The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-03
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM
a LECTURE ON THE SUBJECT BE-
FORE THE BOYS or THE Il. M. @. a.
DR.. Baker Tells OF the Effects ofthc Deadly
Cigarstss ON the Youthful smokers-A
Talk Full OF Interest 60 All.

'sThe Nervous System was the sub
Sect Of a medical lecture before the men,
bers OF the Young Mems Christian Asso-
citation gymnasium last evening by Dr.
Edmund T. Baker. The lecture was Illus
trated by colored plates. and his tax
proved to be very interesting. The visl-
tors present occupied the gallery of the
gymnasium. and the members. largely In
gymnasium suits. occupied the main floor.
The address was Of a practical charac-
ter. and treated Of those points OF most
interest to those for whom ii was In
tended. In the introduction he said:
The simple term. 1.-THE Nervous Sys-
tenn" comprehends the perfect working OF
the entire mechanism of man. ana is me
basis OF all mental attributes. FOR z'VOV
years the world has listened TO the siren
song of the mataphysician. False theories
have been sung into the human ear.
until actions appear as facts, and FACTS
reduced TO fiction
What has been regarded heretofore
as q chemical mystery. electricity or
galvanism. bears remarkable analogy
TO the structure and functions of the ner-
vous system. The galvanic pile that
hrst ushered this mysterious fluid into the
realms of human knowledge presents
striking parallel to the cerebral organ ana
ito functions.
The brain consists OF several parts, ike
the battery with the gray and whlte
matter. which are connected by the nerves
exactly as the zinc and carbon plates are
connected in the battery. Both OF these
mysterious organs are acted on by the
same element. namely, oxygen. Deprive
II ala nd
Of asphyxia. AS the electric wires are
distributed from north 20 south and from
east 10 west so are the nerves OF the
human body which have the same power
of conduction. distributed throughout the
human system TO every muscle and organ
& contains.
ANY interruption or break In the con-
tinuity OF the current either passing to or
from the brain. due to a deficient amount
Of oxygen. some injury. over-stimulation,
or deleterious effects Of certain drugs, al
cohol. tobacco. or any other cause may
not only affect the organ IN close prox-
unity. or in which II comes into contact
but by what Is called reflex action, cause
considerable derangement Of other fuhc-
lions of the body. though they DE re-
motley situated from the seat or the pri-
mary affection. All organic functions OF
the body are ordered by the brain, ana
executed through the nerves. from
voluntary blow Of the arm TO the involun-
tarv contraction and dilation OF the heart'
Following the introduction OF which the
above IN but an incomplete synopsis, DR..
Baker entered into n physiological address
on the complex system of the nerve forces
and their relation TO The human BODY IN
n very clear and interesting manner.
Following this line of'explanation ne cali
Cd attention to the difference between
exercise and fatigue upon this wonderful
and complex mechanism. Said he; EX-
ercise Is physiological; fatigue Is patho-
logical The one increases vitality, force
and development; the other eXerts de-
pressing influence. reduces vitality ana
force and retards development. The per-
feet working OF this machine depends
entirely on natural laws. In sta.e OF
perfect health, mans poor ingenuity "an
add nothing TO these laws. All his efforts
by the use of stimulants and narcotics
must injure their integrity and 'aunot
benefit them. A stimulant must obey It's
law of excitement, followed by depres-
sicn. The excitement is as natural as the
depression, and must be classed as a
pathological condition,
Alcoh ii, opium ana tobacco, in their
various forms. are the az ents whose o.
tency, borrowed from the habits and
fashion OF so-calIed cizilized life, 10 more
TO destroy the human race Of today than
tlagues, pestilence and famine.
Young boys-msre children-poison their
undeveloped braino and retard their natu-
raj development by the constant use Of
the deadly cigarette.
This dreadful custom paves the pathway
to the use of alcof oil. Little do these IN
thinking victims OF this horrible vice
understand that they are substituting
deadly poison for the life-giving oxygen
IN the form of nicotine that passes
through the lungs at each inhalation Of
smoke. then distributed throughout the
system by means Of the blood throash
the arteries, retardlng the action Of the
oxygen, which is distributed through the
same channels.
Alcohol follows the same law, or VIOLA
ton OF law, as have Just shown in re-
gard TO tobacco.
The actual change in the tissues are
very apparent in the features OF the inc
briate. and IL you notice the contested
spots and engorged capilliaries and small
blood vessels on his cheeks and nose. you
can readily understand the change OF
structure from over-stimulation and dp-
preciate what potent factor for evil II
must be, and what a powerful influence il
must exert on the delicate, sensitive
structures OF the nervous tissues. which
are far more delicate and sensitive than
the skin.
In closing, gentlemen, / feel II my duty
TO endeavor to tndelibly impress on your
minds to abstain from the use OF tobacco
and all alcoholic stimulGnts, not only
from physical standpoint, but from
moral. mental and religious ones. You
cannot possibly be benefited by them,
but to the contrary. they will do you
irreparable injury. as / have endeavo-ed
to explain to you In this brief discourse.
and ! sincerely hope that what / have
said may be OF service to you in the
future.
The entertainment closed with some
special work by the gymnasium class.
DON'T FAIL TO SEE SUNDAYS
TIMES AS USUAL. WE WILL. pRINnN