380 Our Surroundings 



or trucks with due regard to the safety of others. They are 

 therefore a menace on the public highways. The law every- 

 where penalizes such drivers as dangerous. They are liable to 

 have their driving licenses suspended for long periods or to 

 have them cancelled. 



Wood Alcohol. In speaking of alcohol we have made refer- 

 ence only to what is commonly referred to as grain, or ethyl, alco- 

 hol. There is another kind known as wood, or methyl, alcohol, 

 manufactured from wood fiber. Of late years this has come into 

 prominence owing to the widespread accounts in the daily papers 

 of deaths caused by its use. Wood alcohol is used in shellacs and 

 varnishes and as a fuel. It resembles grain alcohol in appearance 

 but it is extremely poisonous. 



SUMMARY 



Stimulants is a term given to substances that affect the nervous 

 system in such a way as to cause the organs of the body which 

 it controls to do extra work. 



The most common stimulants are tea, coffee, cocoa, chocolate, 

 and various forms of drink that contain alcohol. 



Tea and coffee, if properly prepared and used in moderate 

 quantities, are not usually harmful to adults. They should not be 

 used by children. Cocoa and chocolate used in moderate quanti- 

 ties are considered healthful. 



The use of alcoholic beverages has always been a source of 

 misery to humanity. 



Alcohol results from the fermentation of liquid solutions of 

 sugar or of other plant products which contain sugar. Fermen- 

 tation is due to the presence of yeast. 



Alcohol made from wood is used in shellacs and varnishes and 

 as a fuel. It resembles grain alcohol but is very poisonous. 



FACT AND THOUGHT QUESTIONS 



1. What is a stimulant? 



2. Are stimulants really foods? 



3. Why is the right food better than a stimulant during a period of 

 heavy work? 



4. Why, if one is tired, is nourishing, easily digested food better than 

 a stimulant? 



