

 of Hygiene in the Army Medical School, and Count Cypriax 

 Wollowicz, M.D., Assistant Surgeon, Army Medical Staff. 

 Received April 4, 1870. 



As a knowledge of the physiological effects of alcohol on the human 

 body is a matter of great importance, and as previous observations leave 

 some points in doubt, we took the opportunity which the willingness and 

 zeal of a very intelligent healthy soldier afforded us of investigating this 

 subject. 



In order not to lengthen the paper, we have given only our own ob- 

 servations, without referring to those of others. 



The plan of observation was as follows : — For twenty-six days the man 

 remained on a diet precisely similar as to food and times of meals in every 

 respect, except that for the first eight days he took only water (in the shape 

 of coffee, tea, and simple water) ; for the next six days he added to this diet 

 rectified spirit, in such proportion that he took, in divided quantities, on 

 the first day one fluid ounce ( = 28*4 cub. centims.) of absolute alcohol ; on 

 the second day two fluid ounces ; on the third day four ounces, and on the 

 fifth and sixth days eight ounces on each day. He then returned to 

 water for six days, and then for three days took on each day half a bottle 

 ( = 12 ounces, or 341 c. c.) of fine brandy, containing 48 per cent, of 

 alcohol. Then for three days more he returned to water. 



There were thus five periods, viz. of water- drinking, alcohol, water, 

 brandy, water. 



Before commencing the experiments, the man, who had been accustomed 

 to take one or two pints of beer daily, abstained altogether from any alco- 

 holic liquid for ten days. 



This man, F. B., is twenty-eight years of age, 5 feet 6 inches in height, 

 and his usual weight is 134 or 136 lbs. He is finely formed, with little 

 fat, and with largely developed powerful muscles ; he has a clean smooth 

 skin, a clear bright eye, good teeth, and is in all respects in perfect health. 

 He is very intelligent, and assisted us so much that we are quite certain 

 that there has not been a mistake even for a minute in the time of taking 

 the temperatures and passing the urine. As he had always been accus- 

 tomed to smoke, we thought it proper to allow him half an ounce of 

 tobacco daily, for fear the deprivation of it might disturb his health. 



In addition to the experiments recorded in this paper, we tested the 

 accuracy of his vision, and the muscular power before and during the use 

 of alcohol ; but as we could not detect any difference, we do not give the 

 experiment?. 



Our object being to test the dietetic effects of alcohol, we gave it in 

 small and large quantities, but avoided producing any extreme symptoms 

 of narcotism. 



