THE EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON MUSCULAR EXERTION.

Evening Star, Issue 3196, 19 May 1873, Page 3

THE EFFECT OF ALCOHOL ON MUSCULAR EXERTION.

Dr Parkes, F.R.S., of the Natley Hos pital, is pursuing his inquiries into the effect of diet and exercise on the bodily condition, and on the elimination of certain products from the animal economy. His last experiments were made op a soldia’, a >cotchman, powerfully built, and tdiirty years of age The exercise was walking aud digging ; and anyone who has handled a spade knows that to dig for nine hours a day is not easy work. The experiments wt r-- tont'micd during six teen, days, and were brought to a close with trials of the effort of brandy. After drink ing four ounces of brandy he fancied “lie could do a great deal of work, but when he came to do it, he found he was less oapabß

than he thought.” After a second dose hh inability to work was increased, and ho Inr palpitation of the heart; and a third dos« taken eight hours after the first, complete!; neutralised his working powers. Re threw down his spade, and, being a pood runner 'riel to take running exorcise, but was un •,! h*, through failure of breath. Dr Parke* observes:—“ !ho man’s own judgment a' the end of the trial was, that he preferred loing the work without the brandy ; am‘ when asked for his reason he mentioned

the inerrased thirst, the heaviness in thr evening, and the fluttering at the heart.” \nd commenting on the case, the doctor adds “As the effect of labor alone is to augment the strength and frequency of the heart’s action, it would appear obviously improper to act on the heart etill more by alcohol.”