THE INFLUENCE OF ALCOHOL ON PROTEID 
METABOLISM. By R H. CHITTENDEN. 
Reprinted from the Journal of Physiology. 
Vol. XII. No. 3, 1891. [From the Journal of Physiology. Vol. XII. No. 3, 1891.] THE INFLUENCE OF ON PROTEID META- 
BOLISM. By R. H. CHITTENDEN, Professor of Physiolo- 
gical Chemistry in Yale fJjriv&rsity. 
(From experiments made hy Messrs Charles Norris Jr, and 
E. E. Smith, Assistant in Physiological Chemistry.) 
Although much work has been done with a view to ascertaining the 
influence*of alcohol on nutrition, there is still great lack of unanimity 
of opinion as to its influence on the metabolism of proteid matter. 
Many observers have reported a diminished excretion of nitrogen 
during the administration of alcohol, thus implying a diminution of 
proteid metabolism, while others have found the elimination of urea or 
nitrogen wholly unchanged. While there is a general impression that 
alcohol tends to lower the nitrogen output, or in other words to check 
the metabolism of proteid matter, and that wholly irrespective of the 
amount taken, the facts at our disposal are hardly sufficient to warrant 
such an assumption. As has been well pointed out by Warren1 and 
Reichert2 few, if any, of the old experiments have much value now. 
The older observers rarely went further than to determine the daily 
excretion of urea, wholly ignoring the residual nitrogen and the nitrogen 
of the feces. Furthermore, the necessity of having the body in a con- 
dition of nitrogenous equilibrium, when studying the influence of a 
substance on nutrition, was not as fully appreciated then as at the 
present day. 
Of the more recent experiments those made by Munk3 appear to be 
the most trustworthy. This observer experimented with dogs of 18—20 
kilos, body weight, in a condition of nitrogenous equilibrium, giving 
1 Boston Med. and Surg, Journal, July, 1887. 
2 “ The action of alcohol on animal heat functions.” Therapeutic Gazette, Feb. 1890. 
3 Verhandl. d. Physiol. Gesellsch. Berlin, Jan. 3, 1879. Also Jahresbericht filr Thier- 
chemie fiir 1878. p. 310. ALCOHOL AND PROTEID METABOLISM. 
221 
alcohol in small or large doses for three to five days and comparing the 
excretion of nitrogen by the urine and faeces during this period with a 
like period in which no alcohol was given. The results appear to show 
that while smaller doses, 25 c.c. absolute alcohol, tend to diminish 
slightly the total nitrogen output, larger doses of 40—50 c.c. of absolute 
alcohol per day decidedly increase the elimination of nitrogen. In this 
connection it is to be remembered that v. Boeck and Bauer1 found 
that with small doses of alcohol there was a diminished excretion of 
carbonic acid and inflow of oxygen, while larger doses led to an increased 
consumption of oxygen and excretion of carbonic acid. Hence, Munk 
concludes that in general, moderate doses of I—l|-c.c. of absolute 
alcohol per kilo, lessen the decomposition of proteid matter to the extent 
of 6—7 per ceut., while larger doses of 2 c.c. absolute alcohol per kilo, of 
body weight increase proteid metabolism 4to 10 per cent. Munk also 
noticed that after giving large doses of alcohol, the further administration 
of small doses failed then to produce any diminution in the consumption 
of proteid matter, or only to a slight extent. Biess2, on the other hand, 
experimenting with men and giving 3—5 grams of absolute alcohol per 
kilo, of body weight found both the urea and uric acid of the urine 
diminished 15—16 per cent, during an alcohol period of 13 days, thus 
implying diminished proteid metabolism, but the men experimented 
with were apparently not in nitrogenous equilibrium. Further, in 
experiments published last year, Keller3, experimenting on himself and 
taking a single dose of 150 c.c. of 96 per cent, alcohol (2’4c.c. per kilo, 
body weight), found a slight diminution in the nitrogen of the urine, 
but as the nitrogen of the faeces was not determined and there is no 
evidence that the body was in nitrogenous equilibrium this result is 
likewise of doubtful value. 
