Daily Kennebec journal., 1896-10-19
The ciqaretse HabIt.

did not use Tobacco surpassed the ~
who did by 10 per cent. increase in
weight, "a per cent, increase in
| height, &c per cent. increase in
chest girth, and II per cent in lung ca
pacity. The highest fourtho the class in
scholarship were almost all non -smok-
ers. and the lowest fourth, almost all
smokers. ers.-PROFESSOR FISK. Official
Physician at Yale. in Journal of Edu-
cation.
The teacher of public school in
Chicago found that eighty of her schol-
ars smoked from two to twenty cigar
cites a day Six only OF these boys
were able to do good work in their
classes. The victims of the cigarette
habit confessed that they We're suffer-
inc constantly from headache, drowsi-
ness and dizziness.
Many declared that they could not
write well because their hands trem-
bled. A number We're ''shalzy" when
| they walked. and unable to run for
themselves to meet the examination
test The teacher reported that they
were sure to fail if asked to memorize
anything Several of the smokers were
from four to five years too old for their
crade, and it was found that after they
| began to smoke their progress ceased.
Except in three instances, the schol-
ars hardest to discipline We're smokers.
Truancy and theft were directly traced
had reformed and joined the Anti
! Cigarette society said they felt like
different boys" The power and per-
riciousness of the cigarette habit are
revealed by this fresh testimony from
Il competent and careful observer.-The
Youths Companion.
These are facts worthy the attention
of every parent. While Il large per cent.
| Of our boys are not addicted to the
| cigarette habit. yet no boy who at
tends the public school of the village or
city is free from it's influences. The
habit even among the scholars of the
lowest grades prevails to q degree
which is indeed alarming. Its effects
detrimental to both physical and men,
tal development are manifest in every
srade.
Is there not remedy for this deadly
evil? Is there no way to prevent the
boy of eight from deliberately destroy
ing himself. body and soul? Is it rea-
sonahle for the public to look on with
cut a word of remonstrance? The
school boy is a public charge through
The public school. Shall he be allowed
to become a public charge through the
nenitentiary and home for inebriates?
The boys of our own city are no eX-
oeptien. Boys from eight to sixteen,
l;-ttending our lower grade schools, and
| POSSIBLY a few in the high school. are
smoking away brain power every day.
Is il the fault of the teacher, or is
there responsibility resting upon the
parent and citizen? Ii is true, that
|
| cigarettes to the boy under sixteen,
but what does such a law avail when
: boy of any age may be seen at almost
any time on the street with cigarette
il his mouth? Very often the same boy
Is destitute of necessary clothing which
- he ever has the city or private So
ciety must provide. Why not furnish
The youngster with hs cigarettes and
alIow him to buy his shoes?
Does any one think that the condi-
t:ons,a as reported by the Chicago teach
or, are confined to the Chicago schools?
1t is a fact that the same conditions
exist in the schools of Augusta, and no
school room from the second grade to
the tenth can escape the test
The school boy who uses the cigar
crt and obnoxious odor about the per-
son and by his inability to perform the
regular class work.
The odor is sickening to the teacher
| and to every neat pupil in the room.
The teacher can endure anything, but
It is a wonder that the complaints
from the neat boys and girls are not
more frequent. l am not sure but it is
| the duty of scnool officers to provide a
| special department for the instruction
| OF the cigarette fiend, and thus relieve
! those who abstain, from the unpleasant
| Influences. 1t certainly does not seem
right that q girl or boy coming from a
| home where such impurities do not ex-
ist. should be obliged TO sit five hours
| in close proximity to so nauseatng an
| agent
Are you sure that your boy does not
snole? Are you willing that he should
| gssN -