The Action of Alcohol on Man

Abstract

IN this book, Prof. E.H. Starling and his collaborators, Dr. R. Hutchison, Sir Frederick Mott, and Prof. Raymond Pearl, have described the action of alcohol on the body both in health and disease. Whereas most of the book is taken up with a scientific but popular discussion of the problem, Prof. Starling has come to certain definite conclusions, on the basis of the facts described, which will cause comment and possibly opposition, and these will be dealt with first. He states that “moderate quantities might be taken throughout adult existence without interfering with bodily health or efficiency, and are sufficient to obtain beneficial results and to produce the increased pleasure in living which are the objects of the employment of alcoholic beverages.” It is important to add that 35 c.c. is regarded as a “moderate “quantity of alcohol. This is contained in half a bottle of light wine, or in a pint and a half of ale, or in three ounces of whisky (30 under proof). This “moderate” quantity may be drunk with impunity, according to Prof. Starling, after the work of the day is finished. It will diminish a man's power of muscular co-ordination and other complex processes, but will not influence his behaviour or his powers of comporting himself with propriety as a member of society. On the other hand, if a man drinks alcoholic beverages during the daytime, he ought to take such quantities as will not materially influence his judgment and other mental processes, and in this case, not more than 12 c.c. of alcohol, in the form of a glass of beer or a wineglass of claret, should be taken at lunch. These are some of Prof. Starling's conclusions.

The Action of Alcohol on Man.

By Prof. E. H. Starling. With Essays on (1) Alcohol as a Medicine, by Dr. Robert Hutchison; (2) Alcohol and its Relations to Problems in Mental Disorders, by Sir Frederick W. Mott; (3) Alcohol and Mortality, by Prof. Raymond Pearl. Pp. vii+291. (London: Longmans, Green and Co., 1923.) 12s. 6d. net.