With herbivora, Weiske has shown that small doses of alcohol 
(about 1 c.c. per kilo, body weight) exert no influence on proteid 
metabolism, when the animal receives his ordinary food. Further, 
Weiske and Flechsig4 have found that much the same result is 
obtained when the animal is fed upon a very rich nitrogenous diet. 
Thus, in an experiment covering 32 days a sheep of 40 kilos, body 
weight took daily 60 grams of alcohol diluted to 1 litre, with food 
containing 22 24 grams of nitrogen. The total excretion of nitrogen 
1 Zeitschrift fiir Biologic. Band x. p. 336. 1870. 
2 Zeitschrift fiir klin. Medicin. 2. 1. 
3 Zeitschrift fiir physiologische Chcmie. 1889. Band xm. p. 128 
4 J.f. Landwirthschaft. xxxvix. p. 327. 222 
R H. CHITTENDEN. 
through the urine and fseces amounted during the fore period to 22'2 
grams per day, while the daily output during the alcohol period was 
22'4 grams, and in the after period 21’88 grams of nitrogen. Thus, from 
this experiment it would appear, that with herbivora, at least, alcohol 
does not protect the consumption of proteid matter like carbohydrates, 
but rather increases it. 
It is plainly evident from these several results that we are not yet 
in a position to state definitely the action of alcohol upon proteid 
metabolism. Quite probably, as indicated by Munk’s experiments, the 
action varies with variations in the conditions, but unfortunately many 
of the experiments hitherto tried have been lacking in some one respect 
to such an extent that the results need to be accepted with caution. 
In the present study of the question, the experiments have been 
confined wholly to dogs, and in the administration of the alcohol we 
have followed Munk in the size of the doses, so that the conditions 
might be favourable for obtaining confirmation of his results. 
The diet used throughout the experiments was a mixture of desic- 
cated beef and milk crackers or biscuit. The meat was prepared by 
taking large quantities of lean beef (sufficient to last through an entire 
experiment), freeing it from fat and tendon, passing it through a 
hashing machine and then drying it at 45—50° 0. until it had lost 
about 75 per cent, of its weight. The entire quantity was ground to a 
coarse powder, thoroughly mixed, and preserved in tightly closed jars. 
A sufficient amount of dry milk biscuit was likewise prepared by simply 
grinding it to a coarse powder. The percentages of nitrogen in both 
meat and biscuit were determined in sampled portions by the Kjeldahl 
method, thus giving us exact data on which to calculate the daily 
income of nitrogen. 
First Experiment. 
In this experiment, the dog used weighed a little over 16 kilos. 
He was confined in a suitable cage, lined with galvanized iron, adapted 
for the collection of the excreta. The meat employed as food contained 
12-87 per cent, of nitrogen and the crackers or biscuit I*Bl per cent, of 
nitrogen. The daily rations consisted of 96 grams of the prepared beef 
and 80 grams of biscuit, mixed with 850 c.c. of water; one-half being 
given at 9 a.m., the other half at 5 p.m. The daily nitrogen income 
amounted therefore to 13 79 grams. The animal was confined in the 
cage and fed upon this diet for two weeks before the excretions were ALCOHOL AND PROTEID METABOLISM. 
223 
analyzed, at the end of which time it was assumed that the animal had 
become habituated to the diet and his surroundings. The extent of 
nitrogenous metabolism wTas measured by daily determinations of the 
nitrogen of the urine, using the Kjeldahl method, and by determina- 
tions of total sulphur and phosphorus. The nitrogen of the fseces was 
likewise determined by Kjeldahl’s method, whenever the animal 
defecated. Owing to the highly nutritive character of the food, however, 
this usually occurred only once in five days. Each day’s urine repre- 
sents the quantity excreted from 9 a.m. of one day to 9 a.m. of the 
following day, the date given in the tables being the day on which 
the 24 hours ended. Consequently, alcohol given on the 4th of April, 
for example, would have no effect on the urine of that date, but its 
influence would be looked for on the day following. 
