Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1882-10-05
Tobacco and its Effects.

Health.
In order to obtain the freshest and
most direct testimony with reference
to the effects Of tobacco, the questions
which follow were addressed to about
one hundred and fifty correspondents,
the most of whom are prominent ply
sicians Of our own state. Our space
admits of the presentation of a con-
densation only of the information re-
ceiYed in answer, and this condensa-
ton is compressed into the smallest
possible limits. Were it possible,
however, to print at full length all the
communications received, we doubt
that any additional strength would be
given to the case we have presented,
although the matter is full of interest
and would be read with profit by very
many, the general drift of the testi-
mony given is all in one direction.
Taking each question in its order,
we have classified the answers received,
giving at full length only such as have
special interest, whether they are in
accordance with the majority or not.
From the nature of the case a simple
yes or no in answer to many Of the
inquiries was not practical or desirable.
One reply often contained several dis
tinct points each having an Importance
of its own.
QUESTION 1. "What good effects
from the continued use of tobacco
have come under your observation"
Answered substantially as follows !:
Eighty-fve per cent. reply that no
good results have been observed from
such use. One correspondent has
observed few cases Of Pyrosis which
had been relieved by the use of
tobacco, and has also seen the relief of
constipation. One considers that it
has given relief in certain dyspeptic
troubles, producing, however, other
disabilities equally bad. One says
that tobacco has appeared to produce
free ezpectoration in some instances.
One knew Of no good effects from the
use Of tobacco except what he had
heard others speak of. One claims to
have been cured Of chronic Laryn-
gifts by the use of tobacco. One has
heard of a gentleman who thought
that smoking had relieved Asthma.
@. 2. "What, if any, authorizations
Of tobacco have come under you OBJ
servation, and what have been the
effects of such authorizations z"
Answered substantially as follows !:
Ninety four per cent, answer that they
have not met with any adulteration.
One has met with tobacco adulterated
with copperas, to which attention was
called by the effect produced on the
mucous membrane of the mouth, and
ulcers which it caused upon the
tongue.
@. 3. "In your opinion is the use
of Intoxicating liquors in any way
fostcred or affected by the habitual
use of tobacco? If SO, please state
how and why"
Seyenty-six per cent. answer this
question by an unqualified affirmative.
Six per cent. say no. Five per cent.
do not know, and the remainder give
no answer.
One correspondent makes answer
that it depends upon the individual.
Another says: 81 have seen many
cases where the use of tobacco in
youth has led to the use Of intoxicat-
ing liquors also" A third says: ''In
my opinion the use of tobacco fosters
that of Intoxicating drinks by reduce
ing the powers of the nervous system;
liquor is then used as a restorative and
is about as active a one as [ have
found" 4 fourth replies 81 have
considered the use of liquor as a nee
essary result of the use Of tobacco,
and have found no boys who use the
first who did net begin with the sec
ond."
"Experience demonstrates that those
nations which are most addicted to the
use of tobacco are also the most prone
to drunkenness. This follows first,
physiologically, by the fact that tobac-
co produces an atomic condition from
which nature seeks relief; and second,
physiologically, because tobacco
vitiates the mind and begets drunken
ness as one vice begets another"
"My observation strengthens my
belief that the constant use of tobacco
creates and fosters a perverted taste
for Intoxicating liquors; the social ties
of a chronic tobacco consumer exert a
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