TOO MUCH TO DRINK?

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21807, 12 June 1936, Page 18

TOO MUCH TO DRINK?

PROVING INTOXICATION POLICE TESTS IN ENGLAND There are dozens of drunkenness tests for motorists used by police surgeons in England. They range from extremely simple ones to solving of problems which might easily beat the man who had no head for figures. But over and above the minor ones there arc five important “standard” tests. They are: —

1. The eye test. The suspect’s eyes are subjected to a bright light. If his pupils do not contract, the suspicion of intoxication is increased. 2. The suspect puts his leet together and closes his eyes; then he is asked to touch the point of his nose with the index finger of his left hand. Missing his nose or swaying on the feet suggests drunkenness. 3. Walking. The suspect is asked to walk along a chalk line, or along a floor board, heel to toe. In the middle of his “walk” he is asked to turn around by pivoting on his feet, and continue walking in the opposite direction. Swaying as he turns or the inability to keep on the line indicates that the suspect has probably had too much to drink. 4. The pulse test. The pulse is taken. Normal pulse is between 76 and 84 beats a minute for an adult. Under the influence of alcohol it may rise to 140 a minute. J 5. The knee reflex. The suspect sits down and crosses his knees and undergoes the ordinary knee reflex test, which consists of tapping the leg sharply just below or above the knee and watching whether the foot jerks. Serious criticism has been made of the major tests. For example, it is pointed out that the eye test is often tried on neurasthenic patients. As a result, a person suffering from nervous disorder would fail to react and consequently would be suspected o'f intoxication.