The method employed in the determination of total sulphur and 
phosphorus was to evaporate a given volume of the urine (50—100 c.c.) 
in a commodious silver crucible with pure potassium hydroxide and 
nitrate, igniting the residue until it was completely oxidized and 
treating the salts with water. For sulphur, the solution was acidified 
with hydrochloric acid, evaporated to dryness, the residue again dissolved, 
the solution filtered and precipitated after the usual method with 
barium chloride. For phosphorus, the solution was acidified with 
nitric acid, evaporated to dryness, the residue again dissolved and the 
solution precipitated first with molybdic solution and lastly with 
magnesia mixture. From the weight of magnesium pyrophosphate, 
the phosphorus was readily calculated. 
The experiment extended through twenty-eight days and was 
divided into three periods; a fore or normal period of twelve days, 
during which no alcohol was given, an alcohol period of ten days during 
which 290 c.c. of absolute alcohol were administered, and lastly a short 
after period of six days. As seen from the table of results, the average 
daily output of nitrogen by the urine and fseces for the normal period 
amounted to 1331 grams, while the daily income was 1379 grams. 
The animal lost considerable hair which would account for a portion of 
the deficit in nitrogen, while the remainder must be attributed to the 
slight gain in body weight and in part to the ordinary losses in ana- 
lytical work. First Experiment. 
Date 
Body 
weight 
Volume 
urine 
Sp. gr. 
Reaction 
Nitrogen 
Sulphur 
Phos- 
phorus 
Absolute 
alcohol 
taken 
March 
kilos. 
c.c. 
grams 
gram 
gram 
c.c. 
24 
16-1 
810 
1016 
acid 
12-973 
0-862 
0-609 
0 
25 
16-1 
800 
1017 
13-000 
6-850 
0-630 
26 
16-2 
850 
1016 
13-080 
0-854 
0-632 
27 
16-1 
820 
1017 
13-087 
0-877 
0-910 
28 
16-3 
745 
1016 
11-012 
0-720 
0-603 
29 
16-2 
780 
1016 
11-052 
0-735 
0-611 
30 
16-3 
955 
1019 
16-866 
1-081 
0-995 
31 
16-2 
860 
1017 
53 
13-873 
0-880 
0-784 
April 
1 
16-4 
915 
1016 
13-993 
0-881 
0-822 
2 
16-3 
805 
1017 
13-600 
0-897 
0-762 
3 
16-4 
820 
1017 
5? 
13-567 
0-874 
0-778 
4 
16-5 
700 
1014 
33 
9-267 
0-699 
0-496 
►—4 r— 
o o 
Daily average 
821 
1016 
12-947 
0-850 
0-719 
March 28. 
113 gram feces 
2-510 
April 3. 
92 „ 
35 
1-890 
Daily average nitrogen 
13-314 
Date 
Body 
weight 
Volume 
urine 
Sp. gr. 
Reaction 
Nitrogen 
Sulphur 
Phos- 
phorus 
Absolute 
alcohol 
taken 
April 
kilos. 
c.c. 
grams 
gram 
gram 
c.c. 
fl5 
115 
5 
16-2 
820 
1017 
acid 
12-511 
0-721 
0-682 
6 
16-3 
850 
1020 
?> 
16-317 
1-192 
1-024 
[15 
115 
7 
16-6 
840 
1016 
J7 
12-602 
0-879 
0-763 
fl5 
15 
8 
16-8 
850 
1016 
J? 
12-565 
0-997 
0-726 
1 
f!5 
U5 
0 
16-8 
775 
1016 
)> 
12-632 
0-732 
0-795 
fl5 
115 
10 
16-7 
800 
1016 
5? 
13-121 
0-840 
0-730 
■ 
fl 5 
115 
11 
16-6 
780 
1017 
13-322 
0-860 
0-736 
15 
115 
12 
16-8 
810 
1016 
?? 
12-816 
0-771 
0-776 
] 
fl 5 
Ll 5 
13 
17-0 
870 
1016 
5? 
13-278 
0-853 
0-772 
Q5 
115 
. 14 
16-8 
740 
1018 
12-626 
0-795 
0 718 
0 
Total 
alcohol 
Daily average 
813 
1016 
13-179 
0-864 
0-772 
290 
A] 
.ril 8. 
96 grams fseces 
2-020 
, 13. 
