The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1903-07-11
TO NOTE EFFECT OF TOBACCO.
POISON EATERS no BE SUCCEEDED
BY A TOBACCO SQUAD.
The Agricultural Department to Conduct
Experiments to Determine the Erect
on the Human system OF smoking,
Chewing, Dipping and Snuting Tobacco


WASHINGTON, July 1O.--The squad OF
twelve poison eaters that attained such
notoriety during the past seven months,
by reason of the experiments with food
adulterants which have been in progress
at the Depart ment of Agrioultures "borax
boarding house." is to be succeeded by
squad Of tobacco users whose work,
it is believed, will attract even more atten-
ton that that of their predecessors.
Prof. Wiley, the Government chemist
who had entire charge OF the experiments
to determine the effect Of various food
preservatives and adulterants upon the hui
man system. is so much pleased with the
results of the seven months Of his work
that he has decided to branch out and the
experiments to determine the effect Of
tobacco on the heart and lungs, the diges-
tive organs and the human system gener-
ally will b. the first feature of this new
work. 1t is expected that the experiments
will not only he Of the greatest interest
to smokers and chewers throughout the
country, but will prove Of value to manu-
faoturers and dealers in the various forms
Of tobacco.
Although the general lines upon which
the tobacco experiments will be conducted
will be somewhat similar to those pursued
at the "borax boarding house there will,
of course, be radical differences in the
manner of making the tests According to
the present plans the tobacco squad will
consist of eighteen members, instead OF
twelve employed in the food experiments,
and will be divided into three classes.
smokers, chewers and shutters
For month after the experiments begin
the members of the squad will not be per
mitted to Use tobacco in any form. This,
it is explained is to make II possible for all
members to start on an even basis and with
their systems free from any possible effects
of tobacco used before the time for the
taking of records Then a certain allow
ance of the weed will be given each man
each day, the amount being increased as
the experiments progress
The smokers" SQUAD will begin its work
| on cigars, and each member OF the squad
| will be allowed three a day, one after break
fast one after dinner and one after supper.
This allowance will be increased gradually
until the members of the squad smoke
| as much tobacco daily as the most hard
ened -inveterate," ard various kinds Of
tobacco, including domestic, Porto kican
and Philippine, will be used to determine
| the relative harmfulness Of each
When sufficient data have been obtained
with relation to cigars. the men will be pro
vided with pipes ard smoking tobacco
and more data obtained. Then the cigar
cite smokers will hold sway, divided into
and the results Of moderate and excessive
smoking will be carefully noted.
Duri 6 the progress of this portion Of
the experiment, another squad will he pro-
vided with plugs of tobacco and Govern
ment cuspidors, and told to chew away.
while the -snuffers" will be given Govern.
ment snuff boxes end the best brands OF
the powdered weed and instructed to sneeze
at regular intervals. This particular
squad will later stop snuffirg and sneezing
and emulate tn, Southern method Of dip
ping" and "eatirg snuff, with view to
determining its effect upon the system.
A month prior to the date set for the con-
clusion Of the experiments and the dis
bandment of the squad. the men will again
DO forbidden the use Of tobacco in any
form, and the results OF this suddeh stop
page and the effect upon the physical con-
dition Of the squad carefully noted The
data in all cases will be secured and COM
piled with the greatest care, and II is be-
lieved by Pref Wiley and other officers Of
the Department that che results will prove
OF value second only to those obtained
In the food experiments.
Since il became known among the clerks
Of the Agricultural Department that Prof.
Wiley intended TO begin series of tobacco
experiments, there have been any number
OF applications for places on the squad of
tobacco users.
DR. Wiley had considerable difficulty in
securing twelve poison eaters for his food
experiments, even with the alluring induce
ment of three square meals day free at
the borax boarding house, but. as a clerk
expressed it to-day, the prospect Of free
smokes for six months" has served to make
every man in the Department who uses
tobacco in any form long for a place on
the squad
The fact that eaoh member OF the squad
, will be required to put down the exact time
, of each smoke, chew or snuff taken by him,
with his temperature, respiration and pulse
before, during and after, is considered by
clerks in the Department as a mighty little
thing compared to the saving in tobacco
bills. According to present indications
the squad Of tobacco users when 1t be-
gins operations in the fell, will consist Of
eighteen very enthusiastic worshppers at
the shrine of the Princess Nicotine.