=Cigarettes and Health.=--A cigarette is a tube of paper filled with tobacco. The tobacco is usually not so strong as that used in cigars and pipes. For this reason, boys like it better, and because it is so mild they draw the smoke down into the lungs. This gives the poison a better chance to be taken up by the blood. On this account, and because one is likely to smoke oftener when he smokes a small piece of tobacco, cigarettes are thought by some to be more harmful than the use of tobacco in pipes and cigars. =Tea and Coffee.=--Tea is made from the dried leaves of the tea plant. Tea plants are raised in North Carolina, China, and Japan. The drink called tea used at the table is made by pouring boiling water on the tea leaves. The leaves should not be boiled as this draws out a substance which keeps the stomach from doing its work in the right way. Coffee is the seed of a plant growing in South America and Asia. It is roasted, then ground, and boiled in water to make the drink called coffee. [Illustration: FIG. 43.--Branch of a tea plant.] [Illustration: FIG. 44.--Branch of a coffee plant with bunches of coffee berries near the bottom.] Children should not use either tea or coffee as they are likely to hurt the stomach and may injure the heart. One or two cups of tea or coffee daily seem to have little or no bad effect on the health of most grown persons. Coffee taken at supper may keep one awake by sending too much blood to the brain. =Opium and Morphine.=--Opium is a dangerous drug which is got from the heads of the white poppy plant grown mostly in the far East. From gashes cut in the poppy heads a juice runs out and hardens into a gum from which the pure drug is made. Some persons smoke opium for the drowsy and pleasant feeling it gives. Its use is very hurtful and ruins both body and mind. _Morphine_ is a pure form of opium. Persons take it to kill pain and make them sleep. You should never take it except when given by the doctor, as a habit is quickly formed which will make you miserable through life. =Patent Medicines.=--These are medicines advertised to cure ailments which generally cannot be cured by drugs. They are the medicines much advertised in the newspapers and magazines. Never use them unless your doctor tells you to do so. Many of them contain harmful drugs, such as morphine and alcohol. When you are sick, go to your doctor for advice. PRACTICAL QUESTIONS 1. Explain how tobacco is raised. 2. How is tobacco used? 3. How does tobacco affect a boy using it for the first time? 4. What is the name of the poison in tobacco? 5. Tell how tobacco keeps boys from growing. 6. What countries do not allow boys to use tobacco? 7. What is meant by being a slave to tobacco? 8. What is tea? 9. What is coffee? 10. Why should you not use opium or morphine? CHAPTER XII THE SKIN AND BATHING