The influence of alcohol in the services / by A.M. Davies.

  • Davies, E. M.
Date:
[1908?]
Catalogue details

Licence: In copyright

Credit: The influence of alcohol in the services / by A.M. Davies. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    1/10
    Reprinted from the British Medical Journal, Aug. 8th, 1908. THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL IN THE SERVICES. Being a Payer read in the Section of Navy, Army and Ambulance at the Annual Meeting of the British Medical Association held at Sheffield, July, 1908. By Lieutenant - Colonel A. M. DAVIES, B.A.M.C. Before considering the subject of the influence of alcohol in the army, I think it advisable to define the position that I venture to take up as regards the consumption of alco¬ holic beverages in general; and this entails a reference, however brief, to the physiological aspect of the question. Alcohol is both a food and a poison; that is to say, it can be oxidized within the body into carbon dioxide and water, so producing heat and energy, and therefore acting as a food; while, if taken in excess, after a preliminary and transient stimulating effect, it soon acts as a powerful depressant, and eventually as a paralyser of the nerve centres. As to its use as a food, there are so many other articles of food of equal, and greater, value as a source of heat, and free from the peculiar characteristics of alcohol, that it cannot be considered either necessary or advisable simply from the dietetic point of view. As an adjunct to food, on the other hand, there can be little doubt that it may act beneficially by stimulating the flow of the saliva and gastric juice, in the way of a condiment or appetizer, taken in strict moderation, according to the apostolic injunction; but this applies to the elderly or weakly, or to the sick, not to the healthy nor to the young and vigorous, such as compose the naval and military forces, whose case we are now considering. For the healthy young adult, it must be admitted, or asserted, that alcohol is in no way, and under no circumstances, a necessity ; perfect health and vigour of body and mind can be maintained without any indul¬ gence whatever in alcohol in any shape or form. [413/08]