and the Nervous System.*--Alcohol, as already shown, injures
practically all portions of the body; but it has its worst effects upon
the nervous system. Through its action on this system, it interferes with
the circulation of the blood, produces a condition of "temporary insanity"
called intoxication, weakens the will, and eventually dethrones the
reason. Worst of all, it produces a condition of "chronic poisoning" which
manifests itself in an unnatural craving, and this causes it to be used by
the victim even when he knows he is "drinking to his own destruction."
Though its use in small quantities does not, as a rule, produce such
marked effects upon the nervous system, it develops the "craving," and
this is apt in time to lead to its use in larger quantities. But even if
this does not occur, the practice is objectionable for its unhygienic
effects in general.(111) Tippling with such mild solutions of alcohol as
light wine, beer, and hard cider is, for these reasons, a dangerous
pastime.

*Alcohol and Crime.*--It is sometimes stated that no one who leaves alcohol
alone will be injured by it. This is true only of its direct effects; not
of its indirect effects. Whenever a crime is committed somebody is
injured, and alcohol is known to be a chief cause of crime. Alcohol causes
crime through the loss of self-control, seen especially in intoxication,
and also because of the moroseness and quarrelsomeness which it developes
in certain individuals. Indirectly it causes crime through the poverty
which it engenders and through its influence in bringing about social
conditions out of which crime develops. Everything considered, the free
use of alcohol is incompatible with the nervous health and moral tone of a
community.

*Nicotine and the Nervous System.*--Nicotine is an oily substance which is
extracted from the tobacco plant. Its action on the nervous system is in
general that of a poison. Taken in small quantities, it is a mild
stimulant and, if the doses are repeated, a habit is formed which is
difficult to break. Tobacco is used mainly for the stimulating effect of
this drug. While not so serious in its results as the alcohol and other
drug habits, the use of tobacco is of no benefit, is a continual and
useless expense, and, in many instances, causes a derangement of the
healthy action of the body.(112) With the bad effects of the nicotine must
be included those of questionable substances added to the tobacco by the
manu