Durango semi-weekly herald., 1905-11-23
EFFECTS OF CIGAR.
ETTES ON BOYS

|
Following is a brief synopsis of a
sermon preached by o. B. Sarber at
| the Baptist church last Sunday even
Ing TO an unusually large congrega-
| ton on the above theme.
The greatest hindrance to any re
form is to get the people to take the
question involved seriously. 1t has
been SO with every reform, and it is
certainly true of this matter of the
| cigarette evil among our boys. The
public and even parents are not awake
| TO the seriousness OF the situation.
| and | have invited you here this even
ing that we may consider together
upon young. growing boys. that you
may be interested, and that you mas
In turn interest others in a matter
vitality connected with the health.
happiness and future prospects Of
those who are SO soon to be men.
| First, let US consider the boy mere
ly as an animal, and the effects of the
cigarette upon him physically. To
bacco Is narcotic, and contains an
active poison called nicotine. 1t is
harmful even to adults; but to young
boy. when nature is engaged in the
process of construction, the injury to
him by having every portion of the
material which is being built into his
growing body vitiated with this poison
| is "A subject for most serious concern.
Note then very briefly some of the
physical effects of tobacco on growing
boys, as given us by the very highest
medical experts of the day:
/. 1t Injuries the whole nervous sys-
TEN, producing an effect in the nature
of a paralysis, and often results In
softening of the brain.
| 2. 1t impair the digestion, so hin
dering proper nutrition to the grow
ing body, lowering vitality, and rem
| dering the sufferer an easy prey to
| disease.
3. II weakens the lungs, irritates
the whole respiratory tract. checks the
normal development of the chest, SO
making the boy an easy victim to
colds. catarrn and pneumonia.
4. 1t impairs the eyesight and hear.
ing, as discovered In hundreds OF
schoolboys tested along these lines
5. 1t stunts the growth. since the
effect of the poison upon the capillary
circulation is to produce contrac
tion of the mouth of every one of the
minute capillaries furnishing blood
for the nourishing OF tissue. No boy
who smokes while young will ever at
tain his normal growth.
g. 1t disturbs the heart and fire
quently produces serious heart dis
ease.
7. 1t dulls the taste. and produces
an unnatural thirst which water fails
after time TO satisfy, so creating q
demand for stimulants. and 1t Is al
alarming fact that in a vast number
of instances smoking leads to drink
ing.
s. II abnormally excites the sexua
passions through Its influence on tn'
nervous system and leads either u
self-abuse, or turns the boy loose {
yeritable little devil to prey upon tn'
innocence of young girls.
but let US now look dt our DOy al
rational being, and think for a mo
ment of the effect OF smoking upoi
his mentality
g /. 1t destroys his power of clos,
application to his school work. Ey
cry teacher in this city will agree tina
the boys who smoke are relativel,
poor at This point in tneir work.
2. 1t Injuries his power OF atten
ton. His mind loses its grip. and h
G can not firmly hold 1t to a subIec
e long at a time. This point is. O
, course. very closely akin to the pre-
d ceding.
u 3. 1t impairs memory. He goe
$ over and over the same thing but ca
r not retain 1t in his relaxed mind.
4. 1t blunts perception. He doe
not see" things as quickly as h
n ought.
e s. 1t makes him vacillating an
d tickle; makes him nervous and irr
h table: and his conduct at home a
well as at school undergoes a deci
e ed change, and not for the better.
ID But last, and most serious of al
rs tobacco has a baneful effect upon OF
u boy morally.