237.  The Cost of Health.  In the physical as in the financial world, nothing is to be had without a price.  Vigor, endurance, and mental alertness are bought by hygienic living; that is, by proper food, fresh air, exercise, cleanliness, and reasonable hours.  Some people wish vigor, endurance, etc., but are unwilling to live the life which will develop these qualities.  Plenty of sleep, exercise, and simple food all tend to lay the foundations of health.  Many, however, are not willing to take the care necessary for healthful living, because it would force them to sacrifice some of the hours of pleasure.  Sooner or later, these pleasure-seekers begin to feel tired and worn, and some of them turn to drugs and narcotics for artificial strength.  At first the drugs seem to restore the lost energy, and without harm; however, the cost soon proves to be one of the highest Nature ever demands.

238.  The Uncounted Cost.  The first and most obvious effect of opium, for example, is to deaden pain and to arouse pleasure; but while the drug is producing these soothing sensations, it interferes with bodily functions.  Secretion, digestion, absorption of food, and the removal of waste matters are hindered.  Continued use of the drug leads to headache, exhaustion, nervous depression, and heart weakness.  There is thus a heavy toll reckoned against the user, and the creditor is relentless in demanding payment.

Moreover, the respite allowed by a narcotic is exceedingly brief, and a depression which is long and deep inevitably follows.  In order to overcome this depression, recourse is usually had to a further dose, and as time goes on, the intervals of depression become more frequent and lasting, and the necessity to overcome them increases.  Thus without intention one finds one’s self bound to the drug, its fast victim.  The sanatoria of our country are crowded with people who are trying to free themselves of a drug habit into which they have drifted unintentionally if not altogether unknowingly.  What is true of opium is equally applicable to other narcotics.

239.  The Right Use of Narcotics.  In the hands of the physician, narcotics are a great blessing.  In some cases, by relieving pain, they give the system the rest necessary for overcoming the cause of the pain.  Only those who know of the suffering endured in former times can fully appreciate the decrease in pain brought about by the proper use of narcotics.

240.  Patent Medicines, Cough Sirups.  A reputable physician is solicitous regarding the permanent welfare of his patient and administers carefully chosen and harmless drugs.  Mere medicine venders, however, ignore the good of mankind, and flood the market with cheap patent preparations which delude and injure those who purchase, but bring millions of dollars to those who manufacture.

Practically all of these patent, or proprietary, preparations contain a large proportion of narcotics or stimulants, and hence the benefit which they seem to afford the user is by no means genuine; examination shows that the relief brought by them is due either to a temporary deadening of sensibilities by narcotics or to a fleeting stimulation by alcohol and kindred substances.