Fayette County herald. [volume] (Washington [Washington Court House], Fayette County, O. [Ohio]) 1860-1???, 1874-11-19
An Essay Delivered before the Prairie
Grange NOV. 4sh 1S94s

An Essay Delivered before the Prairie
Grange NOV. 4th 1874
TOBACCO, ITS ORIGIN, USE AND INJURIES.
In history we find that it first derived
its name from Tobacco, province in Yuca-
tan, in Spanish America; which statement
if true, dates as far back as the latter part
of the fifteenth century. Las Cases says,
in the first voyage of Columbus, the Span
iards saw persons smokingdry leaves rolled
up in Tubes, called Tobacos; this being
the first smoking now have any knowl-
edge of.
The plant is native Of Central Ameri-
ca, particularly, Tobacco Island, and the
province of Tobasco in Mexico, from
which place it was exported to Europe in
the year 1886. 1t is extensively cultiva-
ted throughout the Southern and Western
States.
Taking botanical view Of it, we ascer-
tain that it belongs to the order Solanaceae
and genus Nicotiana, so named in honor ot
John Nicot, Of Languedoc; who, it seems
first introduced tobacco in Europe. Also
Sir Walter Raleigh has the honor of first
introducing the practice of smoking il
England, more than 200 years ago. And
to show his self esteem of that act, ht
had placed in his house shield bearing
his arms, at the top of which is placed
tabacco plant. Indeed, he must hav,
deemed it great honor.
l care net what he or others may hav,
thought on the subject, do not conside
SO disgusting and filthy practice an hon
OF to any nation or name. The use of thi:
nauseous and poisonous weed has be
come almost universal, and illustrates t.
US the unconquerable power Of habit
Tobacco, as a medicine, is narcotic, emet
ic and cathartic; and possesses, at least
two additional powers, if not more: 1t ha
a digagreeable adOr and an acrid taste
Used as a medicine, it has many virtues
bat as an acquired habit it becomes des
! pOtic,- This does not apply exclusively
the male portion of our race, fer it is use
nearly as extensively by our sisters. B
this assertion I do not say most wome
smoke OF chew; but there is a large POI
J ton that persist in ff-taking to excess
practice which cannot be equaled in Fl
thineSs. l wonder such women deer
t themselves worthy of the name of tru
lady. No lady or gentleman will use to
bacco in any form except as medicine.
e make this assertion in good faith, believin
what l say to be true; and, acting on sal
principle, do not wish to be understoo
that the total abstinence of tobacco wi
= constitute either gentleman or lady; tn
= being emily one of the clements that built
:, up the character.
: Making chemical analysis of plant
t we find they consist chiefly of four orgal
t ic elements, viz: Carbon, hydrogen, OK
d gen and nitrogen. We find, too, that t
Il bacco is devoid of one of these element
. Nicotine, the alkaloid of tobacco, contain
u carbon, 20 parts; hydrogen, IA; and nitr
y gen, 2; while of oxygen, it has none. Th
!. alkalOid thus described in the poisono
o. principle of tobacco, is one of the maj
v most virlulent poisons, only inferior in j
e action to strychnine Its general use is il
re furious to health. By physiological obse
lie vation, we ascertain the fact, that exec
81 sive chewing causes a superabundance
saliva to flow into the mouth, thus wea
ening the glands and robbing the syste
o. OF the juices that promote health u
70 strength.
- This, and many other practices, are
injury to both mind and body. If the h
pS man race persists in that which is ipiu
ID GUS to health. It SURELY must he q sin
IL. A. -.