1872.] The Physiological Position of Tobacco. 489 
We have completed our brief examination of the physio- 
logical action of tobacco, but in concluding it may be well 
to point to some portions of the evidence which are espe- 
cially noteworthy. 
The fact that tobacco reduces the animal temperature is 
an important one. It shows the fallacy of those who smoke 
to keep the cold out, and proves conclusively that tobacco 
is neither a generator nor conserver of vital heat, but, Jon 
the contrary, a wasteful destroyer of it. 
The influence of tobacco in lberating the heart from 
those restraints which regulate its healthy action, naturally 
leads to the conclusion that in frequent doses that organ 
must, sooner or later, undergo a structural transformation. 
Although when thus excited it has less pressure to overcome 
than when in a normal condition, yet the extra exertion 
cannot but be evil in its results, since it causes an irregu- 
larity in the supply of blood, and thus degrades tissue. 
Tobacco belongs to the class of narcotic and exciting sub- 
stances, and has no food value. Stimulation means ab- 
stracted, not added, force. It involves the narcotic paralysis 
of a portion of the fun¢tions, the activity of which is 
essential to healthy life. 
It will be said that tobacco soothes and cheers the weary 
toiler, and solaces the over-worked brain. Such may be its 
momentary effects, but the seguele cannot be ignored. All 
such expedients are fallacious. When a certain amount of 
brain-work or hand-work has been performed, Nature must 
have space in which to recuperate, and all devices for 
escaping from this necessity will fail. It is bad policy to 
set the house on fire to warm our hands by the blaze. Let 
it, then, be clearly understood that the temporary excitement 
produced by tobacco is gained by the destruction of vital 
force, and that it contains absolutely nothing which can be 
of use to the tissues of the body. 
Tobacco adds no potential strength to the human frame. 
It may spur a weary brain or feeble arm to undue exertion 
for a short time, but its work is destructive, not constructive. 
It cannot add one molecule to the plasm out of which our 
bodies are daily built up. On the contrary, it exerts upon it 
a most deleterious influence. It does not supply, but 
diminishes, vital force. 
It has been denied that tobacco leads to organic disease, 
but the evidence is very strong the other way, and it would 
be very remarkable if continued functional derangement did 
not ultimately lead to chronic derangement of the organs: 
that it causes functional disturbance no one dreams of 
VOL. Il. (N. S.) 3R 
