Immense quantities of alcohol are consumed by the human family in such beverages as koumis, kephir, beers, wines, and the strong drinks, whiskey, brandy, gin, and rum, the intemperate drinking of many of which has caused untold degradation and misery. The sentimental and moral considerations that relate to the use of alcohol in all forms have led to absurd and grossly inaccurate teachings concerning its real physiological functions and reactions.

294. Alcohol Is Oxidized In Body

Until the application of exact measurements, it was held that alcohol is largely excreted from the body as such, and performs no useful physiological service. It is now definitely proven that with the moderate use of alcohol only a very small proportion is given off in the breath and urine, perhaps not more than 2 per cent. More than this, it is demonstrated beyond question that alcohol, when taken up to 2½ ounces per day, at least, is almost wholly oxidized, and serves the human organism as a source of energy. Moreover, up to a limited extent, it will replace such nutrients as sugar and starch. When in experiments by Atwater and Benedict 72 grams (about 2½ oz.) of alcohol was substituted for an isodynamic (equivalent in energy) amount of sugar, the results in heat production and body storage were exactly the same.

The figures of the following table1 showing the results of five-day periods of observation of a man in a respiration calorimeter are a convincing demonstration of the foregoing statements: -

Table LIX. Use Of Alcohol

It appears not only that 72 grams of alcohol took the place of 130 grams of sugar, but that the use of protein was not unfavorably affected.

295. Relation To Muscular Effort

It should not be assumed from the above data that alcohol may serve as a direct source of muscular effort. It is true, however, that when in the diet of men at work fat has been replaced by its energy equivalent of alcohol, and the work performed has not changed, the total output of heat has been no greater than on an alcohol-free diet. This may be explained on the ground that the alcohol spared the use of the carbohydrates in some other direction than muscular effort. It should be understood that these conclusions do not apply to the use of alcohol in quantities that are toxic and disturb the normal physiological processes. Nor is it argued that it is desirable or necessary to use alcoholic beverages. Indeed, the advice is rather to let these drinks alone.

1 "Metabolism and Practical Medicine," Von Noorden, Vol. 1, p. 350.

296. Alcohol Not A Necessary Food

It is sometimes ignorantly asserted by individuals who have acquired an alcohol habit that it is a physiological necessity for them. Alcohol is never physiologically necessary for any normal human organism, and in health there is no advantage in its use. The exhilaration due to taking beer and wine or stronger drinks is not an evidence of physiological benefit. Another foolish belief is that alcoholic liquors are a defense against cold. The sensation of warmth following a drink of whiskey is due to an increased flow of blood to the surface of the body. This does not conserve body heat, but rather the reverse. Patent medicines containing alcohol often get a reputation for curative properties when the alleged benefits are nothing more than a temporary exhilaration. Notwithstanding all these errors that are believed, nothing is gained in the way of physiological welfare and temperance by ungrounded assertions as to the dire results of taking a little alcohol into the stomach.