The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1864-04-22

ErrEcTs or ToDAcco UPON THE HrALrH.
The London Lancet in rofalring TO
the recent researches of DR. Richard
son with regard to the effects of to-
bacco upon the health, says:
On this inquiry every position has
been founded on individual research.
and though in some instances the re-
search has rested on the previous la
bors of other inquirers the evidence
has been confirmed by new observa-
ton Condensed into few sentences
the details of the recent inquiry will
be found in the following summary:
a. The effects that result from
smoking are due to different agents
imbibed by the smoker-viz., carbonic
acid ammonia, nicotine, volatile en-
pneumatic substance, and a bitter cx-
tract. The more common effects are
traceable TO the carbonic acid and
ammonia; the raror and more severe to
the nicotine, the cmpyroumatic sub
stance, and the extract
"2. The effects produced are very
transitory, the poison finding ready
exit from the body.
90. All the evils of smoking are func-
tional in character; and no confirmed
smoker can ever be said, so long as he
INDUCES in the habit, to be well. But
it does not follow that he is becoming
the subject of organic and fatal dis
eases because he smokes.
a. Smoking produces disturbances
in the blood Of the stomach, of the
heart, of the organs of sense, Of the
brain, of the nervous filaments and sym
pathetic or organic nerves, Of the mu-
cous membrane of the mouth, and OF
the bronchial surface of the lungs.
80. The statements to the effect that
tobacco-smoke causes specific disease
such rs insanity epilepsy, St Vitus's
dance, apoplexy, organic diseases Of
the heart, cancer, and consumption
have been made without any sufficient
evidence or reference to facts. AL
such statements are devoid of truth
and can never accomplish the object
which those who propose them have
in view.
"6. As the human body is main
tanned alive and in full vigor by its
capacity within certain well-defnec
limits to absorb and apply oxygen as
the process of oxidation is most ac
tive and most required in those peri
dds of life when the structures of til,
body are attaining their full develop
ment, and as tobacco-smoke possesses
the power Of arresting such oxydation
the habit of smoking is deleterious tC
the young.
az. In the main, smoking is a luxu
ny which any nation of natural habits
would be better without. The luxur.
is not directly fatal to life, but its ust
conveys to the mind of the man VIII,
looks upon it calmly the unmistakabl,
idea of physical detriment.
rs. But as a luxury tending to thi
condition, it is probably one of tn
least htutful Of Injuries. Iii on thi
ground, III fact that tobacco holds s,
firm a position; that of nearly ever,
luxury it is the least injurious. 1t i
innocuous as compared with alcohol
it does infinitely less harm than su
gar (?); it is in no sense worse THAI
tea; and, by the side of high living, al
together it contrasts most favorably
1t is most antidotal to gluttony.
80. Tobacco may also be considered
in certain cases, as a remedy for evil
that lie deeper down than its own
and as such remedy it will persist i
holding its place until those evils az
removed.
eve wish space permitted us to d
more ample justice to Dr. Richardson
inquiry The striking paradox in hi
statement regarding sugar, however
requires explanation.