NARCOTICS AND STIMULANTS 329 



other poisons, one may become so accustomed to its 

 use by beginning with small doses, that finally even 

 large doses produce little apparent effect. The nicotine 

 is a niild narcotic. It dulls the sensibilities and 

 weakens the nerves. In young boys who are habitual 

 users of tobacco the nervous system does not develop 

 properly. As a result, they fall behind in their school 

 work. Less than 1% of the school children who smoke 

 are able to keep up their work. They become dull and 

 backward instead of keen and alert. They are not apt 

 for school work. They are often rejected for athletics 

 because they can not act and think quickly. In a 

 similar way, later in life they are not fitted for such 

 positions as demand good, clear, and rapid thinking. 



Much of the nicotine is absorbed by the blood vessels 

 and is then passed into the heart. It has very injurious 

 effects upon this organ, especially in young people. 

 The heart becomes enlarged and weakened sometimes 

 to such an extent that a " tobacco heart" is produced. 

 This frequently makes it necessary to reject boys from 

 athletic contests and from occupations requiring a 

 good physique. 



Many business corporations demanding workers who 

 are mentally, physically, and morally sound will not 

 employ a person who is a smoker. This alone should 

 be sufficient argument against the use of tobacco. 



Opium and other narcotics. Opium is made from the 

 milky juice which is found in the green seed-pod of the 

 poppy. Morphine and laudanum are made from opium. 



