Delaware gazette. [volume] (Delaware, Ohio) 1855-1886, 1868-09-04
From the W. c. Advocate
Why I Cannot Use Tobacco.

l. Its use is expensive, and I do not
know how to spare the money. Money
/ find exceedingly convenient and use
full. There is scarcely q day do not
wish had more than can command.
would like more for my own personal
use, and for the use of my family
There are many ways in which we
could expend it greatly to our gratifica-
tion and benefit. Then, I have some
neighbors who really need help. God
pity them, for many of them have but
few comforts. There are also many no
BILE Christian enterprises which can be
carried forward only by voluntary con-
tributions, and many of these are ac-
conplishing but little of what they
would had they more means. No, I can
not afford it. Let those use it who can,
and who at the same time believe that
in so doing they are honoring the Lord
with their substance.
2. 1t is uncleanly,
3. 1t is often offensive to others.
4. It is injurious to health. 1t is a
well established fact, that no poison can
be habitually taken into the human
system, even in small quantities, with
out producing deleterious results. To-
bacco contains some of the most viru-
lent pOisOns known to science. Its ef-
fects upon the system are thus describ-
ed in Grimth's Medical Botany : Gin
doses it causes a sensation of heat in
the throat, with some nausea, and sense
of swimming in the head, followed by
diuresis, and sometimes bV purgatiOn,
In larger quantities it induces much
nausea, vomiting, and purging, with
giddiness, and feeling of sinking at
the pit of the stomach; pulse becomes
small and weak, the surface cold and
cIammy, the respiration impeded, and
sometimes c0nVu1slYe actions of the
muscles. In over-doses these symptoms
are increased, paralysis and coma en-
fO1 hrrG al r4rOTN
of a concentrated solution will take the
life of a dog almost instantly. That its
habitual use, either in chewing or
smoking, is a fruitful source of diseases
of the stomach, brain, and heart, is too
we'll established to admit of doubt
Health is too precious to be thus use
lessly sacrificed.
5. 1t sbortens lie and wish to live
as long as possible. 1t was the opinion
of John Quincy Adams that the aver
age of human life is shortened five
years by it's use. Some good authori-
ties say ten.
6. 1t seriously and injuriously affects
the mind. Like its very intimate asso-
ciate, alcohol, il is a deceiver. 1t gives
a satisfied assurance and promises
much, but its assurance gives place to
fear and distrust, and its promises end
in disappOintment.
Let me enforce these positions by
some authorities. Says Chief Justice
Parker: 81 have observed particular
ly the effect of tobacco upon students
and members of the legal profession,
and am satisfied its habitual use has
done more injury to them personally
and professionally, than can be justly
ascri bed to intoxicating drinks. 1t OPP
crates Immediately upon the ner-
vous system, and produces timidity
and want of 'self-reliance that etfectual-
ly preclude the young practitioner from
venturing upon the higher walks of his
profession. This nervousness will be
found to exist in persons of all ages, in
the profession, who use tobacco ha oltu-
ally. have found but few exceptions"
These remarks of Judge Parker are
strikingly illustrated in the experience
of the Hon NJ. Sanford, who through
the baneful influence of tobacco, was
com PEELED to retire from The profession
of the law, and to resign his seat in the
Senate of the State of New York. He
says of himself: "My experience in
the use of tobacco has been sad, very
sad. 1t has turned into bitterness the
healthful current of my life, sowed the
seeds Of disease through my whole sys-
tenn, and brought me down from the
summit of nigh health and robust
strength to the borders of the grave. -
Abandoning the use of tobacco, he soon
recovered his health, and returned with
much satisfaction and success to the
practice of his profession.
Says the distinguished PROF. Charle5
/ A. Lee, M. D.: 81 have witnessed nu-
merouS cases of disease brought on by
| the use of tobacco. Some of the worst
| cases of dyspepsia 1 have ever attended
owed their origin to its use. Nervous
! diseases / have also often found Occa-
stoned by the same article. Diseases of
/ the heart, do not question, often arI-
/ Sc from the use of tobacco. 1 do think
! its continued use shOrtcns life." Ed
ward @. DelaYan says: 81 have no
more doubt that even what is called the
moderate use of tobacco shortens life,
| than I have that moderate use of rum
/ shortens life." Says DR.. Speed: Il
have no doubt that its continued mod
crate use does shorten life, that it brings
| on innumerable and fatal diseases, and
always Rggravates those brought on by
/ other causes" Volumes might be filled
I with similar testimonies. Innummera-
/ ble cases might also be given ofthe ben
efts resulting from abandoning the use
of the nOxious weed.
AS an educator l have been led to
carefully observe the influence of tobac-
co especially upon students and profess
siouaI men, and I am fully convinced
! that it is evil, and only evil. My con-
science would no more allow me to use
it in any form, than it would allow me
to use Intoxicating drinks. And yet
many good men do use it. And go
good men once used intoxicating
drinks. The time will come when both
alike will be discarded. When it
comes there will be far less suffering
and crime than now. f. MERRICK.
II