400 The Use and Abuse of Tobacco, 



amounted to the enormous quantity of 29,737,561 pounds or more 

 than a pound to every man, woman and child of the population. 

 "When we consider that in every hundred pounds of this drug 

 there is one pound of the most deadly poison known to chemistry, 

 it is obvious that much injury must be done to the human con- 

 stitution by its so extensive use. The first chapter of this book 

 treats of the general characteristics of tobacco — its history, botany, 

 chemistry and physiological effects ; chapter second contains 

 practical observations on its use and abuse ; and chapter third 

 communications from distinguished physicians, and extracts from 

 medical writings. There can be no doubt that Dr. Lizars has 

 made out an Indictment, against Tobacco, of the most alarming 

 character. It is the fruitful cause of some of the most painful and 

 horrible diseases to which the human frame is subject. Among 

 others he enumerates ulcerations of the mouth, cancer, dyspepsia, 

 diarrhoea, disease of the liver, congestion of the brain, apoplexy, 

 palsy, mania, loss of memory, nervousness, emasculation, cow- 

 ardice, <fec. The cases and authorities which he adduces in 

 support of his own large experience are numerous and con- 

 clusive. Let no one suppose that this is a quack book. It is 

 written by one of the most skilful and judicious of surgeons — one 

 whose reputation is world-wide. We are persuaded that a peru- 

 sal of this book will convince the most skeptical that tobacco is 

 a most deliterious drug, whether used in the form of smoke, snuff, 

 or quid, producing effects on society which neither the public nor 

 the medical profession seem yet to have fairly estimated. In 

 page 103 of this book an experienced surgeon says "that the 

 germs of premature decay which the abuse of tobacco is spreading 

 through the country, will ultimately, in my opinion, prove more 

 overwhelming than even the serious abuse of intoxicating liquors." 

 Another says: "After fifty years of most extensive and varied 

 practice in my profession, I have come to the decision that smok- 

 ing is the main cause of ruining our young men, pauperizing the 

 working men, and rendering comparatively useless the best efforts 

 of ministers of religion." As a scientific journal we deem it right 

 to warn our youth against the use, in any form whatever, of this 

 disgusting " weed." The Virginian Nicotiana tabacum, as well as 

 the Canadian Nicotiana rustica should be regarded by every 

 lover of himself and his kind, as a thing to be absolutely proscrib- 

 ed as both destructive to health and morals. We most cordi- 

 ally recommend this little seasonable treatise. a. f. k. 



