The Worthington advance. [volume] (Worthington, Minn.) 1874-1908, 1880-03-11
Tobacco Smoking.

Mr.. VIM. Pratt, OF Newtowu, Mont
gomeryshire, forwarded to the London
Lancet the following interesting letter
from the late Prof. Parkes: my dear
DIR. Pratt: I think my state of mind as
regards tobacco is very much what
yours seems to be. I have honestly T
tried, to collect evidence from moder-
ate smokers, both medical men and
others, and when tolerance has been es.
tablshed I have never been able to
make out any symptoms which implied
injury. In the case of many medical
men whom I have asked to study their
own condition the answer has always
been the same, viz: they could sec no
harm OF disturbance of any function.
Even in some cases of enormous smok-
ers-i. g., men who were rarely without
pipe or cigar-I could learn of no in
jury. On the other hand, T have seen,
like all of us, men complaining of dys-
pepsia, nervousness, palpitation, etc :,
and who were much better for leaving
off smoking; in fact, in these cases
there could be no doubt of an injurious
effect. In boys of IA or Is who begin
to smoke I think I have observed
that tolerance is slowly attained; that
appetite is less, and, presume, digest
ion and nutrition less good, and that
the complexion becomes pasty and less
forid and clear. There was a striking
case of this kind in the son of a medical
friend, who watched his son naturally
very carefully, and who told me that the
effect of the tobacco "a good deal was
smoked) was quite unmistakable. I
persuaded the son to lessen his tobacco
one-half, and his health certainly i'm
proved; but he was then a young man.
That some injury, therefore, is some
times produced, and especially on young
people, seems to me quite clear; but it
is curious in other cases how difficult it
is to find Ill effects, even, in the young,
when the quantity is not excessive. As
to the effect on the young, even it is
curious to see children smoking in their
mothers arms; and yet when T was in
Burmah many years ago often saw q
woman walking along smoking her
cigar of tobacco, rolled up in plantain
leaf, and carrying on her hip her child
of 2 or 3 years old, who also had his
or her little cigar, which was smoked
with the greatest gravity. On talking
to the Burmese Cwho smoke constantly,
they would never allow that even the
young children were in the least dam
aged. When I was in Turkey I tried to
make inquiries of some of the intell-
gent Turkish gentlemen; one or two of
them said that they thought the Turks
had learned to smoke from the Euro
peans, and had been growing apathetic
and dull ever since. But others laughed
at this, and the rural Turk, who smokes
a good deal, is fine, active, energetic
fellow. I have talked with many Ger
mans, who all stand out manfully for
tobacco. In conclusion, I confess N.Y.
self quite uncertain. I can find moth
ing like good evidence in books; too
often foregone conclusion, without
any evidence to back it, is given. I
think We must decidedly admit injury
from excess; from moderate use L can
see no harm, except it may be in youth.
My opinions are, you will see, very in
definite, and I would gladly see some
really good evidence collected"
don Times.