The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1914-07-04
Snuff, Its Uses and.
It's Evil Effects

be lost in methods Of separation until
1t would be practically impossible to
find it.
To encourage its use someone is
sending samples, mailing them freely
to our people. The writer, himself, has
received no less than three samples
during the past summer. Dealers say
that the use of snuff is rapidly on the
Increase; that it's use has increased
more than 100 percent in from three
to five years; and where but a few
years ago none was sold, today 1t is
one Of the staple products. 1t seems
TO have first come into use through the
foreign population and has spread I'M
til it's use is common among all classes
OF people, especially the working peo-
pie, young men and boys, and parti-
cularly among lumber-jacks and tran
sient laborers who, undoubtedly, are
the ones most responsible for its gen.
eral use among the young men and
boys. It is said that when one be-
comes addicted to the use Of snuff, or
has taken it for a short time, it is
almost impossible to break away from
the habit.
In order that I might get the best
information possible on this subject,
a letter was sent to a large number of
physicians asking for information as
the result of their observation and
studies. I am quoting from a few of
these replies. The general concensus
Of opinion among nearly all the physi-
clans is that the habit of snuff chewing
Is q serious one; that it is developing
symptoms and conditions that are de-
plorable among those who fall victims
to it's use.
Says n physician: have many
times asked my patients why they
started taking snuff, and usually got
the following answer: L met some
fellow-workers and after being treated
a little 1 started in; tobacco got too
weak after that"
Says another: "It produces a mild
fo1am of intoxication. Snuff is used
among chronic alcoholics and ever
moderate drinkers"
Says another: 1T makes a nervous
wreck Of a person, causing nervous
ness, palpitation, and trembling Of the
hands. My cases have been with
boys from 8 to IS years and upwards;
and they had for a shorter or longer
time used from one-half to one box
per day."
Says another: Snuff seems to be
more Of a narcotic and sedative. It's
excessive use will cause stupor and
even death. 1t produces a dullness Of
the intellect and the pursuit Of other
evil habits"
Says another physician: "In my To-
cality the use Of snuff has increased
over 400 percent in the last ten year."
Says another: Snuff is tobacco very
finely pulverized and nicotine is intro
duced more rapidly and completely.
1t a be used unobserved and still
give the stimulating effects of alcohol.
There is absorbed greater quantities of
nicotine and possibly alcohol. In all
my cases there Is a marked dullness
OF all mental faculties as we'll as the
lowering Of the resisting powers Of the
body. Persons using the same seem to
act heavy and slow as If drugged."
Says another: II recall several cases
in young men and boys; there was
a loss Of appetite, pallor, lassitude and
lack of ambition. The effect of small
quantities is not so easily demon
strated, but no doubt tends in the same
direction. 1t has seemed to me for
many years past that some restriction
should be put upon the sale of this
most universally used of all %poisons."
Says one: Snuff I find most in
furious to the mucous membrane and
stomach. producing stomach, liver and
bowel trouble, jaundice, catarrh, etc.
The use of snuff by boys from 8 to IS
years has alarmingly increased"
Says another physician: Its harm
full effects, l believe. are caused by the
drugs which it contains. It makes a
mans ability lie dormant; he Is not
awake to the best interests Of the
community; he does not take a decided
stand on any issue; he is shiftless and
easy going; any condition is good
enough SO long as he gets his snuff"
Says another: II saw a boy Of II
ears with marked w symptoms
improve when he quit it's use. 1t is
n Of h most loathsome habits our
people have ever taken up"
Says another: Il have had several
cases where I could lay general de-
bility and i'll health to no other cause.
1t has effects similar to opium, and
some users become emaciated and de-
b1litated n lose moral stamina"
Says another: ut weakens the sys-
tenn the same as tobacco. 1t is a pois-
on and where used the system is so
weakened that when a disease takes
hold Of the body it succumbs to the
disease easier than with non-users."
Says another physician after con-
demning it's use: Have you ever
thought anything of the addition of CO.
caine or opium being used to induce
the use Of snuff?
Says another in his report: "It acts
quicker, and produces a drunken state
such as alcohol and morphine. Most
snuff users have diseases of the gums
which causes the teeth to drop out and
thus their digestion suffers. In one
case a man of about thirty years,
whom I have known to be clear men
tally, became simple and almost fool
ish from it's use. Its use Is exceed
ingly depressing, undermining mans
highest ideals and moral nature. It
the props from under self-re-
spect and honesty, leaving the animal
in full force. For the past two
years I lave repeatedly advised my
patients, who use snuff, to go back to
tobacco"
Says another physician: GAS a mat
ter of fact. a person not used to TAX
ing snuff, will get into an almost in
toxicated condition when he begins
its use. Its exhilarating effect Is felt
more quickly than the use Of tobacco.
Every effort should be made to ~curtail
the manufacture and sale Of this pro-
duct" ..
Says another: IT think that snuff
must contain a drug such as opium
and produces a habit far stronger than
does tobacco. I have noticed that the
practice gets such a hold on the de-
voice that it appears almost impossible
for him to stop it."
Says another: IT have had cases in
which the nervous system was below
par, digestion poor and a mental dull
ness accompanying, which disappear
ed on the forced discontinuance of the
snuff. l find especially in the younger
generation that 1t Is having a very
harmful effect"
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