Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1912-01-17
TIE STUDY OF PHYSIOLOGY AND
HYGIENE IN THE PUBLIC SCHOOL
A GREAT FACTOR IN THE PROF.
LENS OF MAKING A LIVING.

cotics upon the human system, in
all the public schools of the United
States.
Nearly four hundred years ago
Erasmus wrote: THE world is
waking out of long, deep sleep.
The old ignorance is still defended
with tooth and claw, but we have
kings and mobiles now on our side. "
With reference to the study of
Physiology and Hygiene in the pub
lie schools, it may be said that the
great commercial world is waking
out of long, deep sleep, and that
while the liquor interests are still
defended with tooth and claw we
now have capitalists, employers,
and captains of industry on our
side. The day has already come
wher the boy, who has not been
taught in the school room the truth
concerning the dangerous effects of
stimulants and narcotics, and who
has not made that instruction an un-
alterable part of character, has but
small chance of any place in the ac-
tivities of the business world. What
is the probability of his obtaining
employment with any railroad? The
New York Central system has this
rule: "The use of intoxicants by en-
ployes while on duty is prohibited.
Their habitual use, or the frequent
ing of places where they are sold, is
sufficient cause for dismissal" The
Boston and Maine railroad has the
same rule, as also the New York,
New Hampshire and Hudson. 1n-
deed, 90 per cent of the railroads
of the country demand total absti-
nence on the part of employees; pc
cause men, keen in business affairs,
have learned that alcohol, even in
moderate quantities, lessons the
function Of all the senses.
The knowledge Of this truth and
corresponding action regarding it is
no longer confined to the United
States, for the Prussian railway
management has issued orders for
bidding any engine driver, switch
man, or dispatcher, the use of beer
or spirits while on duty; and Cana
da says: If a locomotive engineer,
or train conductor is found drunk
while on duty, he shall be liable to
ten years imprisonment"
Supposing, however, the boy
wishes to become a telephone or
telegraph operator or even factory
worker, what are his chances of OBJ
tanning employment?
Since steam and electricity have
become the motive power of the in
dustrial world, managers of great
factories have studied the effects of
stimulants and narcotics and have
reached the conclusion that they
can employ no workmen whose
brains are not clear and whose
nerves are not steady where costly
equipment and the protection of
hundreds of lives are involved.
Therefore ;hese industrial managers
are demanding of their employees
what the Wyoming Light Compa-
ny of Wilkesbarre, Pa, demanded
of their linemen, that they sign
pledge to abstain from intoxicating
liquors while off, or on duty, or
leave their employ" In the business
world, banking interests are of pre-
eminent Importance. Here the NOR
al character of the employee must
be above reproach. Hence the rigid
rule of many of the larger banking
houses, that young men in their en-
ploy shall not simply abstain from
the use of all intoxicants, but to be
seen in any place where intoxicants
are sold, is sufficient warrant for
their dismissal. When engaged they
sign a contract to this effect.
Even in the pursuit of agriculture
the same result is being achieved.
Luther Burbank says that he can
prove that even the mild use of
stimulants and narcotics is incom-
padble with work requiring accur-
ate attention and definite concentra-
tion as is the work of budding. Men
fail here because of their inability
to concentrate their nerve force.
The result is, that from the truth
acquired as to the effects of stimu-
lants and narcotics upon the system,
we have II per cent of those en-
gagged in agriculture, 80 per cent
of those engaged in business and ss
per cent of the manufacturers of the
United States, demanding total ab-
stinence on the part of their work