The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1912-07-18

Narcotics.
Opium, cocaine, choral, bromides,
all are employed either TO relieve bod.
lily pain or stifie the overinsistent and
worrying brain. But, as In the case of
alcohol, the relief brought by these
drugs Is usually paid for at n high
rate Of interest. In fact, the troubles
which are temporarily forced into the
background by such indulgence seem
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 n
physician. II is part Of a physicians
duty to relieve pain, both mental and
physical, but It too often happens that
a narcotic properly administered In
one instance Is careiessly again taken
without medical advice, and the foun-
dalton Of lifelong habit Is laid.
Headache Remedies.
A great deal Of harm is done by the
self administration of headache rene
dies, mostly of the coal tar class.
These remedies have their place, but
should be used under a physicians
guidance. Many headaches can be re-
lieved by simple remedies. Bathing
the forehead with a little bay rum or
rubbing with a menthol pencil, simple
rest or dose of salts will often prove
sufficient. The constant use of head
ache remedies Is more than likely to
prove irritating to the kidneys, aside
from the depressing action on the
heart. Aromatic ammonia, strychninc
or some other heart stimulant should
always be within the reach of those
ache powders more or less regularly.
The causes Of headaches are so nu-
merous as to cover almost the entire
range of diseased conditions. So call
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 some other brisk evacuant will
clear the system Of the poison and re-
lieve the symptoms.
Eye strain is also a very frequent
cause Of headache. The folly of swal-
lowing drugs to relieve such trouble
Is evident. 1t is comparable to knock
ing a man insensible in order to relieve
hfo main prnparIv Rfta1 gIooSao mill
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 cathsrties.
As q rule, cathartics should only be
used as emergency remedies in acute
conditions, as colds, biliousness, indi-
gestion, etc. A tendency to costive-
ness can usually be overcome by nat
ural remedies. Dragging the bowels
Is very much like drugging the nerv-
GUS systematic drug becomes mas
ter, but the time comes when the slave
will not obey the master, and a condi-
ton of semi-paralysis Of the bowel
function exists.
In treating constipation 1t should be
remembered that the intestine is
long muscular tube. This muscle is
what is known as an involuntary"
muscle, not under the control of the
will, but acting reflexly. Certain cen
ters In the spinal cord preside over the
bowel function and respond to certain
stimuli. One Of these stimuli is the
presence Of certain volume Of waste
matter In the bowel. Another is the
tendency to rhythmical action Of the
spinal center. In other words, spinal
centers form habits, just the same as
brain centers. and il accustomed to
act at particular time each day will
contrive to do so II permitted.
The value of fairly general mixed
diet is evident when the structure and
function of the bowel are considered
Concentrated. predigested food would
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 cannot be regarded as
harmful, but even the term "modera-
ton" is. here used In a positive sense.
No doubt much dyspepsia and nervous
arrangement are due to the abuse OF
these fragrant and cheering SUBJ
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 pretty generous dose Of the
drug caffeine and amount to drugging
the nervous system.
Tobacco should, also Be used accord
ing to personal susceptibility. A cigar
after each meal will not, as a rule, In
Jure the average man, although some
are better OF without tobacco or with
an allowance Of one cigar after dinner.