Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1869-06-10
From the New York Observer
POISON AND IT'S EFFECTS
BY WILLIAM PARKER, NJ. D.

! Wnlcn, Wnen taken lhlO the system
is capable Of destroying life"
Tobacco comes under the head 0
poisons-a poison BY nature. Th,
ultimate c.yments Of many sub
stances, even &C the air we breathe
can be so combined in di1eren
proportions, as to become poisons
but these we distinguish from
those which are natural.
We have many poisons; as the
small pox poison, scarlatina, the
diptheria poison, syphilis, lead,
arsenic, prussic acid poison, mala.
ria, alcohol, opium, strychnine
etc.
The word health expresses a per
feet physiological state Of the sys
TEN. 1t is impossible to go above
this point, and whenever we eat OF
drink or work, oil in any way fall
below this physiological range, we
create a diseased state, varying on
ly in degrees.
A small amount Ct poison can be
introduced into the system when in
a state of health, and diminish the
vigor in only a limited decree, yet
still diminish it. The effect will
depend on the amount of the poi
son, susceptibility of the system,
and the occupation.
If health be represented by 100,
we may reduce it down to s., or so
or 30, or death. be these agents.
This is true of many poisons, as
for instance, malaria The system
may be impressed by this poison
in a very slight degree, or it may
be overwhelmed, and die, as in CON
gestive fevers. No person subject
to the influence of a malarious poi
son can be in perfect state Of
health. They are said to become
acclimated, the nervous system has
been compelled to tolerate it, but at a
sacrifice Of vigOr, varying in differ
ent cases. We see in the inhabi-
tants of malarious districts in our
own country, in the country about
Rome, &c.
In these places thare is a death
OF both physical and intellectual
vigor. Malaria does not kill at
once, hut by degrees.
Let us see the effects of the poi
son Of tobacco upon those who
work in it, upon the many who use
it in any way:
l. Pallor.
2. Tremulousness of the hands.
3. Palpitation of the heart.
4. Disturbance of the stomach
dyspepsia.
5. Phosphate urine, indicating
waste of nerve power.
"A French physician, DR.. De
investigated the cases of 3S
boys, from 8 to Is years of age,
who had the habit of smoking. He |
ound distinct symptoms in 81; % |
rad various disorders Of circulation
oalpitation, disturbed digestion,
jIowness of intellect, and taste
or strong drink; 3 had intermit-
ing pulse; s loss ofred corpuscles
n the blood; u had nose bleed
10 disturbed sleep; 4 ulcerations of
he mucous membrane of the
mouth. If they were well fed, they
suffered less. They were treated
or exhaustion, but, while the
labit continued, medicine did no
good.
I do not say that tobacco is sure
o kill, in all cases; still l do not
believe it can be used in any guam
ity in health, without positive
larm in a greater or less degree
The effect varies in individuals.
l. Some cannot overcome the
natural disrelish for it, so as to in
lulge in its use.
2. Those whose occupations keep
hem in the open air, can use to-
,acco with much less injury; the
,oison is expelled from the body
W the lungs, skin and kidneys.
3. Those whose occupations keep
hem within doors, as students, are
most apt to break down, to delii-
ate themselves by its uss.
a, Because they are in a close at
nosphere and that atmosphere poi
oned by tobacco.
b. The outlets, as the skin, kid
eys and lungs, are not as active'as
.uring exercise in the open air.
II is contended by those who ad-
'ocate its use, that tobacco saves
ood and prevents waste. 1t is true
docs prevent waste, and thus
revents the re- enforcement of the
ystem with new living material.
| have a small house, with fire.
lace and chimney; l put in the
fuel. Inow weigh my
ome, fuel and all. l ignite the
uel, warm my house and all are
and happy. l again
Vdgh my house, and the weight is
he same that it was before, minus
he fuel. 1 now replenish the fuel
nd ignite it, and stop the chimney
The combustion is diminished, the
moke and vapor are shut in' and
II are wretched and uncomfortable.
weigh again and gloat over the
dea that l have prevented acaSte! /
In health, tobacco cannot be
sed at all, without positive detri-
lent to mind and body.
Local ann0ls, it is said, mention
-. .,r4 d r,,,oIroe -, RToseochu !