CHAPTER VI 
THE EFFECT OF MODERATE QUANTITIES OF ALCOHOL 
ON EFFICIENCY 
Introduction—The Influence of Alcohol on Physical Efficiency— 
The Influence of Alcohol on Unskilled Work—The Type- 
writing Test—The Influence of Alcohol on Reflex Acts—The 
Influence of Alcohol on Mental Efficiency—General Con- 
clusions. 
INTRODUCTION. 
For the due understanding of the alcohol problem, 
and for the correct appraisement of the degree of 
importance to be attached to the various measures 
which have been suggested for abating the evils con- 
nected with it, it is necessary to describe at some length 
a portion of the very large amount of experimental 
evidence at our disposal. With much of this evidence 
I shall not attempt to deal, as it does not relate directly 
to our particular problem; and, moreover, it is ad- 
mirably discussed in the book on *“ Alcohol: Its Action 
on the Human Organism,” which was issued by the 
Scientific Advisory Committee of the Central Control 
Board in 1918.* 
And firstly, it is necessary to decide if alcoholic 
liquors, when taken in moderation, have any appre- 
ciable effect on the efficiency of the physical and mental 
work performed in the course of the next few hours. 
Before discussing the problem it is necessary to define 
* Second edition (revised) published in 1924. 
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