The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-02-20
Or. Twitchcl's Theory OF Sudden Deaths
by the Usc of Tobacco.

III NioSuSoihS thio oupJCOti tuc uOOlUT
first described the effect it has on the
nervous system, particularly the nerves
ofinvoluntary motion, those whose func-
tion it is to carry on the action of the
lungs, heart and stomach. These nerves
are placed beyond the power of the will,
acting without our consciousness, in sleep
as well as when awake. And it is on
these, he said, the habitual use of tobac-
co produces its most pernicious effects, by
paralyzing their action.
1t first manifcsts itself in the respra-
ton, which is imperfectly performed !;
the blood is not fully purified, and sense
of anxiety or incipient suffocation is felt.
to relieve which voluntary effort is
made to expand the chest to take in more
air. and, every now and then, deep in
spiration or sigh is the result, giving mo-
mcntary relief,
But, during sleep, especially when first
going to Sleep the will not being so easi.
ly excited to action, the sense of suffoca-
tion is longer endured, till at length, be-
coming urgent and painful, a degree of
consciousness is awakened the individ-
ual begins to feel his condition, and rous-
es, perhaps suddenly starts, and sits up
in the bed in alarm, his heart palpitating
violently; and, having obtained relief,
soon goes to sleep, TO pass through the
same scenes again.
But, as the habit continues, the whole
nervous system becomes affected the
muscles become tremulous, the sensibili-
ties diminish respiration and the action of
the heart becomes more imperfect, and
suffocation moro urgent but conscious
ness now fails to be reused to put forth
a voluntary effort for relief; and the
poor abused and languishing nerves,
whose Office it is to stand sentinel at the
fountains of life, obtaining no help from
the muscles Of volition, at last are COM
PEELED quietly to yield up the struggle
and the person is found dead in his bed,
the cause rot known. Yet it is foolish
sacrifice of life to the vile but enchanting
habit Of using tobacco.
There are doubtless some few who are
found dead from disease of the heart.
But the doctor said he had for many
years been extending his inquiries on the
subject that he had found almost every
individual, who had died during sleep
had long been in the habit of the free
use o. tobacco, and it was his conviction
that that was almost the only cause OF
such delths.
The habitual use of tobacco. he said,
was a most fruitlu source of disease
and this would appear evident when we
consider its effects upon the nervous sys-
TEN. 1t lowers down the power of those
nerves upon which life depends the blood
does not fully undergo that change in the
lungs which respiration is designed tc
effect, and goes to the heart impure and
purple the heart has not its original
power to send it forward in its circula.
tion through the body; and an impure,
sluggish circulation is the consequence
which predisposes to almost every disease
the human system is subject to.
Among the diseases caused by tobac.
co, the doctor enumerated palsy, invetcr-
ate nervous headache, palpitation of the
heart, disease Of the liver, Indigestion, ,ul.
ceration of the stomach, piles and many
others and finally, he said, he hardly
knew that there was any disease it die
not at times produce. He did not under
take to assert that all who use tobacco
must necessarily have these diseases full
~ developed. But ho said individuals
often experienced annoying, and some
times alarming symptoms, the result o
tobacco, which renders them in6rm anC
wretched, while they are altogether ig
porunt Of the cause He mentioned gid
diness, pain in the head, palpitation o
the heart, faintness, and gnawing sensa
tion of the stomach, neuralgia pains, ,trem
bling, sudden loss Of strength, loss of rec
objection, starting in sleep, &c; that hi
had been called to prescribe for a grea
many persons, whose diseases have spon
taneously disappeared on their discontin
uance of tobacco.
The particular form in which tobacco
is used is not of very material conse
quencc. He thought tobacco more fire
quently produces palsy than all othe
causes, and that snuff is more likely tC
bring it on than any other form in whicl
it is used but that chewing is more in
jurions to the digestive organs, affecting
them in threefold way. 1t robs tn
stomach of its saliva lessons its nervou
power, and diminishes its peristaltic mo
ton and all the cases he had seen o
: alteration Of the stomach were manifest
ly the effects of tobacco.
' One day DR.. Twitchel had been de
scrbing, in his exquisitely graphic man
| ner, the gradual inroads made by tobac
, co upon the human system. He first dis
: played the gentlest effects of this "celes
tial drug" The slightest nervousness o
most trivial pain were perhaps all that tn
| sufferer noticed. Then came the horri'
dreams and Nightmares dire, with indi
, gestion and all its miserable train. Afte
talking thus for some time, he proceeded
still further, and had just touched upol
, the point where according to his theory
, the victim Of appetite will see death star
t ing at him. All his audience we're list
ening with deep interest, and silenc
t reigned in the room, when suddenly on
gentleman dropped senseless. He ha'
: listened with great attention, and wa
5 horror-struck at fancying that he had ar
, rived at the fatal point in his journey Il
tobacco-chewer He, however, sool
recovered from his swoon, and from tina
E moment foreswore the use Of the articl
in any shape.
: Speaking of the effects of tobacco il
certain cases, DR.. Twitchel says: "In ST,
cases palpltations were produced and il
eight pains in the chest, usually over tn
heart, but at times at the right side o
the breast. In two of these it was no
r ticed particularly after immoderate us
of tobacco. Headache was observes
four times, and frightful and sever
dreams in four more cases. Nervous tire
mors crannpc startino 10 MARA fam.