EFFECTS OF TOBACCO SMOKING ON 

 THE HUMAN SYSTEM 



It is a matter of very great importance for 

 the user of tobacco that he should have clear 

 information regarding the beneficial and harm- 

 ful effects of tobacco on the human mind and 

 body. There are very few matters which have 

 been the subject of such varied opinions; such 

 exaggeration and misconception. Those who 

 are opposed to the use of tobacco have not 

 hesitated to ascribe to it every form of evil, 

 physical, mental and moral. Insanity, epilepsy, 

 cancer, malignant throat disease, blindness, 

 heart disease and a host of other diseased con- 

 ditions are traced to tobacco smoking by its 

 enemies. On the other hand the users of to- 

 bacco are scarcely less vehement in holding that 

 no harmful effects follow, but ascribing all 

 kinds of virtue as resulting from its use. It is 

 not our object in this chapter to justify or 

 recommend the use, or to advise the avoidance 

 of tobacco ; we think it is a matter that the in- 

 dividual should decide for himself. Moreover, 

 we think that no general rules governing all 

 cases can be laid down, but that each individual 

 must judge for himself whether the use of to- 

 bacco is justified in his own particular case or 

 not, taking into consideration all the circum- 



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