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evolutionist will say nature still weeds out those who can not resist using 
alcohol excessively. 
There are all sorts of reasons why men drink. I am here only calling 
attention to a neglected factor. Alter the environment or remove a mau 
{vom the abnormal environment and, unless he has deteriorated too far, 
he will likely cease to drink or to drink to excess. 
Many of you are teachers. Apply the formula to yourselves: Under 
what air conditions do you spend your time? How good or how bad is 
the air under which you work, and must work, and the air at home and 
on your vacations? The teacher has a limited number of hours a day at 
school, with two days of rest 4 week, with holidays now and then and an 
annual vacation of several months—time for lymphatics to empty them- 
selves, ready for the next season’s work. 
At what time do you feel “fagged out?’ At what time do you feel 
the need or the desire for a sedative (tobacco, alcohol, opiate, coal tar 
preparations, etc.) ? When is there a call for a stimulant (coffee and tea 
especially ) ? 
Today we hear much of efficiency. Under what conditions is a man 
most efficient? To what extent is the air factor considered in estimating 
efficiency? The above formula might perhaps be of service in working 
out some cases; and similarly in the matter of longevity. How many 
reach a possible hundred out of the maby born in country, village and 
city? Isa relatively short “high pressure life’ of forty-five or fifty more 
desirable than a longer life under less strenuous conditious? Is fifty 
years (or often much less) better than ‘ta cycle of Cathay?” Is the at- 
tempt to become adapted to dirty cities worth while—when it is at the 
expense of mentality? 
In a study of the alcohol problem and its evils one is constantly 
reminded of the fact that man is an outdoor animal and that he thrives 
poorly in houses and cities. Geologically speaking it was only day before 
yesterday that he attempted to live in houses; yesterday in cities; and 
today he is undergoing the weeding out process as never before. Man of 
course will not die out, there will not be complete race suicide. 
Man afflicted by the ills of domestication and urbanization seeks 
relief. There are two methods: 
Take something, usually some drug that gives temporary relief. 
Do something, alter an unfavorable environment, or if that is not 
feasible, remove to a better one. 
