Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-09-04
CHEwING-Gum,

The custom OF gum-chewmg. though
neither elegant nor elevating. has fought
it's way to the front through thousands
of difficulties. and to-day has a strong
hold on millions Of people. IL has been
argued against and abused until any
comment on the subject Is trite. but not
withstanding the odium heaped upon 1t,
manufacturers OF II have grown rich, and
no drugstore or confectionery Is complete
without a plentiful stock OF the rubber
| like substance
| We cannot altogether explain the pop
ularity which has fallen to the lot OF
chewing gum AS the lawyers would
say. the habit Of using it is "a NAHUM in
se"-an evil in itself-but not being pro-
hbited by law, the custom holds full
sway and remains mistaken in the face
OF tremendous opposition. 1t may be
that the chewer finds some comfort in
the operation-that 1t steades his (or
heD nerves. and thus brings about more
complete mental concentration. When
ever we are forced to undergo some or
deal--or to tax our Will power to the
utmost-we are told TO grit our teeth
and bear it," which means that we must
set our jaws with bulldog determination
and let nothing shake our resolution.
Now, bit Of gum or tobacco between
these gritted teeth and well locked jaws
accomplishes an excellent purpose, as
many men will tell you. The baseball
,,tf. Oh. rs-ffh out
bases, and two strikes against the batter,
could add his chaste testimony as TO the
merits Of gum-or more likely, tobacco
at such a time Of physical and mental
concentration. And so also could others
placed In analogous positions.
But this theory is not ventured as a
defence Of gum-chewing, but only as a
possible explanation for its use on some
occasions. AS young ladies of good
standing have not as yet adopted the
profession of baseball. they can hardly
seek shelter under our remarks, and must
employ others to make excuses for their
gum-chewing propensities.
And, mean while. we sound warning
by reproducing here the comments Of an
English paper, which says:
Attention has been called to the
dangers attending the sale of Chewing
gum by an inquest, which has been re-
Gently held at Lincoln on a child aged
between Z and years old, who died
after eating this substance, which 1t not
unnaturally imagined was a sweetmeat.
We would point out, however, that, be-
sides such risks as this, the habit Of
masticating this filthy compound OF fla
yored India rubber " undoubtedly a
cause of much dyspepsia. The constant
Utilization Of the salivary organs kept up
by chewing this stuff not only causes
steady drain Of saliva, which is most
wasteful, but. what is more serious still,
in consequence of the frequently repeat
ed stimulation TO which these organs
are thus exposed, they fail TO respond
to the normal eXcitation which ought TO
rouse them to action when food is
taken. A constant dribble Of saliyary
secretion is substituted for the healthy
flow which should occur only at meal
times. The glands fail to respond TO
any stimulant less potent than the pep
permint, aniseed, or other constituents
found in chewing gum, and the more
insipd foods, such as bread and other
starchy compounds, pass into the stomach
This is disturbing TO
digestion at its very commencement,
and 1t is extremely probable that the
of starchy substances, which
Is so commonly met with at the present
Gay. is largely due TO the waste of saliva
caused by smoking and by the constant
chewing Of various substances which We
see going on all around"