The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-04-13

life habits. 1t is neither wise nor
right 10 give perfect care 10 the pro
motion Of health and education
through the school and then permit
health education and life itself 10 be
degraded and destroyed by cigarettes.
Il is a well known fact that nicotine
is the active principle Of cigarettes
or any tobacco II should be as well
known that next - Prussic acid il
is the most actiFe poison recognized
Highly detrimental 70 anyone bur
especially so to Tic immature nerves
Of the school boy
Observing teachers find that when
a promising pupil begins to decline
in the work. il is almost certain that
ne has commenced using cigarettes.
One effect is the contracting of the
capillaries end a consequent restric-
ton Of development. The extent of
this stunning is shown by the records
Of a University during nine years
The average age OF entering students
who smoked was fifteen months great
or than non smokers. Four years la
ter. non smokers. though taller al
admission had gained in height . per
cent and in chest girth 81 per cent
more than habItual smokers whose
mental power and capacity was sim
Harry stuuifd
Such generally degrading effects
are not all for added to them is a
much greater liability to attack Of
neuralgia. Indigestion, and disorders
Of vision. Candid cigarette smokers
also admit that the practice creates
a liking for the effects of alcohol.
Again 500 cases of tuberculosis
were studied. which showed 40 per
cent more deaths where alcohol was
used than where it was not Remem-
Der also. this only considers its dan
gers to circulation. 1t also has
strongly detrimental effects on the
protoplasmic tissues of the body, on
the nerves and brain. on digestion
and nutrition.
In view of these few facts and the
general conditions which may reason
ably be inferred from them. it is
quite evident that we have a health
duty to the community.
1t is patent to every one that We
here cannot. if we would dictate the
state or national policies Il should
be equally clear that we are. as a
Bdll vi lIlF EOAti liiiitllAs II iiAiiioii+
negligent if we do not make all pos
sible effort to make our influence
count for right
Our pure food law was a great step
in the right direction, but that now
SO sadly needs 10 be rescued from the
power which has rendered II useless
Practically all of DR. Wiley's noble
work is lost through the influence
~ oh se Co. Ea
sen Board
That We may know just how this
came about let Cleveland Moffett
speak.
Immediately upon enactment Of the
pure food law came the plea that its
immediate enforcement would be
! hard shot on manufacturers and
dealers who now had immense CAPT
tai invested in food stuffs which
having been produced before the law
was formulated did not fulfill its re-
quirements. Was it not better that
the public should suffer injuries to
health by using this on hand stock
than TO injure business by condemn
ing it,
Gloating over their easy victory in
this. the ayaricious mercenaries of
-" Pod mprket prop0sed promoted.
plead for and secured the "Remsen
Board. who have constantly been in
terpreting the law and overruling DR..
Wileys decisions. until now he stands
practically shorn of power to protect
the people. and what was a good
law becomes a specious but relent-
less death trap.
The limitless needs and resources
of this whole theme have thus far
been little more than suggested. If
| have only quickened your interest to
think and study and act. il is all that
could be hoped for. Let us finally be
reminded that our health duties 10
childhood. to our public schools and
the community are more deeply
grounded than the economic or even
the moral value of man. .Ye are
the temples of the living God