e relief afforded by most headache mixtures is due to
the presence of antipyrin or acetanilid, and it has been shown
conclusively that these drugs weaken heart action, diminish
circulation, reduce the number of red corpuscles in the blood, and
bring on a condition of chronic anemia. Pallid cheeks and blue lips
are visible evidence of the too frequent use of headache powders.

The labels required by law are often deceptive and convey no adequate
idea of the amount of drug consumed; for example, 240 grains of
acetanilid to an ounce seems a small quantity of drug for a powder,
but when one considers that there are only 480 grains in an ounce, it
will be seen that each powder is one half acetanilid.

Powders taken in small quantities and at rare intervals are apparently
harmless; but they never remove the cause of the trouble, and hence
the discomfort soon returns with renewed force. Ordinarily, hygienic
living will eliminate the source of the trouble, but if it does not, a
physician should be consulted and medicine should be procured from him
which will restore the deranged system to its normal healthy
condition.

243. Other Deceptions. Nearly all patent medicines contain some
alcohol, and in many, the quantity of alcohol is far in excess of that
found in the strongest wines. Tonics and bitters advertised as a cure
for spring fever and a worn-out system are scarcely more than cheap
cocktails, as one writer has derisively called them, and the amount of
alcohol in some widely advertised patent remedies is alarmingly large
and almost equal to that of strong whisky.

[Illustration: FIG. 161.--Diagram showing the amount of alcohol in
some alcoholic drinks and in one much used patent medicine.]

Some conscientious persons who would not touch beer, wine, whisky, or
any other intoxicating drink consume patent remedies containing large
quantities of alcohol and thus unintentionally expose themselves to
mental and physical danger. In all cases of bodily disorder, the only
safe course is to consult a physician who has devoted himself to the
study of the body and the methods by which a disordered system may be
restored to health.

CHAPTER XXVI

NITROGEN AND ITS RELATION TO PLANTS

244. Nitrogen. A substance which plays an important part in animal
and plant life is nitrogen. Soil and the fertilizers which enrich it,
the plants which grow on it, and the animals which feed on these, all
contain nitrogen or nitrogenous c