The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1872-1881, 1872-09-27
Effects Of Tobacco ON Man and
Beast.

DIR. Lebon, OF faris, has given great
deal of attention to the question Of the
effect of tobacco upon man and animals,
and has lately presented a report on the
subject to the Medico-Chirurgical Society
Of Liege. Among the conclusions which
the author has reached in his researches,
the following may be mentioned as the
most important
1. Smokers, and persons who without
smoking are enveloped in an atmosphere
Of tobacco smoke. absorb for each guam
tity of ten grammes of tobacco pro-
portion of nicotine varying from some
centigrammes to gramme. They alb
sorb also about an equal amount Of am
monia.
The quantity Of tobacco consumed dai-
ly by single individual addicted to its
use is scarcely less than twenty
grammes. A smoker is, therefore, liable
to absorb daily quanty of nicotine that
may reach twenty-five centigrammes,
with an equal proportion of ammonia.
3. Of all kinds Of smoking the most
dangerous is that of smoking cigar or
cigarette and swallowing the smoke ; the
least dangerous is that of smoking mar
gile, or pipe-with a long tube, in the
open air.
4..The effect produced by the result
of the condensation of tobacco-smoke is
analogous to that of nicotine. Neverthe-
less there must be added the effect pro-
duced by the ammonia. which the smoke
contains in considerable quantity.
5. The resinous- semi:liquid which
condenscs in the interior of the pipe or
tains considerable proportion of nico'
tine. It is little less poisonous than mic
otine itself, and rapidly destroys the life
of animals exposed to its action.
6. The liquid product which conden
ses in the lungs and mouth of the smoker
contains water, ammonia, nicotine, fatty
and resinous bodies, and coloring matters
A dose of one drop of this speedily pro
duces paralysis of motion on small ami
mails, and a state of apparent death
These effects quickly disappear, but deatl
actually supervenes if the dose is carried
up to several drops. II, instead of ad
ministcring the liquid internally, the an
imal is made TO breathe it for some time
it dies all the same In this last case tn,
effects seem due in great measure to th'
presence OF ammonia.
7. In dose of single drop dangerou
: results are not produced upon large ami
mails, but those of smaller size are killeC
instantaneously. Among the effects oh
serbed the most constant are fbrilla
tremlings, a general congestion Of tn
superficial vessels, stupor, and especiall..
the tetaniiorm contraction Of the muscle
of the abdomen.
8. Nicotine is one of the poisons the ei
feet of which is most speedily dissipated
/ and the habitation TO which is soonest aC
complished.
8. Contrary to what has generally beeI
assumed, the vapor of nicotine at tn
ordinary temperature is not dangerous
!. but il is quite otherwise if the liquid !
carried to ebullition. 1t then produce
palpipatious, decided sufiocation, pre-
cordial pain. and vertigo. Smaller ami
mails exposed to this vapor die almost in
simultaneously. OIL.
= 10. Among the effects Oftobaccosmok
upon man may be mentioned, in small
doses, excitation of the Intellectual fac
ulties for the moment; in repeated dose
it produces palpipations, troubles of vis
= ion, and more especially decrease of tn
memory, and particularly the memOr.
of words. Editors Scientific Record Il
/ y,rne,,. Maaaviue fOr SeDtember,