Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1884-05-05
Is SMOKING INJURIOUS?

SO frequently asked, more especially Of med.
ical mea, vet their replies are as general
rule either Of vague OF dogmnlic nature
that IS anything but satisfactory. There
has been unlimited discussion respecting The
injurious effects Of smoking, ever since the
first introduction of tobacco, and a great
deal of nonsense has unfortunately been
urged by enthusiasts on both sides. Some
have praised tobacco far beyond its merits
while others have 80 enlarged upon its in
furious and poisonous qualities as to make
one wonder That anybody who smokes at all
should he leitalive The chemical consli,u
ents of tobacco are three, the due considera
tion of which is highly important. They
are-jlj 4 volatile oil ~ Il volatile aikali:
81 au empyreumatic oil The volatile oil
although in minute quantities, has most
powerful action on the physical system
even in the smallest dose; and when taken
internally gives rise to nausea and giddiness
The volatile alkai is nicotine: possessing
narcotic and very poisonous qualities; Sc
much so, Indeed, that Il siugle drop is suili
cient TO kill dog. In a purely physi
illogical seuse, smoking acts as follows
L.
ed; =. the elimination of carbonic aciG
is diminished, thus interfering with the
respiratory power; 3. the waste Of the
body is checked, and digestion to Ger.
tain extent impeded. Instances arc record.
ed of persons killing themselves by smok-
ing seventeen and eighteen pipes at a sit
ting. Iu the course Of an important dis.
cussion which took place between Sir Ran
dali Martin, Mr.. Solly, DR., Ranking and
other scientific physicians, the following m-
portant results were arrived at respecting
smoking. /. That the habit is only prejudi-
cial when carried to excess; 2. That tobac-
co is iunocuous us compared with alchohol.
AMI in no case worse than tea, and by the
side of high living, contrasts most favor
ably. Whether smoking is or is not lnju
rious TO health depends principally upon
the following conditions l. The kind Of to-
bacco smoked; 3. the manner i'll which II l.
consumed 3. the amount OF tobacco smnk-
ed and lastly, when it is indulgei IN. me
great object is to obtain tobacco when
possesses the smallest percentage OF nlco-
tine. 1t was formerly believed that the best
varieties of Havana and Turkish tobacco
were the most lnnocuouS. Accord
ing, however, to the recent exhaustive
researches of DR.. George Harley, r.
X. =, II appears tuaI Tue nla'e oeIi'a''
the aroma of tobacco, the more poison
Gus it becomes. DR.. Harley is also of opir-
ion that Caporal tobacco contaius least mic.
otine, and is consequently to be prelerreG
by those desirous of health. Pipes made OF
ciav, and meerschaums-uot foul are, DR.
Richardson considers, in hygienic point Of
view, superior to cigars and cigarettes.
Neither cigars nor cigarettes should ever he
smoked near the end, as the nicotine then
is discharged into the mouth in larger pro,
PORTIONS u AIelsens, very distinguished
chemist, is Of opinion that plug OF cotton
wool saturated with a solution of strong
citric or tannc acid should be in Serted i'll
the stem of the pipe cigar or cigarette
holder. By this precautiou the smoke is
efleciually Uttered, ere reaching the mouth,
as the nicotine would then be seized by an'
combined with the acid. IL il Impossible 10
Law down any rule as to the amount OF
tobacco which may be consumed without u
deleterious effect upon the health. what
would be moderation to one is often excess
to another, according TO temperament, habit
and individual pecularities. Each person
ought to be able to judge for himself as to
what is moderation. The best time Tor
smoking is undoubtedly after meal; ana
the most injurious on an empty stomach
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