Page:American Journal of Sociology Volume 3.djvu/25

 THE SOCIAL VALUE OF THE S.I.

experiments conducted in the Yale laborator i \

reported in Nitturc, would seem to indicate that \vl. e quantL of alcohol used is not in excess of 2 per cent, c ,: the digestive- fluid, digestive activity is aided by its presence. "Whisky can

FIG. 6.

be considered to impede the solvent action of the gastric juices only when taken immoderately and in intoxicating quantities." It is believed that a laruv part of the ordinarv beer drinking contributes less than 2 per cent, in alcohol to the whole diges- tivr fluid but the proof is almost inaccessible. Dr. Keeley declares that "in the laboring man a certain (juantitv of alcohol will preserve the body weight \\itli the same foot pounds of labor, and with a given quantity of food; and if those other things are equal the absen< e of the alcohol will require more food, or a decrease either in the labor or in the body weight." Hr contends that its action is not to build up tissue but to prevent its breaking down. It has an inhibit. TV aetion on cell metab- olism." He adds : " I understand that these things are matters