the science of deduction

My mind rebels at stagnation.

Give me problems,

Give me work,

Give me the most abstrustive cryptogram, or the most intricate analysis,

And I am in my own proper atmosphere.

But I uphor the dull routine of existence.

I crave for mental exaltation.

That is why I have chosen my own particular profession, or rather created it,

For I am the only one in the world.

Sherlock Holmes on Why he uses the cocaine (p10).