The sickness is really the way in which the boy's body is trying to say to him: "There is danger here; you are playing with poison. Let me stop you before great harm is done." Perhaps you will say: "I have seen men smoke cigars, even four or five in a day, and it didn't kill them." It did not kill them, because they did not swallow the nicotine. They only drew in a little with the breath. But taking a little poison in this way, day after day, can not be safe, or really helpful to any one. REVIEW QUESTIONS. 1. What did the farmer plant instead of corn, wheat, and potatoes? 2. What was done with the tobacco leaves? 3. What is the name of the poison which is in tobacco? 4. How much of it is needed to kill a dog? 5. What harm can the nicotine in one cigar do, if taken pure? 6. Tell the story of the visit to the snuff mill. 7. Why are boys made sick by their first use of tobacco? 8. Why does not smoking a cigar kill a man? 9. What is said about a little poison? CHAPTER IX. OPIUM. [Illustration: A]LCOHOL and tobacco are called narcotics (nar kŏt´iks). This means that they have the power of putting the nerves to sleep. Opium (ō´pĭ ŭm) is another narcotic. It is a poison made from the juice of poppies, and is used in medicines. Opium is put into soothing-syrups (sĭr´ŭps), and these are sometimes given to babies to keep them from crying. They do this by injuring the tender nerves and poisoning the little body. How can any one give a baby opium to save taking patient care of it? Surely the mothers would not do it, if they knew that this soothing-syrup that appears like a friend, coming to quiet and comfort the baby, is really an enemy. [Illustration: _Don't give soothing-syrup to children._] Sometimes, a child no older than some of you are, is left at home with the care of a baby brother or sister; so it is best that you should know about this dangerous enemy, and never be tempted to quiet the baby by giving him a poison, instead of taking your best and kindest care of him. REVIEW QUESTIONS. 1. What is a narcotic? 2. Name three narcotics? 3. From what is opium made? 4. For what is it used? 5. Why is soothing-syrup dangerous? CHAPTER X. WHAT ARE ORGANS? [Illustration: A]N organ is a part of the body which has some special work to do. The eye is the organ of sight. The stomach (stŭm´ăk) is an organ which takes care of the food we eat. THE TEETH. [Illustration: _Different kinds of teeth._] Your teeth do not look alike, since they must do different kinds of work. The front ones cut, the back ones grind.