The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1880-09-23
Tobacco Smoking.

| Mr.. William Pratt, of Newton,
Montgomeryshire, has forwarded to
the London Lancet the following in
| teresting letter from the late Professor
Parkes "My dear DR.. Pratt think
my state of mind as regards tobacco is
very much what yours seems to be. l
have honestly tried to collect evidence
from moderate smokers. both medical
men and others, and when tobacco toll
erance has been established, l have
never been able to make out any symp-
toms which implied injury. Iii the
case of many medical men whom l
have asked to study their own condi-
tion, the answer has always been the
same,-viz. they could see no harm
or disturbance of any function. Even
in some cases of enormous smokers
i. e., men who rarely were without a
pipe or cigar-I could learn of nc in
jury. On the other hand, 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 injur-
ious effect. In boys of IA or Is who
begin to smoke, think l have OBJ
served that tolerance is slowly attain
ed; that appetite is less, and l pre-
sume digestion and nutrition less good
and that complexion becomes pasty
and less florid and clear. There was q
striking case of this kind in the son of
q medical friend, who watched his son
naturally very carefully, and who told
me that the effect of the tobacco Ga
good deal was smokcd) was quite un-
mistakable. l persuaded the son to
lessen his tobacco One-halt, and his
health certainly improved but he was
then young man. That some injury,
therefore, is sometimes produced, and
especially Oh young people, seems to
me quite clear; but it is curious in
other cases how difficult it is to find
ill-cifects, even in the young, when
the quantity is not excessive. AS to
the effect on the young, even it is cur
ious in Burmah to see children smok-
ing in their mothers arms; and yet
when was in Burmah many years ago
l often saw a woman walking along
smoking her cigar of tobacco, rolled
up i'll IL plaintain-leaf, and CARRYING on
her hip her child OF or years old,
who also had his or her little cigar,
gravity. On talking to the burmese
I SulONC IHCE WOulu
never allow that even the young chill
dren were in the least damaged. When
l was in Turkey L tried to make i'll
quiries Of some of the intelligent Turk
ish gentlemen one or two of them
said that they thought the Turks had
learnt to smoke from the Europeans,
and had been growing apathetic and
dull ever since. But others laughed
at this, and the rural Turk, who
smokes Il great deal, is fine, active, en-
ergetic fellow. l have talked with
many Germans, who all stand out
nlanfully for tobacco. In conclusion,
1 confess myselfquite uncertain. l can
find nothing like good evidence in
books too often foreSone conclusion,
without any evidence to back it, is
given. l think we must decidedly ad-
nit injury from excess; from moder-
ate use l see no harm, except it may
be in youth. My opinions are, you
will see, very indefinite, and would
gladly see some really good evidence
collected. fiat any time you can send
me any facts, shall be very grateful. !
Believe me, very sincerely yours,
Z. a. PARkEs.