VALUE OF ALCOHOL

Otago Daily Times, Issue 21197, 1 December 1930, Page 9

VALUE OF ALCOHOL

A PROFESSOR’S ANALYSIS. EFFECTS ON THE BRAIN. (United Press Association.) CBy ' Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) LONDON, November 20. (Received Nov. 30, at 5.5 p.m.) Professor Sidney Smith, when lecturing at Edinburgh University, gave one of the most competent analyses of the social value of alcohol in the history of pedagogies. He expressed the opinion that it exerted its effects almost entirely on the brain. Under its influences little worries tended to disappear, small' disappointments of everyday life lost their sting, and the world in general appeared to be more pleastnt. Alcohol made self expression easier, the shy man lost sclf-consqiousness, and the critic became less critical. Nevertheless, when the reactions were analysed it would be found that there was a subtle but distinct loss of discrimination and fastidiousness of control, which became more pronounced with larger doses, especially if taken without food. There was little correlation between drunkenness and serious crime, but close correlation between minor violence and neglect of children-