98 „ 
2-140 
Daily average Nitrogen 
13-595 ALCOHOL AND FROTH ID METABOLISM. 
225 
Date 
Body 
weight 
Volume 
urine 
Sp. gr. 
Eeaction 
Nitrogen 
Sulphur 
Phos- 
phorus 
Absolute 
alcohol 
taken 
April 
kilos. 
c. c. 
grams 
gram 
gram 
15 
16-8 
800 
1018 
acid 
13-108 
0-810 
0-790 
0 
16 
16-8 
830 
1016 
13-161 
0-820 
0-793 
17 
16-9 
839 
1017 
13-586 
0-850 
0-761 
18 
16-8 , 
831 
1016 
13-749 
0-889 
0-762 
19 
16-9 
820 
1017 
13-542 
0-889 
0-782 
20 
17-0 
735 
1018 
33 
10-982 
0-686 
0-639 
Daily average 
809 
1017 
13-021 
0-824 
0-754 
April 20. 112 grams 
feces 
2-350 
Daily average Nitrogen 
13-413 
During the alcohol period, in which T9 c.c. of absolute alcohol per 
kilo, of body weight were given daily for nine consecutive days, the 
average daily output of nitrogen amounted to 13'59 grams, an increase of 
about 2 per cent, over the average daily excretion of the normal period. 
The excretion of sulphur and phosphorus was likewise increased during 
the alcohol period to a corresponding extent. In the third or after 
period the excretion of all three elements fell back approximately to 
the normal. 
The alcohol administered during the alcohol period was given in two 
distinct doses daily, mixed with the water of the food, and in no case did 
it apparently disagree with digestion. Unlike most previous experiments 
there was here no noticeable diuretic action, the average daily volume 
of urine being essentially the same during all three periods. The doses 
of alcohol were sufficiently large to produce drowsiness and a tendency 
towards stupor, the animal sleeping a great portion of the time during 
the alcohol period. There was further a slight weakness of the hind legs 
noticeable at times, particularly just after the doses of alcohol were given. 
The results of this experiment may perhaps be taken as confirmatory 
of Munk’s observations that fairly large doses of alcohol tend to increase 
somewhat the nitrogen output, thus implying increased metabolism 
of proteid matter. Our results certainly show a slightly increased 
excretion of nitrogen during the alcohol period, and this is confirmed by 
a corresponding increase in the excretion of sulphur and phosphorus. 
Considering, however, the size of the doses and the length of the alcohol 
period, it would seem as if a more decisive result might naturally be 
expected, if the substance experimented with is possessed of any very 
pronounced effect upon proteid metabolism. 226 
R. H. CHITTENDEN. 
Second Experiment. 
In this experiment a somewhat smaller dog was employed, of about 
13 kilos, body weight. The diet was of the same order as that made 
use of in the first experiment. The prepared meat contained 12 83 per 
cent, of nitrogen, as determined by the Kjeldahl method, and the 
biscuit IT6 per cent, of nitrogen. The quantity of food given daily 
throughout the experiment consisted of 70 grams of prepared beef 
and 50 grams of milk biscuit with 500 c.c. of water. Hence the 
daily income of nitrogen amounted to 9'56 grams. This was fed to the 
animal at one time, instead of dividing it as in the first experiment, 
always at the same hour, viz, 10 a.m. Likewise, when the alcohol was 
given, the entire daily dose was mixed with the food and thus adminis- 
tered at one time. 
In view of the possibility of alcohol exerting some special influence 
upon the elimination of either urea or uric acid, without necessarily 
affecting the excretion of total nitrogen, it was decided in this experi- 
ment to estimate not only the amount of nitrogen eliminated, but also 
the urea and uric acid. Phosphoric acid was also determined, but 
estimation of total sulphur and phosphorus was omitted. Uric acid 
was determined gravimetrically by E. Salkowski’s well-known silver 
method1. Phosphoric acid by titration with a standard solution of 
uranyl nitrate. Urea, by titration with a standard solution of mercuric 
nitrate, after removal of the phosphates by baryta mixture and of 
chlorine by standard solution of silver nitrate. The standard mercury 
solution was prepared as recommended by Pfluger, and in the titra- 
tion the acidity of the mixture was neutralized by a solution of sodium 
carbonate of 1053 specific gravity, after the method recommended by 
Pfliiger. Total nitrogen in both the urine and faeces was determined 
by the Kjeldahl method. 
