328 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



it is well known that life insurance companies regard 

 policies upon the lives of drinking men even " moder- 

 ate drinkers" as involving "extra risk." Their figures 

 have convinced them that the man who uses no alcoholic 

 beverages is likely to live longer than one who does. 



477. Many believe that climate has much to do with 

 the influence of alcohol on the nervous system. Our 

 American climate is peculiarly stimulating to the nerves, 

 and our systems are, in consequence, less able to bear the 

 additional stimulation of exciting beverages, while the 

 narcotic effects take place more readily than in other 

 climates, and self-control is more easily overthrown. This 

 is another reason, to us, for shunning the acquisition of 

 the alcohol habit. 



The influence of race has also to do with the prevailing 

 use of strong drink and its evil effects. The Teutonic 

 peoples are recognized as "especially susceptible to the 

 taste for intoxicants, perhaps because of their eager crav- 

 ing for excitement, for action, for enterprise ; and because 

 of that very craving they can indulge with less safety the 

 appetite for stimulants. 



478. The Moral Effects of Alcoholic Poisoning concern the 

 individual himself, his family and friends, and the whole 

 community of which he is a member. 



The struggle of life grows more intense the world over ; 

 competition in all lines of effort is keener ; success is more 

 difficult. ' Every one has need of all his powers of mind 

 and body at their highest possible level of efficiency. A 

 man engaged in business needs every day and hour the 

 use of the very best and most careful judgment, lest a false 

 step the buying of goods at the wrong time, the selling 

 at the wrong price, a mistake as to quality or style, a 

 wrong estimate of the tendency of the market may 



