276 ELEMENTS OF PHYSIOLOGY 



that alcohol causes depression of activity. For man the 



highest aim is to develop useful activity, the will, the deter- 

 mination to do as much of the world's necessary work as 

 he is capable of doing, and a sound, vigorous body to 

 enable him to carry out such determination. It is of the 

 utmost importance, therefore, that we understand the con- 

 ditions of our physical systems under which this great end 

 can best be attained. 



501. In no other country are there so many people who 

 refrain from using intoxicating liquors as in the United 

 States. Many forces have united to bring about this con- 

 dition, chiefly temperance organizations, ministers, teach- 

 ers, and the newspapers. To a greater extent than in other 

 countries also intemperance has been driven out from the 

 upper classes by the force of public opinion ; it is no longer 

 fashionable. Temperance has gained in spite of the fact 

 that the climate of the United States tends strongly to 

 cause the excessive use of alcoholic liquors. 



502. A Knowledge of Physiology is a great help in pro- 

 moting the cause of temperance. All who acquire such 

 knowledge are the better able to contribute their share to 

 the good work. There can be no doubt that the use of 

 alcohol is steadily diminishing as the people learn more 

 of physiology, especially of the true nature of alcohol and 

 of its effects on the system. General education also fights 

 against intemperance, as few people interested in gaining 

 knowledge care to indulge to excess in intoxicating 

 drinks. 



503. Why the Drinker increases his Dram. Tanner 

 and Succi have proved that for the ordinary man the 

 energy stored up is sufficient for many weeks of life with- 

 out replenishing it by taking one morsel of food. When a 

 man begins to drink, the energy of his body may be of 

 large amount, and a small amount of alcohol suffices to 

 stimulate and exhilarate him. But a few stimulations 