The experiment was divided into three periods of ten days each. 
In the first or normal period, the average daily excretion of nitrogen 
through the urine and fmces amounted to 9'098 grams. This shows a 
deficit of 0’46 gram of nitrogen when compared with the daily nitrogen 
income ; a deficiency due doubtless in part to loss of nitrogen by 
shedding of hair, and in part to the animal not being absolutely in 
nitrogenous equilibrium. The deficit, however, is not a large one and 
would mean at the most a laying up of 2'87 grams of proteid matter 
per day, or for the ten days’ period of 28-7 grams proteid matter. In 
harmony with this, the animal appears to have gained slightly in weight. 
1 See Salkowski and Leube. Die Lehre vom Earn. pp. 96-97. ALCOHOL AND FROTH ID METABOLISM. 
227 
Second Experiment. 
Date 
Body 
wt. 
Yol. 
urine 
Sp. gr. 
Nitrogen 
Urea 
Uric acid 
Phospho- 
ric acid 
(P2O5) 
Nitrogen 
of faeces 
Absolute 
alcohol 
taken 
Jan. 
kilos. 
c.c. 
grams 
grams 
gram 
grams 
grams 
c.c. 
13 
12-6 
530 
1019 
8-362 
18-925 
0-0402 
1-109 
14 
12-6 
497 
1018 
8-771 
17-940 
0-0365 
0-943 
15 
12-8 
475 
1018 
8-342 
18-629 
0-0377 
1-216 
16 
13-0 
525 
1016 
7-824 
16-851 
0-0330 
1-044 
17 
12-9 
615 
1017 
10-627 
23-460 
0-0286 
1-494 
0-558 
18 
12-8 
430 
1023 
8-916 
18-542 
0-0126 
0-968 
0-665 
19 
12-9 
510 
1016 
8-121 
17-414 
0-0339 
1-204 
20 
12-8 
665 
1017 
10-829 
22-512 
0-0372 
1-629 
21 
12-8 
420 
1016 
5-608 
12-456 
0-0271 
0-871 
1-773 
22 
12-9 
495 
1021 
10-586 
22-359 
0-0364 
1-337 
200 
Total 
5162 
87-986 
189-088 
0-3232 
11-815 
2-996 
2-996 
Total nitrogen, urine and 
faeces 
90-982 
Date 
Body 
wt. 
Yol. 
urine 
Sp. gr. 
Nitrogen 
Urea 
Uric acid 
Phospho- 
ric acid 
(P2o5) 
Nitrogen 
of faeces 
Absolute 
alcohol 
taken 
Jan. 
kilos. 
c.c. 
grams 
grams 
gram 
grams 
grams 
c.c. 
23 
12-8 
585 
1018 
9-311 
20-032 
0-0570 
1-257 
25-6 
24 
12-9 
480 
1015 
6-162 
13-533 
0-0480 
0-955 
25-8 
25 
12-9 
470 
1018 
7-676 
17-332 
0-0277 
1-014 
25-8 
26 
130 
550 
1020 
10-288 
22-644 
0-0690 
1-304 
26-0 
27 
130 
535 
1019 
9-320 
20-512 
0-0570 
1-205 
0-280 
32-5 
28 
13-0 
575 
1020 
10-554 
22-550 
0-0449 
1-473 
32-5 
29 
13-1 
450 
1017 
6-644 
13-873 
0-0277 
0-992 
32-8 
30 
13-1 
550 
1017 
7-844 
16-902 
0-0358 
1-099 
39-3 
31 
13-0 
550 
1018 
8-866 
19-156 
0-0393 
1-249 
1-572 
39-0 
Feb. 
1 
13-0 
630 
1019 
10-843 
22-679 
0-0439 
1-389 
Total 
5375 
87-508 
189-213 
0-4503 
11-937 
0-852 
299-3 
1-852 
Total nitrogen, urine and 
faeces 
89-360 li. H. CHITTENDEN. 
