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Chapter 26—Stimulants and Narcotics
Under the head of stimulants and narcotics is classed a great
variety of articles that, altogether used as food or drink, irritate the
stomach, poison the blood, and excite the nerves. Their use is a
positive evil. Men seek the excitement of stimulants, because, for
the time, the results are agreeable. But there is always a reaction.
The use of unnatural stimulants always tends to excess, and it is an
active agent in promoting physical degeneration and decay.
Condiments
In this fast age, the less exciting the food, the better. Condiments
are injurious in their nature. Mustard, pepper, spices, pickles, and
other things of a like character, irritate the stomach and make the
blood feverish and impure. The inflamed condition of the drunk-
ard’s stomach is often pictured as illustrating the effect of alcoholic
liquors. A similarly inflamed condition is produced by the use of irri-
tating condiments. Soon ordinary food does not satisfy the appetite.
The system feels a want, a craving, for something more stimulating.
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Tea and Coffee
Tea acts as a stimulants and, to a certain extent, produces in-
toxication. The action of coffee and many other popular drinks is
similar. The first effect is exhilarating. The nerves of the stomach
are excited; these convey irritation to the brain, and this in turn is
aroused to impart increased action to the heart and short-lived energy
to the entire system. Fatigue is forgotten; the strength seems to be
increased. The intellect is aroused, the imagination becomes more
vivid.
Because of these results, many suppose that their tea or coffee is
doing them great good. But this is a mistake. Tea and coffee do not
nourish the system. Their effect is produced before there has been
time for digestion and assimilation, and what seems to be strength
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