The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-02-22
From the Hygienic Gazel

From the Hygienic Gazette.
 ONE of the most baffling problems
 of which explanation has been O attempted is that of the reason forA the enjoyment derived from the use of tobacco. One of the many doctors who disagree on the subject declares that the nicotine has notbing to do with the fun of smoking.
 ..It seems doubtful" says he, whether the nicotine ordinarily absorbed has any action whatever. Perhaps the local eff fleets on the mouth nose and throat play a larger part in the effects of tobacco than is generally recognized
 "A certain amount of rhythmic move ment demanding an exertion seems in itself to have soothing, pleasure-giving effect, for it is otherwise impossible to explain the satisfaction enjoyed by many in chewing tasteless objects such as gum or straws.
 "A curious fact which goes to show that tobacco smoking is not carried on for the sake of the nicotine absorbed is that the pleasure derived from pipe or cigar is abolished for many persons if the smoke is not seen, as when it is smoked in the dark"
 The leaves of the Pituri plant, which is used by the natives of Australia in the same way as tobacco, contain substance which is practically Identical in its physi- ologic action with nicotine. Except this plant" says the writer, "so far as we know no other material. even in this day of substitutions, has ever been success fully used instead of tobacco. "No young man, as far as we are cog nizant. ever became habituated to the smoking of hayseed or formed the corn silk habit for life or became pennyroyal or cubeb fiend. All these articles of juve- nile experience furnish abundant smoke wreaths and as much rhythmic move- ment as tobacco itself
 "Eyidently there is something In the drug which appeals to the mind through It's bodily effects, doubtless through some depressant action by which it partially | closes the sensory approaches to the brain | and allows it to dwell in less disturbed | self satisfaction.
 ..The very fact. however, that smoking | in the dark gives less or no pleasure at
  paniments play and how sadly these are missed. while it rules out the importance of rhythmic activity which goes on as well in the dark as in the light. .'Dr. Cavanagh of London has recently stated the smoke theory of tobacco more elaborately in connection with the hy- giene of the eyes. He says that the benefit claimed for tobacco would seem | to depend upon the actual visual percep- tion of the clouds of smoke which acts as a rhythmically recurring shield from harsher eye stimulation. It soothes by it's own color as well as by cutting of the sensations, and he believes it rests | the eyes further by relaxing accommo- dation
 "WhiIe this is all very ingenious, we doubt if the most extreme preacher of l the most disastrous results of eye strain could agree that tobacco smoke affords much relief to this condition, much less that this is the ground for the formation and continuance of the smoking habit If so. it is exceedingly extravagant, fol smoke suitable for the purpose could be furnished much more economically.
 "Doubtless 1t affords an infinitesima effect in this direction. but we think tht direct action on the conjunctiva ol through the nasal mucous membranes would more than offset such results, ant there are the dangers of toxic amblyopis which would increase with the increasing amount of smoke clouds.
 ITO the mind of the writer there t ons thing in connection with smoking