THE GENERAL PROBLEM OF KEEPING WELL 417 



but not their agreeable flavors. Less injurious, on the 

 whole, than either alcohol or tobacco, caffeine has come 

 into general use in much the same way as these substances. 

 In a sense, however, caffeine is more deceptive than either 

 alcohol or nicotine, because the usual mode of preparing 

 tea and coffee gives them the appearance of real foods. 

 The housewife who would feel condemned in purchasing 

 caffeine put up as a drug somehow feels justified when 

 she extracts it from plant products in the regular prepara- 

 tion of the meal. 



Counts against Caffeine. People of vigorous constitu- 

 tions and of active outdoor habits are injured but slightly, 

 if at all, by either tea or coffee when these are used in 

 moderation. As already stated (pages 56, 167, 326, 329), 

 they do harm when used to excess and, in special cases, in 

 very small amounts, in one of the following ways : 



1. By stimulating the nervous system, thereby causing 

 nervousness and insomnia and interfering with vital organs. 



2. By introducing a waste which forms uric acid into 

 the body, thereby throwing an extra burden upon the 

 organs of elimination. 



In this connection it may also be stated that there ap- 

 pears to be little, if any, real advantage to the healthy 

 body from the use of either tea or coffee, beyond that of 

 temporary stimulation and the gratification of an appetite 

 artificially acquired. Hence the large sums of money 

 expended for these substances in this country yield no 

 adequate returns. 



Caffeine Restrictions Necessary. Though with many the 

 cup of tea or coffee at breakfast does no harm, but gives 

 an added pleasure to the meal, there is no question but 

 that the use of caffeine beverages should be greatly cur- 

 tailed. Children should not be permitted to drink either 



