The Bozeman courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1919-1954, 1925-12-25
EFFECTS OF SMOKING

For many years those opposed to smoking, and
especially to the use of the cigarette, have dwelt
at length upon the grave physical consequences of
indulgence in the habit.
Recent observations at Antioch college, Yellow
Springs, Ohio, seem to shatter these traditional
arguments, but set up others that are equally
grave. In a bulletin issued by the college not long
ago, it is d declared that ga careful study of smOk-
ing among men students at Antioch does not dis
close any permanent effects of smoking upon
blood pressure, lung capacity, or pulse rate; but
a definite relationship is established between
smoking and low scholarship. Among men stu
dents, 31.4 per cent of non-smOkers fail to main
tain the required grades, while 62.3 per cent of
heavy smokers similarly fail. Tnhalers' fail most
often"
The researches at Antioch were conducted with
great care and in accordance with sound statistical
methods. At Antioch nearly all parts of the cOun-
try are represented, and about half the men smoke
openly, there being no motive for secrecy or decep-
ton. The men showed an interest in the expert
ments and study, and generously assisted with
information.
"In actual experience" says the bulletin, "nOn-
smokers seem to do slightly better in athletics
than smokers. In track meets during the last
two years they have gained an easy majority OF
points. On the other hand, all important events
in our first swimming meet, held last spring, were
won by two experts, both of whom were habitua
smokers. Of 1T students who now smoke, u
gained athletic letters at high or preparatory
schools and 81 have won college letters. Of liz
students who do not smoke, only Sc gained ath
letic letters at high or preparatory schools, bu
they also include 81 representatives with cOllegv
Cvarsity Al letters. The tentative conclusion
is that high school athletes tend to take Vi
2 smoking, and so increase the number of ath
i letes among college smokers, but that the smoker
e do not retain their pre-eminence in sports"
Y Only temporary alterations of blood pressur
4 were found, and, contrary to general belief, tn
average smokers heart was found to be One-fift
of a beat per minute slower than that of the nor
y smoker. There was no significant difference i
blood pressure or lung capacity.
In the realm of scholarship, however, the di
]. ference was marked. "Of % men dismissed frol
Antioch last year for low scholarship" the bu
n letin says, 800 were smokers. This fact bears u
If on all statistics. = + = On the basis Of gradir
lie that prevailed when the study was undertaken, {
re average grade of 80 was required of students.
Id grade of 4 or higher was made by 1873 per Gel
of nOn-smOkers, and by 7.9 per cent of smoker
S, The average grade of 176 ~nOn-smOkers last We
&c was 3.51; that of 1T smokers was 3.14. The di
ference is 81. The mathematical probability
ne such a difference arising by chance is only one
At 73O millions. The difference in scholarship
en- smokers and n~on-smokers is real"
h with these figures before u.s." the bullet
concludes, cit is hard to avoid the conclusion tn
smoking is actually a cause of mental ineffi
ency."