Date 
Body 
\vt. 
Vol. 
urine 
Sp. gr. 
Nitrogen 
Urea 
Uric acid 
Phospho- 
ric acid 
(PA) 
Nitrogen 
of feces 
Absolute 
alcohol 
taken 
Feb. 
kilos. 
c.o. 
grams 
grams 
gram 
grams 
grams 
c.c. 
2 
13-0 
650 
1025 
13-605 
29-868 
0-0487 
1-817 
0-075 
0 
3 
13-0 
520 
1017 
6-837 
15-879 
0-0216 
1-117 
4 
12-9 
560 
1021 
10-341 
21-416 
0-0218 
1-450 
5 
12-9 
540 
1018 
9-196 
19-756 
0-0219 
1-322 
6 
12-9 
540 
1017 
9-072 
18-860 
0-0230 
1-135 
n 
1 
12-9 
500 
1020 
8-088 
17-561 
0-0230 
1-238 
0-917 
8 
12-8 
610 
1019 
10-710 
22-376 
0-0229 
1-505 
9 
12-6 
570 
1021 
10-872 
22-466 
0-0316 
1-460 
10 
12-6 
635 
1018 
9-705 
19-948 
0-0273 
1-436 
1-073 
11 
12-7 
525 
1019 
8-902 
18-388 
0-0297 
1-276 
Total 
5650 
97-328 
206-518 
0-2715 
13-756 
2-065 
2-065 
Total nitrogen, urine and 
fseces , 
99-393 
During the alcohol period of ten days, 299'3 cubic centimeters of 
absolute alcohol were given with a total excretion of 89'36 grams of 
nitrogen, as contrasted with the 90-98 grams of nitrogen of the normal 
period. This diminution in the excretion of nitrogen is very slight, and 
as it is accompanied by almost no change in the excretion of urea it 
cannot be considered as having any very decisive significance. The 
most noticeable result in the alcohol period is the decided increase in 
the elimination of uric acid. This commences immediately on the 
exhibition of the alcohol, continues throughout the alcohol period and 
the day following, and then suddenly drops to below the normal amount. 
The elimination of phosphoric acid during the alcohol period is not 
materially different from that of the fore period, neither is there any 
marked diuretic action under the influence of the alcohol. There is a 
slight increase in body weight. 
In the after period, following the administration of alcohol, the total 
nitrogen output for the ten days amounts to 99'39grams, which is a decided 
increase over the amount excreted during the fore period, and would at 
first glance indicate that the average daily excretion of nitrogen during 
the after period (9’93 grams) was greater than the daily income of 
nitrogen (9’56 grams). This, however, is not wholly true, for while the 
total nitrogen output in the after period is greater than the total 
nitrogen ingested, this is due to the very large amount of nitrogen 
eliminated on the first day of the after period, or the day following the ALCOHOL AND PROTEID METABOLISM. 
229 
last dose of alcohol. Thus the average daily nitrogen output for the 
last nine days of the after period is 953 grains against 9'56 grams 
ingested. The body weight during the after period is seen to gradually 
fall back to that of the first few days of the fore period. In the light 
of the three periods of this series it seems fair to conclude that the 
alcohol has given rise to an increase in the excretion of uric acid and at 
the same time has diminished slightly the elimination of total nitrogen. 
Third Experiment 
In this experiment the same animal was made use of as in the 
preceding one. The daily diet was changed slightly, the animal 
receiving 67 grams of prepared beef, 50 grams of sampled biscuit and 
600 cubic centimeters of water. The meat used throughout the expe- 
riment contained IS’SS per cent, of nitrogen, the biscuit o’sB per cent.; 
hence the animal received each day 9'52 grams of nitrogen. This 
experiment was somewhat shorter than the others, extending through 
twenty-four days, divided into three periods of eight days each. 
In the fore or normal period, the total nitrogen income for the eight 
days amounted to 76T6 grams, while the total nitrogen output, through 
the urine and faeces amounted to 76'84 grams, thus showing a good 
condition of nitrogenous equilibrium. The body weight likewise re- 
mained constant. 
Third Experiment. 
Date 
Body 
\vt. 
