The labor world., 1899-05-13
OBSERVATIONS
OF DIR. PENROSE.
By Paul Williams.

] a ! o-A'
wv hotel rotunda, the atmos-
phere somewhat clouded
with smoke from the cigars of mum.
Der of smokers, the doctor and myself
among the number, when I questioned
the Doctor on the subject Of tobacco,
SAYING:
doctor, we have large class of peo-
pic who revile the habit of smoking.
1t is either right or it is wrong. If it
is wrong we ought to quit it. If it is
right we ought to be prepared to tell
! the reason why. Please let us have
your opinion on the subject. You
smoke. You must have reason for
the habit.''
'The custom is the word instead OF
tha habit, in my casc,'' replied the
Doctor. '"I follow the custom, but i:
is not habit with me. I can go days
and weeks without smoking and with
out inconvenience as would be the case
if it was habit"
"Well, then why do you follow the
custom?'
because I think it philosophical.
Because in my case it is beneficial. Do
you see what 1 am smoking?"
EYES," 1 replied, "a cigarette"
eyes, you think it regular tobacco
cigarette but there is no tobacco about
Ii. Ut is simply little white tube OF
paper filled with cubeb seeds. The
cubeb berry is vegetable, slightly aro-
matic, and came into use on the adj
vice of physicians who recommended
It's use for people suffering from ca
tarrh, the advice being to expel the
smoke through the nostrils. l smoke
it because it contains no element OF
poison"
''What is the use of smoking"
''To obtain rest for the mind by
making it passive and receptive.
elbow is that accomplished
''The act of smoking begets quietude
and a negative condition Of the mind.
When the mind is negative it is in
receptive condition and favorable for
receiving impressions. The positive
mind should have the periods Of re-
taxation and that period should be for
la1f an hour after eating. Smoking
a: that time is particularly favorable
also for digestion"
"Where do you get your cubeb cigar
eties?'
'They are obtained at any drug
stcre.'
'Why not smoke tobacco?''
because the individual is liable to
acquire the tobacco smoking habit to
such extent that he often smokes to
excess, absorbs nicotine poison, be-
lcomes nervous and Injuries health.''
'How often could the individual
smoke cigars with safety?''
"Of mild favored cigars he might
smoke three a day-one after each
meal-without INJURY
"At five cents each that makes fif-
teen cents day, or a little over a
dollar a week for cigars. Would you
advise that expenditure for most
Imen?''
''I am not advising anything. You
ask me why smoke. I reply that
Ismoke. if at all, Immediately after eat.
ing to keep myself from becoming pos
it;ve in action and to keep myself from
reading, active talking, serious Or pro
found thought at that time as the
positive thought. directly after eat
ing. or active exercise at that time is
liable to retard Digestion
"What do your cubebs cost you?"
''You get cubeb cigarettes that viii
each last, in smoking, half an hour, fol
!. less than cent apiece. My cubet
smoking, I suppose, costs me about
Two cents day. But not being we'd
ded to the habit of Smoking I often &C
for days without smoking, so my ex
rense for smoking is very light
"Would you advise men to give uI
smoking cigars or tobacco and smoke
cubebs?''s
g. am not advising anything abou
smoking, from the fact that advice OF
that subject would be thrown away
Men will smoke tobacco They wi q