CHAPTER XXVIII 

 STIMULANTS 



We sometimes hear stimulants spoken of as "whips" 

 or "spurs." They drive our bodies to greater activity than 

 they would naturally show. 



With rare exceptions, stimulants are not really foods. 

 Even if harmless, they do not provide the nourishment for 

 the extra work which they demand. They do not build up 

 real strength and energy. Like continued spurring, their 

 steady use will drive our bodies to exhaustion and injure 

 our nerves, our self-control, and our self-respect. We 

 should all be on our guard against the dangers that may 

 attend their use. 



Stimulants is a term used to denote substances which, when 

 taken into the human 'body, affect the nervous system in such 

 a way that it reacts on the various organs under its control, 

 and enables them to do more work than they otherwise would 

 do. If the muscles have become exhausted by vigorous exercise, a 

 stimulant is supposed temporarily to restore their ability to work 

 or to continue work for a longer period. If the brain has become 

 tired by long continued activity, it is thought that a stimulant may 

 enable it to work for a longer time or for a period after it feels 

 fatigue. 



The most common substances used to stimulate the nervous 

 system are tea, coffee, cocoa, and chocolate, and various concoc- 

 tions that contain alcohol in a greater or less amount. 



Tea and Coffee. Both tea and coffee are much used as 

 beverages. The stimulating effect which they produce on the 

 nervous system is due to the presence of a drug, called caffein 

 when found in coffee, and thein, in tea. The effect of tea 

 and coffee is not the same on all persons. In some they produce 

 indigestion, headache, and sleeplessness. In others they produce 

 no harmful results, but seem to relieve physical and mental weari- 

 ness. Neither tea nor coffee should be given to children. 



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