The Waterbury Democrat., 1932-12-16
SHOULD CHILDREN TAKE TEA OR
 COFFEE?

Here is q letter from girl probably 12 or 1S years old but with the mentality of one 16 to IS. At least shc writes perfect letter, and average to do that.
 My Dear Dr Brady
 Our class had q, discussion on the subject
 of tea and coffee Tour teacher tried to con-
 vince us that we should not drink it, but
 think she failed.
 not wanting children to drink tea or coffee?
 The children in our class are between the
 ages of 12 and 13 and some of them drink It
 at breakfast time.
 If you will prove to them that it is not good for their health will be very grateful.
 Very truly yours
 A cup of coffee contains a fair medicinal dose of caffeine, an alka1oid of the same class as strychnine morphine. atrophine etc though caffeine is comparatively nonpoisonous The purpose for which physicians administer the drug caffeine by mouth or by hypodermic injection is. stimulation. It stimulates the heart; 1t stimulates the cerebrum it stimulates the spinal cord; it stimulates the kidneys
 cup of tea contains small dose of a sim liar alkaloid called theine Though theine Is not used in medicine, it's effects are similar Ill all respects to those of caffeine, tea being some- what milder than coffee.
 It is conceivable that in certain circum- stances these beverages or drugs might be ben efcal. for a child, but that would be a matter for the physician to decide. Certainly the ef- fleets of tea or coffee are not desirable Tor the children under 16 years of age should not take tea or coffee.
 If children must have abeverage other than water, soup. milk or any fresh fruit juice in season, cocoa or chocolate Is less injurious to them than is tea or coffee. But when child Is given cocoa or chocolate as beverage the greater the amount of milk or cream and the less chocolate or cocoa in the drink the better for health. Often the child who has been spoiled at home will refuse to take plain milk as a beverage, in school or elsewhere, but if the milk is favored with caramel (burnt sugar) or with chocolate or cocoa the theoretically trained youngster will take 1t without the usual fuss.
 cord They increase what we call reflex activ- ity, and that. in popular language, means tea or coffee makes you nervous" restless. twitchy jumpy, irritable. cranky. Tn childhood the kidney function is plenty and 1t is sheer mischief to stimulate it. Nor is there any sound reason for stimulat- | ing the heart and increasing the blood pres sure of normal child. QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS What to Teach, What to Teach | teach general science and the head of my department kindly though perhaps not wisely allows me to teach what choose under the | candidness and respect your opinions. What do you advise me to teach high school freshmen? | Miss H. E. H.)
 l Answer--Candidly don't think it matters fl q course in general science" That's all hum- bug education. in my opinion. l Dampncss Is Hcalthful l My husband suffers from nasal catarrh We live on the river and the dampness docs seem to make it worse. (P. J. TJ | Answer-No, am certain dampness has nc | such influence Invalids or valetudinarians who are obsessed with the fear of dampness often enjoy improved health. after they move Ito a drier climate. But that I am convinced | is logically due to the fact that they live out. doors more hours when they're not afraid Bof the imaginary evils of damDness and chiii-