EFFECT OF TOBACCO ON NERVOUS SYSTEM 237 



young people and adults. Many school records show that, in 

 general, smokers have lower scholastic standing than non-smokers. 

 The use of tobacco in early youth forms a habit that becomes 

 increasingly hard to break and in many instances has harmful 

 effects upon the general ability of the person. 



Tests have been made to see the effects of alcohol on mental 

 and motor achievements. One of these tests showed that after 

 a person takes alcohol in any form the rate of his pulse is 

 increased, steadiness is decreased, coordination is lessened, and 

 his ability to add is decreased. In all the tests that have been 

 made, alcohol appears to reduce functional capacity. Recent 

 tests show that alcohol is not a stimulant but a narcotic. The 

 apparent stimulation following the taking of alcohol is due to the 

 deadening of the nerve centers of control. The higher nerve 

 centers of judgment and decision become dulled, resulting in irre- 

 sponsibility. The memory tests which were conducted showed that 

 seventy per cent less work was done when the subject was using 

 alcohol. Many industrial organizations, railroads, and mercantile 

 houses require their men to be total abstainers. The experience 

 of these corporations proves that alcohol interferes with efficiency 

 and is directly responsible for many accidents. The investigation 

 of these two drugs is still largely experimental. 



QUESTIONS 



1 . What is the relation of intelligence to school progress ? 



2. What remediable conditions may cause failure ? 



3. What can be done with dull children ? 



4. How do you think that it is possible for psychologists to deter- 

 mine the intelligence necessary for efficiency in various positions ? 



5. What precautions are necessary for keeping the nervous system 

 in good condition ? 



6. What is fatigue ? How can it be overcome ? 



7. What are the objections to worries, fears, bad temper, and 

 introspection ? 



8. What can be done for a person with an inferiority complex ? 



