The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1909-05-20
s'aAAz4S>aG;llsY2gs!IEs
TOBACCO HURTS THE BODY.
The Nicotine Attacks the Vital Organs
as Does Alcohol.

THE effect of tobacco on the human
frame is hardly different from that
produced by alcohol" says a writer in
La Lettura. Like alcohol nicotine
has its object of attack in the vital
parts of the body, alcohol invariably
attacking the liver and the kidneys,
and through them the heart; nicotine
proceeding, on entering the system, to
affect directly the action Of the heart"
AS all smokers know, a certain feel
ing of intoXication is produced by an
indulgence in oversmoking, and with
II a sensible acceleratiOn in the circu-
lation OF the blood indicated by the
beating of the heart and the throbbing
Of the pulse.
In addition 10 these symptoms the
excessive smoker is conscious of a
general sweat upon the forehead and
the more sensitive portions of the
body. accompanied by enervation, gen
eral languor and irritability All these
are sure signs that the nervous system
is suffering from nicotine poisoning
and a continuance of the habit, after
these conditions have declared them
selves, cannot but lead to such phys
ical and mental prostrations as are
symptomatic of dTugtaking. In many
cases the hardening or Qualification Of
the arteries-"pipes arteries
is TO be traced TO the fact that nico-
tine destroys the natural lubricating
powers of the gastric juice or saliva,
and precipitates, in contact herewith,
the mineral properties in the blood,
which consequently gives the arterial
tubes hard, chalk.like interior coat
ing, an accumulation of which ulti-
brittle AS pipestems.
Though ii is established by physi-
clans that half the dyspeptic troubles
common among men proceed from an
Indulgence In oversmoking, ii is not
denied that moderation in the habit
may have a beneficial effect upon the
system, even as certain members of
! the faculty declare that moderate
allowance of alcohol is good for the
system. AS Crichton- Brown, the Eng
lish neurolOgist. declares. however,
advice as to smoking may very prop
erly be taken by any person who wish
es TO drop, or continue, the habit
| There are certain systems which do
not easily throw off the effects of nico-
tine. and the enjoyment derived from
quiet smoke is no criterion OF its
beneficiality upon the body, whatever
good may be wrought temporarily
| upon the mind The same is to be
said OF alcohol for, says the same
eminent authority. there are systems
which cannot throw off the poisons OF
alcohol and tobacco or either. no mat
ter how little they appear TO show the
effects. There is no doubt. says the
neurologist, that there are able bodied
and strong minded men whose moods"
and lrritabilities are solely referable
TO the fact that they indulge, even with
extreme moderation, IN alcohol or to-
bacco. If they avoided them altogeth-
er they could boast of perfect health,
both of mind and body. In the case
OF habltual smokers Of the weed, il is
interesting TO note that the Italian
writer is OF opinion that should they
wish to cease the habit, and decide to
do SO suddenly and abruptly, the ef-
feet is as bad upon the system as is
the sudden cessation of all alcoholic
tones by those accustomed TO con-
sumo them. The process of self-denial
must be graduated one. or there is
Danger in store for the self-abnegant