TOBACCO AND TABLE BEVERAGES 511 



5. The growth and manufacture of tobacco wastes soil, labor, 

 and money, sorely needed in productive lines of industry. 



6. Smokers cause about one-fourth of the fires, both in buildings 

 and forests. You can scarcely find a factory without its " No 

 Smoking " signs on this account. 



To quote from another authority in conclusion: 



" Whatever difference of opinion there may be regarding the 

 effect of tobacco on adults, there is complete agreement among 

 those best qualified to know, that the use of tobacco is in a high 

 degree harmful to children and youth." 



Tea and Coffee. To a degree much less than tobacco, these 

 beverages contain an alkaloid called caffein. As with tobacco, 

 their use is certainly not wise for the young. With adults, mod- 

 erate indulgence may do no harm or may even be beneficial, 

 though this is a matter which every person must decide for 

 himself. 



Neither has much food value, both are rather costly, and both 

 tend to become habits. On the other hand they sometimes seem 

 to soothe the nerves (which ought not to need soothing), or to 

 permit one to continue work when nearly tired out, which also is 

 a rather doubtful benefit. 



Cocoa and Chocolate contain less caffein and a great deal of fat, 

 hence are real foods. More people should learn to properly pre- 

 pare them and then tea and coffee would be less used, with benefit 

 to all concerned. 



It seems almost unnecessary to say that no medicine or beverage 

 containing alcohol, opium, morphine, chloral, cocaine, or any of 

 their derivatives should ever be used except by advice of a rep- 

 utable physician. The awful danger of forming a " drug habit " 

 in this way has led to stringent laws, which we should all help 

 enforce. 



