l to lifting 15.8 tons one foot, and in the last two days
did extra work to the amount of 24 tons lifted as far.

"The period of rest for the heart was shortened, though,
perhaps, not to such an extent as would be inferred from the
number of beats, for each contraction was sooner over. The
heart, on the fifth and sixth days after alcohol was left off,
and, apparently at the time when the last traces of alcohol were
eliminated, showed in the sphygmographic tracing signs of
unusual feebleness; and, perhaps, in consequence of this, when
the brandy quickened the heart again, the tracings showed a more
rapid contraction of the ventricles, but less power than in the
alcoholic period. The brandy acted, in fact, on a heart whose
nutrition had not been perfectly restored."

Richardson quotes these experiments of Parkes and Wollowicz as if he
agrees with them that increased heart-beat must of necessity mean
increased work done by the heart. Dr. Nathan S. Davis, Dr. Newell
Martin, Dr. A. B. Palmer, and some other investigators, show
conclusively that mere increased frequency of beat above the natural
standard is no evidence of increased force or efficiency in the
circulation.

"The more frequent beats under the influence of alcohol
constitute no exception to the general rule, for while the heart
beats more frequently, its influence on the vasomotor nerves
causes dilatation of the peripheral and systemic blood-vessels,
as proved by the pulse-line written by the sphygmograph, which
more than counterbalances the supposed increased action of the
heart. The truth is, that under the influence of alcohol in the
blood the systolic action of the heart loses in sustained force
in direct proportion to its increase in frequency, until, by
simply increasing the proportion of alcohol, the heart stops in
diastole, as perfectly paralyzed as are the coats of the smaller
vessels throughout the system. This was clearly demonstrated by
the experiments of Professor Martin of Johns Hopkins University,
to determine the effects of different proportions of alcohol on
the action of the heart of the dog; and those of Drs. Sidney
Ringer and H. Sainsbury, to determine the relative strength of
different alcohols as indicated by their influence on the heart
of the frog. Professor Martin states that blood containing 1/4
per cent. by vol