160 THE ALCOHOL PROBLEM 
as a rule, in process of emptying most of its contents 
into the small intestine, and half an hour may mean all 
the difference between a fairly full stomach and a nearly 
empty one. We shall see that such a change of con- 
dition may more than double the influence of the 
alcohol on muscular co-ordination and on mental 
processes. | 
In all the experiments to be described, unless special 
mention is made to the contrary, we were careful to 
take our experimental dose either (a) with or directly 
after food, or (J) at least three hours after the last meal 
had been finished. It is probable that the average 
person who eats three substantial meals in the course 
of the day, and a light afternoon tea in addition, retains 
the food in the stomach for about the three hours 
mentioned, though the exceptional individuals who 
make a habit of taking only one or two meals a day, 
and these of a more substantial character, retain their 
food for a longer time. 
Tue INFLUENCE OF FooDp ON THE ALCOHOL EFFECT. 
The first three series of experiments to be described* 
were made at the instance of the Central Control Board, 
and were discussed and approved by its Scientific 
Advisory Committee. Two of the series were, in fact, 
made by members of this committee. Dr. W. C. 
Sullivan made sets of experiments on himself and two 
skilled typists, each lasting three to six weeks. Typing 
tests were carried out four times a day, sometimes 
without alcohol, sometimes with alcohol taken on an 
empty stomach, and sometimes with alcohol taken at 
* Cf. Med. Res. Co. Report No. 34, 1919.