STIMULANTS AND NARCOTICS 269 



cumbed. The miners, no doubt, had nourishment in their 

 bodies for some weeks more of life, but the necessary sol- 

 vent in the form of water was lacking to dissolve it and 

 bring it within the reach of the cells most needing it. 



483. A Fact of Immense Importance. This fact concern- 

 ing the amount of nourishment stored in the human body 

 (in one case a two months' supply !) is one of the most 

 stupendous facts with which the science of physiology has 

 to deal, and it should be borne in mind, or we may greatly 

 deceive ourselves about some very simple matters. 



484. Foolhardiness. Did you ever get so tired that you 

 had to give up and stop, however much you would have liked 

 to continue at work or play ? To rest was the wise thing to 

 do. Now, although you learned from physiology how much 

 energy you have stored up within your frame, you should not 

 on that account, be tempted to go on until you almost break 

 down. Probably you know people who are conceited about 

 their bodies and say they are made of cast iron ; nothing 

 can hurt them. Did you ever know anybody who was con- 

 ceited about his mind and thought he was very bright ? 

 It is just as foolish to be conceited about the body. 



485. A Blessing in Disguise. It is a very wise arrange- 

 ment that under ordinary conditions we cannot get at the 

 surplus energy we have. We are compelled to be provi- 

 dent, as it were ; yet stimulants and narcotics, by irritating 

 the cells, will cause them to expend some of this reserve 

 energy ; they will enable man to get at this precious store 

 which he should save for emergencies, such as a spell of 

 sickness when he cannot digest food, or when he is making 

 some mighty effort. This reserve energy will enable him to 

 undergo some trying ordeal successfully. 



Did you ever know of a weak sick man who had eaten 

 very little for weeks, yet was so powerful that it took 

 several strong men to hold him ? This sometimes hap- 

 pens in the case of sick men who are delirious and 



