--- title: Improvement Era description: Monthly periodical of the Mormon church, 1897 onward. This library holds the issues of November 1897 to December 1930. authors: - Oaks, L. Weston collections: - periodicals tags: - magazine - improvement-era periodical: Improvement Era volume: 30 number: 6 published: 1927-04 publisher: Young Men’s Mutual Improvement Associations publisher_place: Salt Lake City language: en type: magazine reference: "Oaks, L. Weston, “Alcohol and Humanity,” *Improvement Era* 30, no. 6 (April 1927): 513–518." source: url: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3006unse transcription: Transcribed from the Internet Archive scan of each issue (the item for each issue is named in the issue's own source); unnumbered advertising leaves are omitted, printed page numbers are kept as page markers. identifier: improvementera3006unse start_page: 513 end_page: 518 rights: status: public-domain basis: US publication 1930 or earlier (published 1927-04) source: https://archive.org/details/improvementera3006unse publication_year: 1927 note: The Internet Archive item metadata carries a blanket "© Copyright by Intellectual Reserve, Inc." notice. The library owner judged it inapplicable because this issue was published in 1927, before 1931; a scan-level notice does not restore copyright. --- # Alcohol and Humanity ALCOHOL AND HUMANITY By L. Weston Oaks, M. D. II Alcohol's Action Upon the Nervous System of Man When we speak of the nervous system, we are directing our attention to the most delicate, highly specialized and sensitively at- tuned structure known to human intelligence. Man's nervous system is the citadel of his soul. Through it alone can his spirit make contact with and learn to comprehend any of the phenomena of mortal life. Yet he often ignores its gentle complaints against abuse, until out- raged Nature cries to him in terms he must heed. Strange indeed that, possessing so priceless a treasure, we should be so ignorant of its workings, and so unmindful of our welfare, that it must in dire necessity thrust its demands upon us through pain, death or disorder of the mind! There are very few of us, who, boasting ownership of a beautiful platinum and gold watch, would go about subjecting it to sundry powerful chemicals, merely to enjoy whatever sensation marring of its beauty and action might arouse in us. We should unhesitatingly remand to institutional care any person who deliberately poured sulphuric acid upon the wiring and ignition units of his new automobile just to hear it sputter and see it smoke. Yet many of us who consider ourselves sane and normal willingly subject our bodies to far more imbecilic assaults, in our blind search for what we are pleased in our puerile minds to call pleasure. Alcohol is a powerful poison which does serious damage to delicate nerve tissues. Upon this system of the human body it wreaks its worst effects. In former days, observers believed alcohol to be a stimulant, because it produced increase of pulse rate, flushing of the face, as well as unnatural talkativeness and vivacity. Today we recog- nize all of these as indications of depression or narcosis. More rapid pulse rate, in this instance, results from some lowering of blood pres- sure and from depression of the vagus nerve — controller of the heart's rate. Flushing, as has already been explained, occurs through lowered activity in a part of that complex regulating mechanism of the blood vessels. For a time, it was more difficult to understand apparent livening of the mind and loosening of the tongue, in acute poisoning by alcohol, unless it did for a time act as a stimulant to the nervous system. Then came clearer comprehension of the delicate operation of checks and balances maintained in natural function of nerve tissues. Upon the basis of this knowledge, clear conception of the seeming in- consistency was easy. It is now commonly recognized that alcohol, by depressing certain highly specialized structures releases the brakes, as it were, and sets free frisky impulses. These nerves of inhibition, as they are known, normally restrain the individual from obeying quickly every trivial impulse that arises in his consciousness. In other words, 514 IMPROVEMENT ERA they make actions and words subject to such good judgment as the person is possessed of; and when they are barred from the field, wise discrimination is no longer possible. Dr. Percy G. Stiles, in an Amer- ican Journal of Public Hygiene editorial, fittingly treats this situation as follows: "We have now to speak of alcohol as a 'mental alterative.' The term has been chosen, rather than 'cerebral stimulant' for reasons that may appear. Whatever else is claimed, the effect chiefly sought in drinking is upon the brain. This effect is generally, but inaccurately, described as stimulation. But a stimulant is best described as an agent which increases working capacity. * * * A true stimulant for the brain should increase the