authorities in England pointed out the import- 

 ance of the mouth as a focus of infection in 

 such diseases. Now if this is so, it is at once 

 apparent how important tobacco as a mouth 

 disinfectant and germicide becomes ; and it may 

 incidentally throw some light (otherwise un- 

 explained) on the fact constantly observed that 

 in persons under 30 years old these diseases are 

 far more common amongst women than in the 

 case of men. The use of tobacco is not asserted 

 as a reason, but it may be. 



With regard to other beneficial effects 

 Clouston, Fullerton and Marvin, state that the 

 moderate use of tobacco has a beneficial effect 

 on the digestive system as in general it causes 

 an increased flow of saliva and gastric juice 

 which helps in the digestion of food; it also 

 stimulates the muscles and mucous membrane of 

 the stomach and intestines. The sedative effects 

 of tobacco on the nerves is a preventative of 

 nervous dyspepsia and is valuable for the pro- 

 motion of good digestion. 



While much has been written on the effects 

 of excessive smoking on the nervous system little 

 has been said of the good effects of moderate 

 smoking. Every smoker realizes that the sooth- 

 ing effects of tobacco on the nerves is perhaps 

 its most valuable property. Clouston's opinion, 

 already quoted (and none could be better), is 



202 



