The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1899-08-03
Prof. Atwnter's Experiments and the
Tcnching in Megnrd 20 1t In Schools


Teaching in Regard TO 1t In schools
The recent experiments Of Prof. Atwater
are of great interest to Psychologists and
chemists, since they throw much light
upon one of the doubtful quesuo of
physiological chemistry or pharmacology,
that of the metabolism of alcohol in the
body.
1t Is a mistake, however, to think, as
some people apparently do, that the re-
suit of these experiments should change
the teaching in the schools in regard to
the use of alcohol from a hygienic point
of view. The schools teach that the use
of alcoholic liquors as a beverage is not
justihable under the laws of hygiene The
results of Prof Atwater's experiments do
not contradict this teaching.
These experiments merely show that the
body can derive some energy from alco-
hol. This does not in Itself entitle alco>
hol to be placed among the food sub
stances in The hygienic sense of the term,
which is the sense in which the schools
and people in general use the term food.
If ii did. such a violent poison as musca-
rine, the active principle Of the poisonous
plants of the mushroom family, would
have TO be classed with the foods, since
it also Is oxidized in the holy with Hber-
alton Of It's contained energy.
TO class a substance among the foods
we must know that the'sum total effects
of its use are beneficial TO the body. Mus
carine Is not a food because it's poisonous
effects offset the benefit of the energy
which it lberates. Alcohol has poisonous
effects a. Prof, Atwator himself admits.
The question as to whether it can be con-
sidered as food depends entirely upon
whether its beneficial effects are greater
than its poisonous effects. Prof. Atwater's
experiments do not prove this. Until this
is proven the burden OF the proof is
against those who would include alcohol
IN the list of food substances. For scien-
tiic experiments so far experiments upon
large bodies of men in the ordinary con-
dtions and vlcisstudes of life, In the
armies and in exploring expeditions where
labor and exposure have to be endured,
indicate that when the regular "modera-
ton quantity of alcohol is taken the
harmful effects offsets the beneficial ones
and that the drlnker is made less fit rather
than more fit to work
And stronger stll is the reason against
speaking, as Prof Atwater does of alco-
hOl as food In the same sense as sugar.
For people generally Will interpret this
to mean that il is food equally to be
recomme nded with sugar and ordinary
hygienic foods. And this. as Prof. at
water viii agree, is an entirely false idea
and one calculated to do much harm. For
while we get our energy from sugar With
out risk of poisoning, TO get energy from
alcohol we run great risk of poisoning.
and 10 get any amount. such as would be
necessary to support life in ordinary con-
ditIons, we must take enough alcohol to
poison ourselves seriously. (By poison is
meant some harmful effect upon the func-
lions of the body)
The above dangers in the use Of alcohol.
also the possibility Of the formation of the
alcohol habit. make its use as a beverage
unjustihabe even IL there were no other
arguments against it,
1t IS unfortunate that the alcohol ques-
ton has been brought upon this technical
ground The question of the hygenic
status of the use OF alcohol does not de-
pend upon the technical question of the
definitions Of a food and a poison. The
controversy upon this point has produced
statements upon both sides which have
given rise in the public mind 10 great mis-
conception of the truth.
Both sides IN this technical controversy
will agree IN regard to the main question,
that children should be taught to look
upon alcoholic liquors as dangerous sub
stances, to be avoided from considerations
Of health and general welfare.
And in the present light Of our expert
ence and of scientific investigation, the
school books must continue to exclude al
cohol from the list OF substances desirable
as foods. and to teach the avoidance of
this substance as good hygenic rule.
II. +. Hewos NJ. d.
Boston, Mass, July s. 1899