omehow feels justified when she extracts it from plant products in the
regular preparation of the meal.

*Counts against Caffeine.*--People of vigorous constitutions and of active
outdoor habits are injured but slightly, if at all, by either tea or
coffee when these are used in moderation. As already stated (pages 56,
167, 326, 329), they do harm when used to excess and, in special cases, in
very small amounts, in one of the following ways:--

1. By stimulating the nervous system, thereby causing nervousness and
insomnia and interfering with vital organs.

2. By introducing a waste which forms uric acid into the body, thereby
throwing an extra burden upon the organs of elimination.

In this connection it may also be stated that there appears to be little,
if any, real advantage to the healthy body from the use of either tea or
coffee, beyond that of temporary stimulation and the gratification of an
appetite artificially acquired. Hence the large sums of money expended for
these substances in this country yield no adequate returns.

*Caffeine Restrictions Necessary.*--Though with many the cup of tea or
coffee at breakfast does no harm, but gives an added pleasure to the meal,
there is no question but that the use of caffeine beverages should be
greatly curtailed. Children should not be permitted to drink either tea or
coffee. Brain workers and indoor dwellers generally should use these
substances very sparingly, and people having a tendency to indigestion,
nervousness, constipation, rheumatism, or diseases of the heart, kidneys,
or liver frequently find it best to omit them altogether.

*Caffeine and "Soft" Drinks.*--Recently the practice has sprung up of using
caffeine as a constituent of certain drinks supplied at the soda-water
fountains. Such drinks usually purport to be made from the kola nut, which
contains caffeine, or to consist of extracts from the plants which yield
cocoa and chocolate, when in reality they consist of artificial mixtures
to which caffeine has been added. Those using these beverages are
stimulated as they would be by tea or coffee and soon acquire the habit
which makes them regular customers. Chief harm comes to the children who
frequent the soda fountains and to those who, on account of constitutional
tendencies, should avoid caffeine in all of its forms. It is generally
understood that the so-called "soft" drinks are harmless. If this
reputation is to be maintained, those containing caffei