74 



POOD ACCESSOEIES 



tard, etc.), acid condiments (vinegar, lemon juice, pickles, 

 etc.), the salts, and sugars. 



Stimulants. — This is the name applied to substances 

 which excite cells to action without furnishing them 

 material with which to develop heat and energy. They 

 produce their effect through action upon the nervous 

 system. Of all the substances included in this group it 

 may be said that, while in small amounts they are harm- 

 less and may even be beneficial, in excess they are dan- 

 gerous to the best health of the body. The main reason 

 for their injurious action lies in the fact that while a little 

 stimtdation is sometimes necessary, an excess soon causes 

 a weakening of the powers of the cells affected, and leaves 

 the body in a worse state than before the use of the stimu- 

 lants. In this respect, their action is like the application 

 of the whip to a horse. A little use may produce good 

 results, but excess soon exhausts the powers of the animal. 

 It is generally agreed by all health authorities that the 

 use of stimulants should be avoided by the growing 

 child. 



Tea, coffee, and cocoa or chocolate owe their stimu- 

 lating effect to certain principles which they contain 

 (caffein in tea and coffee, theobromin in cocoa and choc- 

 olate). These principles cause an increase in the blood 

 flow, the tired cells are supplied with more food from the 

 blood, and the sense of fatigue disappears for the time. 

 While such stimulation may be necessary at times for the 

 adult, it is always better to secure the stimulation through 

 natural means such as exercise or by allowing the cells 

 to rest. Beef extracts were formerly supposed to contain 

 much nourishment. It is now known that their sole 

 claim to value lies in their action as a stimulant. In cases 