Vol. 
urine 
Sp. gr. 
Nitrogen 
Urea 
Uric acid 
Phospho- 
ric acid 
(p2o5) 
Nitrogen 
of feces 
Absolute 
alcohol 
taken 
Feb. 
kilos. 
c.c. 
grams 
grams 
gram 
grams 
grams 
c.c. 
19 
12-7 
530 
1019 
9-528 
19-915 
0-0228 
1-342 
20 
12-6 
690 
1018 
11-637 
24-603 
0-0210 
1-489 
21 
12-6 
590 
1017 
9-141 
19-667 
0-0227 
1-179 
22 
12-6 
495 
1016 
6-803 
14-400 
0-0208 
1-021 
23 
12-7 
560 
1019 
9-944 
21-382 
0-0258 
1-303 
24 
12-5 
590 
1018 
10-245 
22-408 
0-0271 
1-367 
25 
12-6 
495 
1018 
8-637 
18-681 
0-0213 
1-133 
26 
12-6 
530 
1019 
9-676 
20-158 
0-0209 
1-337 
1-232 
31-5 
T otal 
4480 
75-611 
161-214 
0-1824 
10-171 
1-232 
1-232 
Total nitrogen, urine and 
faeces 
76-843 R. 11. CHITTENDEN. 
230 
Date 
Body 
wt. 
Vol. 
urine 
Sp. gr. 
Nitrogen 
Urea 
Uric acid 
Phospho- 
ric acid 
(PA) 
Nitrogen 
of fasces 
Absolute 
alcohol 
taken 
Feb. 
kilos. 
c.c. 
grams 
grams 
gram 
grams 
grams 
c.c. 
27 
12-6 
570 
1016 
8-118 
17-646 
0-0459 
1-187 
31 -5 
28 
12-7 
425 
1017 
6-635 
14-285 
0-0410 
0-977 
31-8 
Mar, 
1 
12-8 
470 
1018 
7-857 
16-675 
0-0501 
1-010 
32-0 
2 
12-7 
630 
1020 
12-271 
25-819 
0-0545 
1-436 
0-682 
38-1 
3 
12-7 
640 
1018 
9-915 
21-008 
0-0154 
1-237 
38-1 
4 
12-7 
525 
1016 
7-448 
15-840 
0-0457 
0-985 
38-1 
5 
12-7 
580 
1017 
8-719 
19-039 
0-0487 
1-224 
38-1 
6 
12-7 
495 
1018 
8-221 
17-368 
0-0465 
1-110 
0-802 
0 
Total 
4335 
69-184 
147-680 
0-3778 
9-166 
1-484 
279-2 
1-484 
Total nitrogen, urine and 
faeces 
70-668 
Date 
Body 
wt. 
Vol. 
urine 
Sp. gr. 
Nitrogen 
1 
Urea Uric acid 
Phospho- 
ric acid 
(P.Os) 
Nitrogen 
of fasces 
Absolute 
alcohol 
taken 
Mar. 
kilos. 
c.c. 
grams 
grams gram 
grams 
grams 
c.c. 
7 
12-6 
710 
1024 
14-387 
29-656 0-0412 
1-678 
0 
8 
12-6 
520 
1019 
8-293 
17-631 | 0-0234 
1-156 
9 
12-6 
625 
1018 
10-089 
21-499 0-0384 
1-413 
1-033 
10 
12-5 
618 
1019 
10-436 
22-655 0-0386 
1-409 
11 
12-6 
470 
1017 
7-659 
16-167 1 0-0310 
1-115 
12 
12-7 
452 
1016 
6-678 
14-837 1 0-0289 
1-047 
13 
12-7 
575 
1019 
11-292 
23-678 | 0-0405 
1-462 
14 
12-7 
510 
1020 
10-378 
21-402 j 0-0388 
1-268 
0-738 
Total 
4480 
79-212 
167-575 0-2808 
10-548 
1-771 
1-771 
Total nitrogen, urine and 
faeces 
80-983 
During the alcohol period of eight days, 279'2 cubic centimeters of 
absolute alcohol were administered. The total amount of nitrogen 
eliminated during this period was 70’66 grams, being a decrease of over 
6 grams in the eight days, or an average diminution of about three- 
fourths of a gram per day. The excretion of urea was correspondingly 
diminished during the alcohol period and likewise that of phosphoric 
acid. In conformity with this tendency towards diminished proteid 
metabolism there is to be noticed a slight increase in the body weight. ALCOHOL AND P ROTE ID METABOLISM. 
