The citizen. [volume] (Berea, Ky.) 1899-1958, 1909-01-21

TosAcco HURTS THE BODY.
The Nicotine Attacks the vial 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 It's 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, certain feel
ing of intoxication is produced by an
indulgence In oversmoking. and with
Il a sensible acceleration In the circu-
lasion OF the blood indicated by the
beating OF the heart and the throbbins
OF the pulse. !
In addition TO these symptoms the
excessive smoker is conscious OF a
general sweat upon the forehead and
the more sensitive portions OF the
body, accompanied by excavation. 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 drug-taking In many
cases the hardening or Qualification oil
the arteries-"pipe-stem arteries
Is TO be traced TO the fact that nico-
tine destroys the natural iubrlcating
powers OF the gastric juice or saliva.
and precipitates, In contact herewith.
the mineral properties IN the blood.
which consequently gives the arterial
tubes a hard, chalk-iike interior coat
Ing. an accumulation OF which ulti-
mately renders the arteries almost ne
brittle as pipe-stems.
Though II Is established by physi
clans that half the dyspepuc troubles
common among men proceed from an
indulgence In oyersmoking. II II not
denied that moderation In the habit
may have q beneficial effect upon the
system. even as certain members or
the faculty declare that a moderate
allowance OF alcohol n good for the
system. AS Crichton.B Brown, the Eng.
lish neurologlst. declares. however.
advice as 10 smoking may very prop
eriy be taken by any person who wish.
es TO drop. or continue. the habit.
There are certain systems which do
not easily throw OF the effects OF nico.
tine. and the enjoyment derived from
n quiet smoke" Is no criterion Of its
benefciallty 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 arc systems
which cannot throw on the poisons Of
alcohol and tobacco. or either, no mat
ter how little they appear 10 show the
effects. There is no doubt. says the
neurolo.hst. that there arc able-bodied
and strong.minded men whose moods
and irritabillties are solely refcrable
TO the fact that they indulge. even with
extreme moderation. In alcohol OF to-
bacco. II they avoided them aitoseth-
er they could boast of perfect health.
both OF mind and body. In the case
OF habitual smokers of the weed, n II
Interesting to note that the italian
writer is OF opinion that should they
wish TO cease the habit, and decide 10
do so suddenly and abruptly. the eff
feet Is as bad upon the system as Ia
the sudden cessation OF all alcoholic
tonics b. those accustomed to con-
sumo them. The process OF seifdenial
must be n graduated one. or there Is
danger In store for the selfabncgant.