THE HYGIENE OF THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 175 



by a dose of narcotic. We have urged that the power of 

 detachment is an accomplishment to be desired and culti- 

 vated; one should not be obliged to depend on alcohol for 

 its realization. The wine opens a royal road to a goal 

 which it is often well to seek, but it is a downhill road 

 and the return cannot be so easily effected as the descent. 

 The man who is really master of himself can detach and 

 concentrate with equal success; the alcohol favors the 

 former but in the same measure is Opposed to the latter. 



The tendency to form a habit in the use of alcohol is 

 not to be made light of. Two young men whose heredity 

 and principles seem to be equally good may differ abso- 

 lutely as to the degree of safety with which they can 

 drink. One may enjoy it from time to time and feel 

 no desire to increase the frequency or the extent of his 

 indulgence. The other may prove to be one of those 

 unfortunates who cannot remain temperate one who 

 will go on to his own ruin and to break the hearts of his 

 family. Total abstinence is a safe course and it has 

 constantly a larger number of distinguished exemplars. 



Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate. These widely used 

 preparations are mild stimulants in the best sense of 

 the term. They increase working capacity and at the 

 same time may give a sense of well-being. It is impossi- 

 ble to prove that their use is harmful for the great major- 

 ity of people. Many individuals -have found that these 

 beverages disagree with them and such people are 

 usually sensible enough to abstain. Some persons seem 

 unable to make the sacrifice where it is desirable and 

 suffer decidedly in consequence. It is a good plan not 

 to resort to these stimulants when there is no clear 

 occasion for their use. If they are not employed 

 regularly they will be doubly serviceable in a genuine 

 emergency. 