231 
The most noticeable feature of the alcohol period, as in the last 
experiment, is the great increase in the excretion of uric acid. This 
increase commences on the first day following the exhibition of alcohol, 
and the average daily quantity eliminated amounts to more than double 
the quantity eliminated during the fore period. Further, in the after 
period, the amount excreted quickly drops to near the normal quantity. 
Again, in the third or after period, the excretion of total nitrogen, 
urea and phosphoric acid rises to a little more than that of the normal 
period, indicating plainly that the animal was in good condition 
throughout the entire experiment, and that the action of the alcohol 
had unquestionably brought about an inhibition in the excretion of 
nitrogen, urea, etc., thus implying a diminution in the metabolism 
of proteid matter. In this connection it is to be observed that the 
total nitrogen income for the entire period of twenty-four days amounted 
to 228*48 grams, while the total nitrogen output for the same period, 
through the urine and faeces, amounted to 228*49 grams, thus showing 
an exceptionally close correspondence and giving us positive assurance 
of nitrogenous equilibrium. It is to be further observed that, as in the 
preceding experiment, the first day of the after period shows a very 
striking increase in the elimination of nitrogen, urea and phosphoric 
acid. This might naturally be interpreted as meaning that in the 
sudden withdrawal of the alcohol the check upon the metabolism of 
proteid matter was loosened, and consequently the production and 
excretion of these substances temporarily rose far above the normal 
amount. 
In this experiment, as in the two preceding ones, there is no pro- 
nounced diuretic action noticeable. 
Conclusions. 
As a result of these three experiments we may conclude that alcohol, 
in the quantities employed by us, and in the case of dogs, has no very 
striking specific action upon the general metabolism of proteid matter. 
In this connection due weight must be attached to the length of the 
o o 
alcohol periods. In each case they extended through eight or ten days 
and under such conditions one would naturally expect a very pronounced 
result; one which would be independent of the minor fluctuations to be 
looked for in a shorter series, and which at the same time would be 
magnified by the length of the individual periods. Furthermore, the 
quantity of alcohol employed was large, rising to 2 5 cubic centimeters 232 
R. 11. CHITTENDEN. 
of absolute alcohol per kilo, of body weight. Obviously, such a quantity 
given day after day should produce a decided result, if the substance is 
endowed with any special power to retard or stimulate tissue changes. 
Our results lead us to the conclusion that alcohol, so far as its 
general influence on proteid metabolism is concerned, acts in the main 
simply as a non-nitrogenous food. As such it would yield a certain 
amount of energy by its own oxidation and thus tend to protect slightly 
the consumption of proteid matter and hence conserve the tissues. This 
view would accord with the recent results obtained by Reichert1 in his 
study of the action of alcohol on animal heat functions. Assuming this 
view to be correct, one could net expect any very great diminution in 
the nitrogen output under the influence of alcohol; in fact, no greater 
than was observed in experiments 2 and 3, since it can save the tissues 
or the proteid food-stuff only to the extent of the energy which it can 
itself yield. At the same time it must be remembered that alcohol is 
a potent drug, and as such may exert at times some specific action upon 
metabolic changes. Possibly in this direction lies the explanation of 
the decided increase in the elimination of uric acid. Our results cer- 
tainly indicate that alcohol has a decided and specific action in this 
direction, increasing the excretion of uric acid a hundred per cent, and 
that at a time when the elimination of urea and total nitrogen are 
being diminished. 
Alcohol may then be considered as having the power to diminish 
somewhat the general metabolism of proteid matter, thus conserving the 
tissues ; a power which is dependent mainly upon its character as a 
non-nitrogenous food. At the same time it has some specific action 
upon nutrition, as manifested in its tendency to increase the excretion 
of uric acid. 
1 Therapeutic Gazette, Feb. 1890.