The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1910-03-01
MYSTERIOUS JOY
 OF SMOKING
Theories to Explain the Fascination of
 My Lady Nicotine.

One of the most baffling problems of which explanation has been at tempted is that of the reason for the enjoyment derived from the use of to- bacco. One of the many doctors who disagree on the subject declares that the dicotine has nothing to do with the fun of smoking.
 whether the nicotine ordinarily ab- sorbed has any action whatever Per nose and throat play a larger part in the effects of tobacco than is gener- ally recognized.
 "A certain amount of rhythmic neems menenfn' in itaeif aeI'4 &ave % a soothing, pleasure-giving effeot, for it is other wise impossible to explain the satis- faction enjoyed by many in chewing 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 a pipe or cigar is abolished for many persons if the smoke is not seen. as when it is smoked in the dark
 But this view doesn't satisfy 8 writer in the Dietetic and Hygienic Gazette. That nicotine or some other contained substance has some effect upon the body eveey one who has tried his first cigar has had indel1bly impressed upon his consciousness.
  is used by the natives of Australia an the same way as tobacco, contains O substance which is practically fden- tical in it's physiologfc action with n1c- otine. Except this plant" says the writer, 'iso far eS we know no other material, even in this day of substitu- tons, has ever been successfully used instead of tobacco.
 ''rSo young man, as far as we are cognizant, ever became habituated to the smoking of hayseed or formed the corn silk habit for life or became a T5ennyroyaI or cubeb fiend. All these articles of juvenile experience furnish abundant smoke wrea.thS and much rhythmic movement as tobacco it. self.
 drug which appeals to the mind through its 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-satisfac- tion.
 'aThe very fact. however. that smok- ing in the dark gives less or no pleas sorry accompaniments play and how sadly these are missed. while it rules out the Importance of rhythmic activ- ity which goes on as we'll in the dark
 sDr. Cavanagh of London has re- gently stated the smoke theory of to- bacco more elaborately in connection with the hygiene of the eyes. He says that the benefit claimed for to- hMcco would seem to depend upon the actual visual perception of the clouds of smoke. which acts as a, rhythnica1- ly recurring shield from harsher eye stimulation it soothes by it's own color as well as by cutting off the sensations. and he believes it rests the eyes further by relaxing~ accom- 1nodation.
 While this is all very ingenious. we doubt if the most extreme preacher Of 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 exceedingl extravagant, for smoke suitable for the purpose could be furnished much more economically.
 '.Doubtless it affords an infinitesimal effect in this direction, but we think the direct action on the conjunctiva or through the nasal mucous mem branes would more than offset such results, and there are the dangers of toxic ambIyopia which would increase with the increasing amount of smoke clouds.
 ITO the mind of the writer there is one thing in connection with smoking which in addition to it's probable in fIuence in stupefying certain realms of the nervous system helps to explain the effects of the habit which is that it gives employment to a certain group of motor centres and in so doing drains off a superfluous amount, an overflow of nervous energy for which 
 let.
 "The act of smoking and of watch ing smoke affords an occupation for the mind which would otherwise be working upon itself unraveIling some troublesome problem. It is in giving the nnindlt1e recreation of mere cloud gazing instead of an immediate return to business cares or to the thinking about them that the after dinner cigar produces it's chief effect in promoting digestion and the normal progress of food matter through the body.
 'It is doubtful whether any of the contained alka1oids of tobacco have in themselves much effect in this direc- tion. At any rate they have never through all the centuries of drug ex- perimentation been used directly for this purpose with any success AS a means of keeping the mind busy for the moment in drovsy contemplation or as a channel of outlet for super fluity of nervous force smoking is ce1-- tainly very effective invention. It has at the same'time been most ex-