The Waterbury Democrat., 1936-04-15
WHY SMOKE SO MUCH?

WHY SMOKE so MUCH?
 In two preceding articles we dis cussed nicotine or tobacco poisoning and tobaccosis or tobaccoisrn, that is, the pathological effects of exces- sive use of tobacco.
 Although medical literature con- tains a great many references to the pathological effects of tobacco there is a curious paucity of mate rial on the treatment of tobaccosis, even in pretentiouS works on the general subject of therapeusis. AL coholism is dealt with extensively, but for some strange reason the medical authors preserve an impress sive silence on the treatment of tobacco habit and its effects.
 In ye1e capillaries, that is, the microscopic spaces between the cells, through which the blood seeps to nourish the cells, the oxygen car- ried by the blood corpuscles is de- livered to the cells and carbon dioxide picked up to be carried through the veins back to the lungs. Here is the vital part of the ma- chinery of life. You can get fair idea of the efficiency of the capillary circulation by this simple test: Un- der a good light draw the sole of your thumb over the skin on the back of the index finger just below the half moon edge of nail. The blanching this causes disappears and the normal flush returns in second or so, depending on the rate of flow through the capillary spaces. Remember, there are no capillary blood vessels - only open spaces between flores and cells; the express sion capillary vessels" is careless inaccuracy)
 Careful observation of the rate of blood flow in the capillary beds shows that the circulation in these vital areas is distinctly slowed down for considerable time after smok- ing. Along with this interference with the capillary circulation, this cellular asphyxia, there is marked lowering of surface temperature in fingers and toes, a lowering of any, where from 5 to IS degrees F.
 Now it becomes evident why and how tobacco impairs 8 smokers "wind", kills any chances or aspira- tions for athletic excellence or suc- cess, renders the mind less capable to solve problems and flinders the normal or natural reactions of the nervous system to ordinary stimuli. When the oxidation process is re- tarded, the whole body must func- ton for the while on a lower level.
 Along with the slowing of capil- lary circulation and the lowering of surface temperature, following the smoking of tobacco, there is a sud- den marked peripheral vasocon- striction, a contraction or narrow ing of the finest arterioles which bring fresh blood to the capillary areas. If smoke is inhaled this ef- feet lasts an hour or so. If not inhaled the effect is less prolonged, fifteen minutes to half an hour.
 Practically the only difference be- tween inhaling and not inhaling while smoking is that inhaling ex- poses larger mucous surface to the gases or fumes and naturally more is absorbed in given time.
 All of the effects described, and other effects of smoking, may be due to the carbon monoxide in to- bacco smoke as well as nicotine or pyridine or other component.
 Have pipeful of this new blend shotgun mixture-contains ten kinds of tobacco-and remember, smoking is not all beer and skittles.
 Rheumatic
 I believe you refuse to recognize anything rheumatic, but I am al- ]