The Waterbury Democrat., 1933-02-11
SOME BEER FACTS ABOUT PHYSIOLOGICAL ACTION

Teacher seeks scientifically correct data (by the way, always sound your first 8 long when you data teacher) about the effects of alcohol Her pupils are from nine to twelve years old | and they eagerly grasp my clear. simple state ments about these health questions The teach CT incloses clipping from the column of journalist whose writings on politics are schol- arly, and she says his statement in confusing
 The clipping deals with legalization Of beor Tho writer first mentions advantages that might come from a new market for grain, em- ployment in the brewing industry, transporta- ton of raw materials and product, new con- struction, etc. and then he steps boldly over into tho province of the physoIogist and drops this pearl like q brick, into the pool of popular Knowledge
 Moreover beer would be q great help in
 fighting off the mental depression which
 afflicts great multitudes bored and discour-
 aged and 1t is an unnecessary cruelty to
 withhold 1t in the winter which we face.
 No doubt beer explains the blythe and care- free spirit of the working classes in England. over there a little gathering of men and wom- en out of work and suffering from privation while away a pleasant hour quaflng 0 few pints of ale at pub, and when everybody Is con- tended and gay they all go out and put on 8 bit of q riot to cheer everybody up. There be- ing no audible snickering among tho audience the journalist turned physiologst pro tenn con- tinues:
 Beer is nourishing, consollng and warm
 ing, and should be made available as soon
 as possible
 This is 3.75 per cent true Certainly beer Is nourshlng. So Is skim milk. Skim milk Is at least as warming as beer is. As for consolation, if that means drowning your troubles for the tme being, beer Is tho stuff If 1t means en- toying the comforts of life milk Is the choice. A can of milk would be infinitely more precious a boon to a man shipwrecked on u barren island than can of beer. But can of beer would more effectively bcnumb mans higher sem abilities and feelings If he has made a mess of hls life and wants to hide away from his own conscience.
 According to analyses made by Chicago chemist (Robert WahD and often quoted by proponents or advocates of "beer and light winos," beer and milk compare as follows:
 Carbohydrate, beer 6 per cent milk 4.25 per cont; protein, beer, 0.b per cent, milk 3.26 per cont; mineral, beer 0.2 DOT cont, milk o.7 per cent; fat, beer % per cent, milk 4.05 per cent; water, beer 90 per cent, milk S7'5O per cent.
 Obviously beer Is less nourshing than milk Whole milk yields 325 calories to the pint. Skim milk Chat k. the part left after tho cream has been skinned or separately yields 17O calories to the pint. Beer yields 245 calories to the pint, assuming the alcohol is oxidized, netabolized, utilized as fuel or energy. It is questionable whether the half ounce of alcohol in pint of 3.75 per cent beer can be so utilized. If alco- holic odor can be noted in the breath that proves tho individual has consumed q greater quantity of alcohol than his metabolism can burn.
 Tho false sense of warming up which alcohol produces is flushing of the surface, from dc- precision of tho vasoconstrictor nerves which normally maintain the tone of surface crcula- ton. The flushing Is at tho expense of warmth to tho internal organs. That is why polar OK. plorers and others who must endure severe ex- posture always leave alcohol severely alone.
 QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
 Swimming After Eating
 In behalf of Eighth Grade Home Hygiene class l wrlte to ask your opinion about swim- ming directly after eating. Please state also what causes cramps. (II. Al
 Answer--Any athlete knows 1t Is better not to eat a very hearty meal Just before race or n ut nhVupnt me ming Is such m effort. But 1t is all right to go in swimming right after light lunch if you wish
 Open Mouth
 In your Belly Breathing exercise you advise to breathe in through the wide open mouth. Is there any special merit in doing so? Have al. ways been taught that one should breathe through the nose and keep the mouth closed, G. SD
 Answer-AthleteS running q race or swim. ming or making any strenuous effort breathe through tho open mouth because ono can get moro air more quickly so 1T you arc quite sure you inhale us easily and freely through the nose when practicing Belly Breathing. 1t is all right.
 Good Health Sense
 You teach that the process of elimination Is not a conscious one, and that if we stop inter- fcring with it and attempting to "rcgulate" 1t, it will regulate itself. The thought occurs to me regulates or adjusts itself to our needs if we stop worrying about N.-(L. M) Answer-Wcll- or hum. Brother. I detest that word elimination" when 50 used, for t plays right Into the hands of the quack and tho nostrum trade. toach only elementary physiology; tho entire digestive process from the instant food is swallowed to tho expulsion of the residue from tho intestine is an automatic process. not controlled by the consciousness or tho will. but easily retarded or deranged by emotions such as anger. fear, worry Instead oi | the morbid old advice to keep the bowels | open and the head clear" should advise you | to keep the mind off the bowels. Your thought about diet is all right. provided faif variety l and choice of foods is available. ] Copyright. John F Dille Co)