power of sustained mental attention and consecutive orderly thinking. Few would claim for alcohol such a property as this. The word 'dissipation' which we use for intemperance, is a very precise one. Scattering, rather than con- centration of thoughts, is the mental habit from first to last. Perhaps a man may be at his best socially when he is not at his best logically. There is a degree of attractiveness in the workings of a slightly inconsequent mind. We are amused by unexpected associations. A little alcohol lessens self- consciousness, with the result that the subject speaks without reserve, and without confining himself to what is important. Conversation is diluted with trivialities. We may admit that this is enlivening. But how much the animating potency of wine at banquets is over-estimated! There is a simple reason for its undeserved reputation; and this is found in lowered standards of judgment on the part of those who listen to what is said. The ready laughter and applause do not indicate brilliancy on the part of the speaker nearly so often as readiness to be amused on the part of the listeners. In the midst of such company, the total abstainer feels an amaze- ment verging on disgust, as he observes the demonstrations that greet speeches which, in themselves, are wholly insane and commonly in bad taste. How feeble are the sallies, when recalled in the light of common day!" Dr. Hughlings Jackson, an eminent English authority upon nervous and mental diseases, has said: "A drunken man notably exhibits the abstract and brief chronicle of insanity, going through its successive phases in a short space of time." In other words, Dr. Jackson means that, under alcohol's in- fluence, a man shows the various phases of the disordered mind; and that they change rapidly from one to the other, as succeeding stages of the poisoning come on. Early he shows the brisk flow of ideas, trans- lated into speech and action expressive of self-confidence. The indi- vidual is moved to believe and make known that he is a personage of some importance in the universe. Coincidently, there is a rapid diminution of self-criticism and judgment. A small amount of the drug is sufficient to produce these results, as it notably affects earliest and most profoundly those mental and spiritual qualities that are of the highest order. That is to say, the ability of a mental giant for profound thinking, the artist's power to conceive and create beautiful expressions of the infinite, a great composer's talent for rising above mundane things and plucking from Eternity musical creations that touch human hearts forever — all of these are highest expressions of that God-like faculty, the mind. They are possible only in those who receive inspiration from on high; and are effectually cut off by any agent which dulls perception, obstructs logic or impairs the utmost ALCOHOL AND HUMANITY 515 co-ordination of all mental pathways. Alcohol accomplishes all three of these; and insulates the individual from his ability to rise above the animal level. Human records offer little evidence of in- spiring things accomplished by one under the influence of any drug. Some have it that Robert Burns gave homage to his cup as the source of his poetic inspiration; but there seems nothing approaching proof that he actually, wrote any of his poems while under its influence. At the same time, it is more than probable that, had this brilliant mind been inspired by other factors notably lacking in his life, he might have authored expressions of a much higher order than he could as it was. Alcohol effectually cuts off the higher centers of man's mind, leaving the reflex, or purely animal part of the nervous system, in virtual control. Under such conditions, baser passions and emotions are quick to flame up a>nd direct his conduct. From one possible of Godhood, a man descends in alcohol to a bestial brute of lower level than animals of the field. Early in the progress of the poisoning, ability to carry out finely co-ordinated muscular acts is abolished. Dr. H. M. Vernon, of England, reports in the British Journal of Inebriety a series of experi- ments which strongly indicate that the taking of alcohol decidedly lowers the power to carry out skilled muscular acts such as typewriting; and that it lessens the individual's accuracy. An English investigating board, appointed to gather material along this line, cited some studies carried out with Alpine mountain climbers. It was found that ad- ministration of moderate doses of alcohol, before beginning and dur- ing the climb, markedly reduced sureness and accuracy of muscular action. The experienced climber was lowered to the beginner's level. Movements were badly directed or ill-judged. In the average, hard- ened mountain man, it was found that a dose of one ounce tended to undo all effects of training, during the time of its effect. From Professor M. A. Rosanoff, quoting some work of Dr. Emil Kraepelin, we read: "Moderate amounts of alcohol taken with a meal effect a very con- siderable lowering of capacity for doing muscular work. The widespread notion that moderate drinking with meals helps a laborer to do his work is false. Moderate drinking reduces considerably an artisan's efficiency. Its effect is cumulative, and the losses caused by it increase as time goes on." That this reduction in muscular power and co-ordination, or control, is due to the effects of alcohol upon the nerves that initiate and govern muscle action is borne out by other experimental study, directed toward learning of its influence upon reflex movements. Drs. Bennett and Dodge, in the journal of The American Medi- cal Association, record results of timing reflex actions in people treat- ed with small amounts of alcohol. Their study seems to reveal a precise and undeniable foundation for the belief that alcohol promotes the likelihood of accidents. It is a well known fact that our first response to sudden demands, in the face of the unexpected, hinges 516 IMPROVEMENT ERA greatly upon reflex action, supervised by the brain. Of course, this means such action is not wholly reflex; but the accuracy and the pre- cision with which we judge and perform under such conditions of sudden stress are dependent upon clear-cut, unimpeded, automatic cooperation of many groups of nerves and muscles. Ingestion of alcohol was found to interefere with this in two ways. First, there was a decided delay in reflex action; and two separate sets of in- vestigators have found the speed of response decreased ten per cent. This, however, varies for different groups of nerves. Finger movements are delayed nine per cent; velocity of eye movements is lessened eleven per cent; and speech reflex is three per cent slower than normal. The second phase of alteration in response is a decrease in its extent, which has been estimated at forty-eight per cent for some major reflexes. Consideration of the part played in our great number of automobile accidents scarcely leaves any room for doubt as to the validity of these statements. Speaking from an every-day medical standpoint, Dr. Brickley, in The Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, decides that: Alcohol causes accidents. Alcohol obscures diagnosis, in case of illness. Alcohol increases danger of infection in injury. Alcohol retards process of tissue repair in wound healing. Alcohol increases mortality from accidents. Death by acute alcohol poisoning results from paralysis of that brain centre which controls respiration or breathing. It has been generally estimated that when the blood content of grain alcohol reaches six parts in one thousand, fatal consequence is certain. This means for an average-sized individual a does of about fourteen ounces of absolute alcohol — an amount rarely taken within the time neces- sary to produce such concentration. Although death from acute poisoning is comparatively uncommon, practically every individual who becomes intoxicated does enter a state of unconsciousness from which it is impossible to arouse him, during a number of hours. In such a condition, a gap has been created by the drug between his mind and his surroundings; his perceptions are temporarily paralyzed; he loses all control of his muscles so that he can no longer stand, and usually this extends to include the urinary bladder, making him — to all except those whose faculties are burdened like his own — an object of abhorrence and disgust. Repeated incurrence of such a dissolved state of mind and nervous system eventually brings a sure result. Delirium tremens, so called, is a most dramatic evidence of this; and is the first stage of permanent mental dissolution. In it there is an active delirium, in which the affected one sees various crawling, fear-inspiring creatures, invisible to the unintoxicated. These hallucinations lead to trembling, anxiety and mental distress, with profuse sweating. Having attained such a condition, the individual is ripe for institutional care; and many of them are never again fit to carry on their every-day lives without supervision. ALCOHOL AND HUMANITY 517 A great deal has been said upon both sides of the question as to whether alcohol is a predisposing cause of ordinary types of insan- ity. A survey of available literature upon the subject impresses one that those who rapidly oppose such an idea mostly fall into one of three classes. They are: (1) The group who cling fiercely to the bottle, and loudly resent anything that threatens their security therein; (2) those yellow journalists' who berate, as a matter of principle, any at- tempt to lift humanity above the Stygian mire, and (3) individuals deriving monetary gains from the degradation of their weaker fel- lows. Strictly opposed to these groups, are the earnest scientific men, who are seeking after truth; and who desire the best for humanity. Dr. Emil Kraepelin, as a result of his very extensive study of the