Perth Amboy evening news., 1911-01-21
will power or neurotic family history
can afford to take the chances.

will power or neurotic family history
can afford to take the chances.
Narcotics.
Opium. cocaine. choral, bromides.
all are employed either to relieve bod
lily pain or stife the overinsfsteRt and
worrying hcain But, as tn the case of
alcohol, the relief brought by these
drugs IS usually paid for at q high
rate of interest. In fact, the troubles
which are temporarily forced into the
background by such indulgence seem
to grow In direct proportion to the
degree of indulgence and simply await
the reckoning day. when the long evad-
ed life burden must be taken up with
Its added weight or life's journey for
ever terminated.
These remarks do not apply, of
course. to the intelligent and proper
administration of such remedies by a
physician. 1t Is part of a physicians
duty to relieve pain. both mental and
physical, but It too often happens that
n narcotic properly administered in
n instance Is c~arelessly again taken
without medical advice, and the foun-
dation of a lifelong habit is laid.
Headache Remedies.
A great deal of harm is done by the
self administration of headache reme-
dies, mostly of <the coal tar class.
These remedies have their place, but
should he used under a physicians
guidance. Many headaches can be re-
lteyed by simple remedies. Bathing
the forehead with a little bay rum or
rubbing with a menthoi pencil. simple
rest or a dose of salts Will often prove
sufficient. The constant use OF head
ache remedies is moro than likely to
prove Irritating to the kidneys. aside
from the depressing action on the
heart. Aromatic ammonia, ~strychnfne
or some other heart stimuIant Should
always be within the reach Of those
who are SO Ill advised as TO 5 head
ache powders more or less regularly.
The causes OF headaches are so nu-
range of diseased conditions. So cali
ed "biliousness' is one of the common
causes. This Is nothing other than
poisoning from the retained products
Of Indigestion. Bile may have little
or nothing to do with it, but caIomel
or some other brisk evaeuant viii
clear the system of the poison and re-
lieye the symptoms.
Eye strain is also q very frequent
cause of headache. The folly of swal-
lowing drugs to relieve such trouble
is evident. 1t is comparable to knock
ing a mar insensible in order to relieve
his pain. Properly fitted glasses win
usually relieve eye strain. But in
some cases eye strain Is due to overuse
or improper use of the eyes. Such
cases are readily relieved by rest and
attention to proper illumination or po-
sition while reading.
Abuse Of c~athartics.
As a rule. cathartics should Only be
used as emer gency remedies in acute
conditions, as colds, biliousness, indi-
g~stfon. etc. s tendency to costive
ness can usually be overcome by nat
ural remedies. Dragging the bowels
is very much like dragging the usrv-
ous systematic drug becomes
ter. but the time comes when the slave
will I'D obey the master and a coadi
tion of semisparalysis Of the bowel
function exists.
II treating constipation It should DE.
remembered that the intestine Is a
long muscular tube. This muscle is
what is known as an involuntary"
muscle. o under the control Of the
will. but acting refiexIy. Certain cen
ters In the spinal cord preside over the
bowel function and respond to certain
stimuli. One of these stimuli Ia the
presence OF a certain volume OF waste
matter in the bowel Another Is the
tendency to r~hythmicai action Of the
spinal center. In other words, spinal
centers form habits, Just the same as
brain centers, and ff accustomed to
act at a particular time each day will
contrive to do so If permitted.
The value Of a fairly general mixed
diet Is evident when the structure and
function of the bowel are considered.
ociASShltu trut SaiStSt Atua NOu1Ah
soon abolish the bowel function. Some
people eat too little waste matter.
Their food is mostly meat and pota-
toes. A generous allowance of fruit
and green vegetables. especially spin
ach. and the free use of water be-
tween meals will act like magic in such
cases. The use of drugs is irrational
and positively harmful.
Tea, Coffee and Tobacco.
The use of tea, coffee and tobacco in.
moderation caunet be regarded as
harmful, but even the term ''modera-
ton is here used ia a positive sense.
No doubt much dyspepsia and nervous
arrangement are due to the abuse of
these fragrant and cheering sub
stances What constitutes abuse can
only be determined by experiment in
each individual case For the average
man one cup of coffee at breakfast and
a demitasse in the evening should be
sufficient. Two cups OF coffee or tea
contain a pretty generous dose of the
drug caffeine and amount to d~rugging
the nervous system.
Tobacco should also be used accord
Ing to personal susceptibility. a cigar
after eaeh meal viii not, as g rule. In
jGre theS average man, although some
are better OF without tobacco or with