NARCOTICS AND THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 141 



on a greater cold by causing more blood to flow near the 

 surface of the skin, where its heat will readily be lost. 



The greatest danger of all in the household use of strong 

 drink as a medicine is that children may grow up with the 

 idea that it is a good thing to use under almost all circum- 

 stances. Thus it tends to encourage them in its use. No 

 one can use an alcoholic drink with safety even as a medi- 

 cine unless he is directed by a physician. 



278. Treating. A harmful practice connected with 

 drinking is the custom of treating. Many a man would 

 not drink if he were not invited by a friend. Then he does 

 not dare to refuse either from fear of offending his friend 

 or^of being laughed at. He may be led to take several 

 drinks against his will. 



In Europe treating is seldom done. It would be much 

 better if Americans would not induce their friends to drink. 

 The custom and habit of treating is not confined to men 

 and women, but children learn it in treating each other to 

 candy. It is well to be generous, but it would be well to 

 do a person good instead of harm by your generosity. 



279. Ether and chloroform. Alcohol is used in the 

 manufacture of ether and chloroform. These two drugs 

 are used to produce a deep sleep in which operations can 

 be done on the body without giving pain. As soon as they 

 are breathed into the lungs they begin to stupefy a person, 

 but at first they also cause him to cry out and to toss him- 

 self about like a drunken man. In about five minutes he 

 is in a deep sleep and can be kept so for an hour or two 

 while the operation is being done. 



When the ether or chloroform is stopped a person slowly 

 awakens and talks in a wandering way for some time. In 

 about half an hour he becomes wide awake again. The 

 condition of a man who is deeply under the influence of 