subject, says emphatically that alcohol is leading civilized humanity upon the road to degeneracy. Dr. D. T. Crothers, Superintendent of Walnut Lodge Hospital gathered the figures of European and American in- vestigators as to what percentages of undesirable human circumstances exist as a result of alcoholic abuse. Statistics from different localities vary widely; and his summary was as follows: Insanity, 10% to 60%. Pauperism, 30% to 80%. Criminality, 60% to 90%. Idiocy, 30% to 70%. Certainly these figures are significant; and, granting that the most conservative is the high limit, we still have grave and sufficient cause to consider this drug as predatory upon human life. Associated with mental degenerative changes from alcohol is alcoholic neuritis and alcoholic paralysis.. These are usually slow to come on; but once acquired, they are not easly gotten rid of. None of them ever get well so long as any alcohol is taken; and even with the best of treatment, half of them shortly die. Alcohol and Long Life Any discussion of alcohol and human welfare must eventually reach the question of longevity. Like other propositions, loudly and voluminously attacked and defended, this still holds power to excite animosity in certain quarters. Doubtless personal opinion has ex- tended largely into the mooting of it. Newspapers have played a considerable role by heralding loudly the few instances of persons who have attained advanced years, in spite of alcoholic libations. As usual, publicity to the rare and unusual cases serves to obscure, for many of us, the obvious legions whose vitality has not served to preserve them against their abuses. There are always extraordinary instances to stand out and be shouted over; and which serve to distract our attention from the true issue. In this paper, we are not interested in those few who become centenarians despite daily drug- ging of their finer sensibilities. Our concern lies with the countless thousands whose health and lives have been, and are being, im- 518 IMPROVEMENT ERA poverishcd as well as shortened by ignorance and appetite. Laboratory experimentation is not feasible to settle this phase of the question; but there is an unbiased source of information in the statistics so carefully gathered and preserved by life insurance companies. Long experience has shown undeniably that individuals who tamper with alcoholic beverages are poorer risks for insurance. A committee appointed by the English Central Control Board of The Liquor Traffic, for the purpose of investigating questions per- taining to the use of alcoholic beverages, states as a part of its con- clusions: "(1) That the death rate is lower and the expectation of life longer in the section of an insurance society admitting only total abstainers from alcohol than in the section admitting those who are not abstainers from alcohol. (2) That the statistics of mortality are more favorable from abstainers than are the returns from other societies making no such dis- tinctions, and which issue policies chiefly to persons of a more prosperous social class." Dr. Ebenezer, in the American Underwriter's Magazine and Review for September, 1909, states that life insurance statistics show twenty-three per cent less mortality in abstainers than in non-ab- stainers. Insurance companies prefer risks who do not use alcohol. In Summary A study of alcohol's effects upon the human body reveals un- deniable evidence that the drug is derogatory to our best welfare: that its use precludes our enjoyment of the highest intellectual, spiritual, physical or social life. Then why the great fight over its use? That tremendous profits accruing frOm its sale stimulate a gigantic propa- ganda to keep the question alive is undoubted. However, this does not seem sufficient explanation of why humans persist in its con- sumption, when they well know it is detrimental. There, of course, we see the result of its habit-forming potency; and are made to realize our responsibility in acquainting our boys and girls with the truth concerning it. Many agencies have served in casting about alcoholism a cloak of romance to hide its stark frightfulness. And when in- dividual experience has given a^ man power to see through the fabric of deception, he frequently has become so fettered by his craving for the drug that he no longer has physical stamina to resist its whisperings. Education, of the proper, truth-dealing sort, offers our only hope where legislation has failed. For each individual must be con- vinced in his own heart. Then there will be no alcohol problem. Dr. Kraepelin, after deeply studying the subject, tells us that alcohol impairs every human faculty; and that the higher, the more complex the human faculty, the more pronounced is the effect of alcohol upon it. He also maintains that the effects of alcohol are cumulative. That is, its continuous use, even in moderate quantities, impairs the abilities at a rapidly increasing rate. Provo, Utah.