CHAPTER XVII. 115 



Stimulants or narcotics at ttie present time form a feature in every 

 official ration known to me. 



Alcohol was formerly quite generally a part of both army and navy 

 rations. It is far less so now. Alcohol and tobacco are, however, still, 

 officially or unofficially, quite generally used by men in organized 

 bodies. In our California jails and penitentiaries these narcotics are 

 replaced by smuggled opium. This shows us that while corruption in 

 one place reduces or removes important parts of a ration, in another 

 it can add an injurious element. 



Alcohol is a narcotic as well as opium or tobacco. 

 We know by great numbers of experiments that all narcotics di- 

 minish physical power. All athletes are aware of this fact. I have 

 used a glass or two of claret at my dinner for many years. It is to me 

 a break or an ease-off of nerve strain. I know from repeated personal 

 experience on a measured track, with a time-keeper and stop-watch, 

 that even this amount of narcotic reduced my physical power. 



Smoking reduces my mental power. While smoking I am incapa- 

 ble of the same mental concentration on any difficult problem that I 

 am without it. I only notice this effect on occasions requiring continued 

 and concentrated effort. 



A brake is doubtless a good thing in its place. Going down hill 

 from my ranch to the railroad there is one mile of stiff grade. A brake 

 on my buggy gains me ten minutes' time on the drive. On the level, 

 or going up hill, a brake set would be a disadvantage. 



The narcotics, when we are off duty, may be an advantage, when 

 used with care, in removing nerve-strain. The trouble with them and 

 us is that we are so liable to use them to excess, or at inopportune 

 times. In this way we get a physical or nerve brake on, when we are 

 going up hill, to our very great injury. It is best to have none of them 

 in use when on duty. 



Smoking in our forests has the great disadvantage of its constant 

 liability to set fires. I put out a fire in the Yosemite Valley set by a 

 cigar stump, thrown out of a wagon just ahead of mine by one of the 

 commissioners. 



Last winter a small brush fire was caused in Eaton canyon by a 

 cigar stump thrown out by a tourist. 



I smoke myself, and consequently know what a tobacco prohibition 

 means. Prohibition of smoking by foresters is, however, the only safe 

 course. 



Tea and coffee should be our reliance for stimulant or restful in- 



