Combined effect of cold and alcohol on heat balance in man

Abstract

The combined effect of alcohol and cold on the heat balance of human subjects was studied by measuring heat production, deep body temperature, and skin surface temperature during an 8-hr night. Moderate doses of alcohol had no deteriorative effect on heat balance during prolonged mild cold exposure. The only noticeable effect of alcohol under these conditions is a hypnotic effect giving the subjects more comfort and sleep. If the cold stress becomes severe, some risk is involved by consuming alcohol, as an insufficient metabolic compensation was observed in one subject resulting in a greater drop of the rectal temperature than when the same subject rested nonintoxicated under the same environmental conditions. cold and alcohol Submitted on January 14, 1963