138 HUMAN BIOLOGY 



of weakness. The first dose of morphine or cocaine may 

 be the first step in a lifelong blight of strength and happi- 

 ness. If physicians whose treatment of a case results in 

 leaving a patient with a drug or alcohol habit were sued 

 for malpractice, they would be less reckless. The annual 

 consumption of morphine is estimated at twenty-seven 

 grains per capita in China, and fifty grains in the United 

 States. 



Reaction. This is the depressed and exhausted condition 

 that comes on after a period of unnatural activity. It fol- 

 lows the exciting effects of a stimulant. 



Natural Stimulants. If there were nothing to arouse 

 activity, life would be impossible. A cold wind is a 

 natural stimulant. The activity aroused by a cold wind is 

 just enough to help the body withstand tJie cold ; artificial 

 stimulants cause an expenditure having no relation to the 

 needs of the body. Hence there is a great waste of energy. 

 Feelings may stimulate, as love for his family may stimu- 

 late a man to labor. The desire for knowledge may stimu- 

 late a boy to study. Hunger may stimulate a man to eat. 

 Hunger is a natural stimulant, and is not likely to make 

 him eat to excess ; tea, coffee, pepper, etc., arouse a false 

 appetite. These things are used chiefly for their stimu- 

 lant effect, for they contain little or no nourishment. We 

 will now study about artificial stimulants. Such stimulants 

 always cause an unregulated and unhealthy action, and are 

 always followed by reaction. 



How much Strength is stored in the Body? Dr. Tanner 

 of Minnesota believed that most people eat too much. 

 Another physician said that no human being could go forty 

 days without food. Dr. Tanner made the experiment. 

 He lost thirty-six pounds in weight, but he weighed 12 \\ 

 pounds and had considerable strength at the end of the 



