drank water only; then of the beats during successive
periods in which alcohol was taken in increasing quantities. Thus step
by step they measured the precise action of alcohol on the heart, and
thereby the precise primary influence induced by alcohol. Their results
are stated by themselves as follows:--

"The average number of beats of the heart in 24 hours (as
calculated from eight observations made in 14 hours), during
the first, or water period, was 106,000; in the earlier
alcoholic period it was 127,000, or about 21,000 more; and in
the later period it was 131,000, or 25,000 more.

"The highest of the daily means of the pulse observed during the
first, or water period, was 77.5; but on this day two
observations are deficient. The next highest daily mean was 77
beats.

"If, instead of the mean of the eight days, or 73.57, we compare
the mean of this one day; viz. 77 beats per minute, with the
alcoholic days, so as to be sure not to over-estimate the action
of the alcohol, we find:--

"On the 9th day, with one fluid ounce of alcohol, the heart beat
4,300 times more.

On the 10th day, with two fluid ounces, 8,172 times more.

On the 11th day, with four fluid ounces, 12,960 times more.

On the 12th day, with six fluid ounces, 20,672 times more.

On the 13th day, with eight fluid ounces, 23,904 times more.

On the 14th day, with eight fluid ounces, 25,488 times more.

But as there was ephemeral fever on the 12th day, it is right to
make a deduction, and to estimate the number of beats in that
day as midway between the 11th and 13th days, or 18,432.
Adopting this, the mean daily excess of beats during the
alcoholic days was 14,492, or an increase of rather more than 13
per cent.

The first day of alcohol gave an excess of 4 per cent., and the
last of 23 per cent.; and the mean of these two gives almost the
same percentage of excess as the mean of the six days.

Admitting that each beat of the heart was as strong during the
alcoholic period as in the water period (and it was really more
powerful), the heart on the last two days of alcohol was doing
one-fifth more work.

"Adopting the lowest estimate which has been given of the daily
work of the heart; viz. as equal to 12.2 tons lifted one foot,
the heart during the alcoholic period, did daily work excess
equa