THE SUPPORTING TISSUES 43 



Opium completely paralyzes certain cells. Those poisons 

 which are used by physicians to regulate the activity of the 

 cells are called 



71. Drugs and Stimulants. There are some people who 

 are so reckless in regard to that delicate organism, the 

 body, that they are ready to take the place of a physician 

 and to doctor themselves or their friends with virulent 

 drugs and patent medicines, and even to make a habit of 

 using alcohol, tobacco, or opium. The persons who pre- 

 scribe drugs to their families or friends may say they have 

 often taken calomel, quinine, patent cure-alls, headache 

 medicines, etc., and have not been injured. In the case 

 of some drugs, the most powerful microscope may fail to 

 show any effect upon the cells; nevertheless, we know a 

 change has occurred, for it requires more of the same drug 

 to have a like effect next time. The wisest physician can- 

 not peep into the secrets of the cells and always discern 

 whether they are injured. How presumptuous in those 

 who are not physicians to tamper with drugs ! Such per- 

 sons err through ignorance or presumption and often do 

 injury to themselves or their dear ones which lasts through 

 life. The best physicians give little medicine, especially 

 when practicing in families of intelligent people who have 

 the ability and patience to carry out their hygienic direc- 

 tions. The safe way is to seek the conditions of life named 

 above. How to do this will be considered in the sections of 

 this book devoted to hygiene. Sickness is sometimes un- 

 avoidable. When a person is in bed, it is too late for him 

 to cure himself by right living alone ; care should be taken 

 to call a good physician, and his directions should be im- 

 plicitly followed. Self drugging by the public is considered 

 by some the most fruitful cause of disease in the United 

 States. " Mind cure " and kindred ideas often do more by 

 rescuing victims from poisonous drugs than through their 

 calming effect upon the mind. 



