HABITS. 281 



familiar to the East for many centuries. During the Crusades 

 it was frequently used by the Saracen warriors to stimulate 

 them to the work of slaughter ; and from the Arabic term of 

 { hashasheen/ or eaters of Hasheesh, as applied to them, the 

 word ' assassin ' has been naturally derived." 



It is said that burglars, train-robbers, etc., often drink be- 

 fore their work to " nerve " them for it, being careful, how- 

 ever, not to drink too much. 



Habits. It is well to here emphasize that Habits are 

 Acquired Reflex Actions. 



The work of the spinal cord is that of a subordinate officer, 

 whose duty is to relieve his superior, the brain, of many 

 small tasks, and to afford him relief from having all the 

 details constantly on his mind. If we learn to do many 

 things mechanically, we save the effort of doing them by con- 

 scious effort and act of will. Whatever we do for the first 

 time requires careful attention. To learn any new muscular 

 action, such as a new step in marching, fingering a musical 

 instrument, or typewriting, requires effort ; they produce 

 more or less fatigue. Subsequent effort in doing the same 

 thing is very much less, showing that, in many cases, fatigue 

 is mental rather than muscular. What we do from habit, and 

 cheerfully, is easily done. Hence the desirability of forming 

 good habits, that we may, without unnecessary effort, that 

 is, without loss of energy, do what is needed for our well- 

 being. The habit of Resting, early formed, is of incalculable 

 value to any person, especially to the student. 



The student will do well to read such books as Call's 

 Power Through Repose, and Brackett's Technique of Rest. 

 They are very suggestive of ways of economizing energy. 



We are not conscious of expending energy in standing, 

 until we begin to be weary ; but the fact that a blow on the 

 head causes one to fall, reveals the fact that the brain is 



