NARCOTICS AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 137 



dren who fall into bad habits from the lack of the good 

 example and restraint of their intemperate parents. The 

 money loss of strong drink can be restored, but the suffer- 

 ing can never be repaid. When all has been reckoned, it 

 will be found that strong drink is the cause of more waste 

 and evil than any other known thing. It affects every one 

 in the land, therefore it is right to make laws which shall 

 control the sale of liquor, or even stop its sale altogether. 



266. Bitters. There is a form of alcohol which many 

 use and do not know it. Strengthening bitters, Jamaica 

 ginger, and many tonics are simply strong alcohol with 

 flavors added. They produce the same stimulating effects 

 as whisky, and can easily make a person drunk. Their 

 effects are due to their alcohol. Some persons even have 

 a habit of their use just as men form a habit of using other 

 kinds of alcoholic drinks. 



267. Drug habits. Opium and chloral are sometimes 

 used to quiet the brain and to produce sleep. They are 

 dangerous drugs, for after their effects have passed off, the 

 brain feels worse than ever, and nothing but the same drug 

 will make it feel well again. So persons form habits of 

 their use. They quickly weaken the whole body, and affect 

 the brain more than any other part. Those who use the 

 drug seldom live more than a year or two. Many other 

 drugs will also lead to slavish habits of taking them, but 

 opium and chloral are the most common ones. 



268. Headache powders. There are a number of simi- 

 lar drugs made from coal tar which are used to relieve 

 headaches. Phenacetine is the most common one. Under 

 a doctor's direction they are valuable remedies ; but many 

 use them on their own responsibility, and finally find that 

 they do not feel well without the drug. All these drugs 

 weaken the heart and may produce violent poisoning. 



