The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-05-05
The Proper Use ofTobaeeo.

In the Northern Monthly for NAV q
physician expresses, in an article enti-
tied "The Proper Use of Stimulants
and Narcotics" very different opin-
Ions from those generally entertained
by members of the medical profession.
We present some of his remarks upon
the tobacco question:
Tho experience of those who use to-
bacco confirms the deductions of scien-
tlflc experiment. 1t is fact, which
every one can observe for himself, that
tobacco is kind of substitute for food.
Those who chew or smoke very freely
| find that they need less nutriment than
whom they entlIely abstain; and there
are many who prefer to lose a meal
than their regular pipe or cigar. Con-
tirmed snuff-takers are usually quite
| moderate eaters. 1t is the experience
of nearly all tobacco-user5 that 1t sus-
tains the body and the mind. It ap,
pears to act both as stiumlant and as
narcotic. 1t thuscombines in very
mild degree, the yirtuesIof alcohol and
opium. 1t varies, however, in its eff
fects with different individuals and in
different states OF the system, fully as
markedly as opium or alcohol, tea or
coffee. For some 1t acts as a soother,
quieting the mind after trial and IA
tlgue, and. calming the fretted, aching
nerves. Others it stimulates to under
take hard tasks that require unusual
will. Some take cigar before retiring
to insure speedy and refreshing sleep;
others TO keep them awake in long
nightly vigils. To many an early
morning smoke is an almost indis-
pensable preparation for the duties of
the day; others take up their pipe or
quid only at evening, as means of
rest, when their tasks are all over. To
many, unfortunately, tobacco is as
necessary as their daily bread, so that
without it they can neither labor with
their brains nor hands; Others resort to
1t only in special crises that severely
strain the powers of thought, action or
feeling.
BY the majority all these quieting
and stimulating effects of tobacco can
be realized without experienciDg there
from any unpleasant reaction or any
permanent injury to the constitution.
There are comparatively few constl-
tutions upon whom moderate amount
of smoking, chewing, or snu1iug oper-
ates otherwise than beneficiary. say
moderate with strong emphasis, for
any persistent excess in the use of to-
bacco, as of other forms of accessory
food-alcoholic, opium, tea, andIcofee
lis sure to be followed by the mani.
festations of nervous arrangements,
though in many instances It is not until
after years of indulgence that the pun
ishment is fully realized. The remark
of Anne of Austria, God does not pay
at the end of every week, but he pays
at last" applies with terrible force to
the violation of natures laws in the
use of stimulants and narcotics.
Those of nervous, delicate organiZa-
tions are less liable to abuse tobacco
than the hardy and unimpressible,
since the slightest excess is apt to be
falNF aNrN
compels them to be cautious for the
future.
Tobacco can be used more freely by
the phlegmatic than by the nervous.
We should also graduate our indul-
gence in the use Oft by the climate in
which we live and by the state of the
atmosphere. Smokers often say that
they can consume more cigars in damp,
foggy weather, than in that which is
bright and clear.
Tobacco, like alcohol and coffee, can
be used more literally in warm lati-
tudes, where the perspiration is active,
than in the temperate polar regions.
The further north we 90, the greater the
necessity of caution in the use of all
stimulants and narcotics. The classes
most likely TO use tobacco to excess are
students, literary and professional men,
who are usually SO situated that they
can smoke while they work, and to
whom, on account of their continuous
mental activity, the soothing and
stimulating effects OF tobacco are es-
pecially grateful. One of the best safe
guards against the excessive use of to-
bacco, is an occupation which does not
allow us to smoke or chew during
working hours. Comparatively few
are injured by their regular pipe or
cigar after meals, or when the days
College students are more apt.to use
tobacco to excess in the way of smo-
king than any other class of brain
workers, since they can keep their pipe
or cigar in action during all their hours
of study; but they are rarely markedly
or at least permanently injured by
their Indulgence, for the reason thai
the activities OF their professional life
early force them either to abstinence oil
moderation.
| have said that as a rule the nervous
and delicate are more susceptible to the
influence OF tobacco than the hardy and
the phlegmatic; but there are excep'
tons on both sides.
Then, again, there are Compartments
who from some peculiarly of their or
| ganization cannot endure tobacco In
any form. AT no period in my life
have been able to smoke even the
| mildest cigar, without experiencing
| immediate. and oftentimes long contin-
ued uneasiness. have frequently eX-
perlmented with smoking, in order to
test its physiological effects, and have
always found that though 1t gave In
tensity and clearness TO the mental OPP
| eratIons, vet its Influence on tsle
nervous and digestive systems especia!:
| ly were SO pernicious, that feel posi-
| tive that even very moderate indul-
pence in the use of the weed for any
| length of time, would undermine my
constitution. Whatever may say,
then, in opposition to the views OF the
| extremists, cannot at least be regarded
as a special plea. My own case Is eS-
centional. Although I am continually
seeing the worst effects from the tnor-
dinate use of tobacco; although anl
consulted for cases OF paralysis OF
neuralgia, or dyspepsia, of amaurosls,
and of general nervous arrangement,
| that are brought on or aggravated py
incorporate chewing or smoking; anu
although am persistently urGlng
upon such patients the necessity o.
moderation or of total abstinence, yet
ann firm in the conviction founded on
careful study and observation that the
great majority even of our suscePtlpIi .e
| Americans can use this narcouo IN
habitual moderation, without e1Pe-
riencing any but agreeable and salu-
/ tary effects, either temporarily or per.
manently. Indeed, 1 can but teel tnh ma
the Introduction of tobacco INTO Jul
modern civilization has been reaidy Il. q
great blessing, by checking the Is 49,
nraventino the habitual use of opium;
| The Impression is quite prev alent,, l dnG
/ mas never been disputed, that srn .ols X
/ and chewing lead to drinking. ous ~ ~
| ohseryation shows that there no
necessary connection between Inese