HEALTH AND WELL-BEING 79 



SUMMARY 



Alcohol and the narcotic drugs act powerfully upon the nerve centres 

 of the body. The effect is to deaden them temporarily. As a result 

 the activities of the various organs of the body are deranged, and the 

 energies of the body are used in overcoming the ill-effects experienced. 

 The irritated nerves in the various tissues affected by the alcohol rouse 

 the whole system to increased activities, and this is followed by a 

 period of depression both physical and mental. 



Any continued use either of alcohol or of any narcotic is likely to 

 produce such an irritated state of the nervous system as to demand 

 further deadening effects upon it to satisfy the "craving" that has 

 been aroused. The victim of the "drug habit" or of alcoholic drink 

 finds relief only in further indulgences. 



The protoplasm of the cells is harmfully affected, interfering with 

 the growth and nourishment of the brain and of the whole body. So 

 serious is this that the chances of recovery from sickness of any kind 

 is found to have been lessened by even moderate use of alcoholic drinks. 



The use of tobacco during youth interferes with growth as cell division, 

 stunting more or less the development of the brain and of the rest of 

 the body. 



Powerful drugs of any kind, including alcohol and the various nar- 

 cotics, should never be used save upon the written prescription of 

 a skilled physician, and only after a personal examination by him to 

 determine the exact nature of any ailment. It is but a remote chance 

 that the drugs contained in a patent medicine will prove the best 

 treatment for any one whose health is impaired. 



By reason of the stimulating effect of the alcohol contained in a 

 patent medicine, and the deadening effect of its narcotics on any pain 

 experienced, false hopes of recovery are aroused by its use only to be 

 cruelly disappointed. The time thus lost may make impossible any 

 recovery later even under skilled medical treatment. 



Soothing syrups and colic cures for infants, and headache powders 

 for adults, contain narcotics in varying proportions, and should never 

 be used save under medical advice. 



The introduction of anaesthetics for use in dentistry, in surgery, and 

 in medical practice generally, has conferred an almost priceless benefit 

 upon suffering humanity. 



Under the provisions of national legislation in the so-called Harrison 

 Act regulating the sale of narcotics, it is sought to have a written 

 record of sales from the importer or manufacturer to the consumer. 



