Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-05-30


waving. The same membrane which lines
the mouth, nose and all the other open
cavities about the head and face, sends
off duplicature through the wind pipe
which lines its interior, and all the 9th
er tubes and cells of the lungs. A du-
plicate of the same membrane goes down
through the pharynx and nsophagus Cor
swallow to the stomach, lines thc>waole
interior of this organ, and continues on
through, lining the inner portion of the
bowels through their whole extent. Now,
it can be easily perceived how the impress
sion of Tobacco when made upon this mu-
cous membrane either in the mouth, or
nose is so readily transmitted to the lungs,
stomach ahd bowels. BY sitIes power or
immutable physiological law, any impress
sion thus made will travel both by contin-
uous sympathy and by ciliary attraction
throughout all the different ramifcations
of this membrane
In addition to this, the nerves sent from
the Brain, and other parts, to this membrane,
divide and subdivide, anastimose and inter
twine until they form close upon the sur
face complete texture of network, invisi-
BILE to the natural eye. Hence we perceive
how the Tobacco impression made upon the
sentient extremities cf the nerves in the
mouth or nose, is so easily and speedily
transmitted to the Brain; and from thence,
is reflected throughout-and to every part
of the whole system.
The mucous membrane is an absorbing
surface-hence part.of the Tobacco prin-
ciple may be absorbed either from the mouth
nose, stomach, or any other part, in this
manner find its way into the blood and
thereby produce general disturbance Of
the circulation.
The Brain is not only the centre of the
nervous system, but the spinal naarrow and
all the nerves of the body come from, and
go back to that Organ, thus making it cog.
infant of any and every impression that
may be made, no matter how, nor upon
what part. Some Psychologists have regar-
ded the Brain as being nothing more mol
less, than an ingenious Gdlvanic Battera
with its thousands of nervous wires to trans
NIT and receive impressions and thereby
control the organism. Others have more
spiritually considered it as the seat of the
soul, esconced in its bony Throne, with it:
lnnumerable nerves as bride reins whereof,
1t runs the animal machine through thi:
world.
The nervous system is divided into TIVE
distinct classes, viz: nerves of Sensatio,
| and nerves of motion. No agent can i'm
pair the sensitive without more or less i'm
! pairing the motive powers, because the lat
f ter IN many instances depend on the former
d but any agent that acts prirparily upon, an
: lmpairs the nerves of motility, will at tn
: same time increase and give a morbid ton
to the nerves of sensibility. The disease
and arrangements which accompany th
;. weakened powers of life often prove to tn
: sensitive powers fruitful source of irrita
tion.
5 The sedative effect of some agents, as Q
/ opium, is chiefly exerted on the sensibilit
e OF others, as tobacco on the moving pow
- ers of the animal system. The influence c
:. the former, therefore, may be salutary
/ while that of the latter, except under yer
q peculiar circumstances, is always pernicious
! The sedative properties of tobacco bein
# invariably manifested upon the motive pow
IS ers of the nervous system, it may be readil
f understood, how it produces Neuralgia
J. Palsy, St. Ktus' Dance, and other di.ea
es Of like nature
Z In some constitutions of Dropsical tel
ic dency the moderate use of tobacco, so as
d secure its dieuretic effects, may perhaps |
# beneficial, and this is all that can be sal
m in behalf of its habitual employment. Ar
even here, its deleterious effects upon IL
NJ. nervous energies, may far more than cou
!. terbahrce the good which it does.
n TO BE CONTINUED.