242 THE NERVOUS SYSTEM 



hoi is not the only narcotic poison that exercises this influence, 

 which is not kindly, but is in fact the first indication of a 

 paralysis of a portion of the nervous system. Most of the 

 habitual takers of alcohol freely admit that they are injured 

 by it in one way or another, and still they continue in their 

 indulgence. In such cases the mental balance is already lost ; 

 for a person to crave that which he knows to be hurtful to him 

 is manifestly not the sign of a sound mind. (Bead Note 18.) 



67. Tobacco and its Effects. Tobacco, familiarly known as 

 " the weed,' 7 is an annual plant said to be a native of America. 

 It grows to a height of several feet, with leaves of a pale green 

 color. These leaves, when dried, are made into cigars, chew- 

 ing and smoking tobacco, and snuff, which are extensively 

 used throughout the civilized world. 



68. Tobacco as a Poison. Tobacco is a poison to the young, 

 and is far more hurtful to the adult than is generally supposed. 

 It may be stated, as a rule, that there are few persons who use 

 it habitually that do not suffer injury from it. The injury is 

 mainly caused by what is known as " nicotine," one of the nar- 

 cotic poisons, and particularly prominent in tobacco. Some of 

 the effects of its limited use are nausea, vomiting, vertigo, and 

 weakness; and its prolonged use, by those who are sensitive 



18. "Here is a company of 'jolly good fellows,' all standing on their 

 feet, their faces red and radiant, and all swinging their arms and talking 

 at once. These men have been taking alcohol, and, surely, you will say, 

 it has stimulated them. But if you will attend for a moment to what 

 they are saying, you will see that there is no true brain-stimulation about 

 it. We shall be reminded rather of what Addison says of the difference 

 between the mind of the wise man and that of the fool : There are infi- 

 nite, numberless extravagancies, and a succession of vanities which pass, 

 through both. The great difference is that the first knows how to pick 

 and cull his thoughts for conversation, by suppressing some and com- 

 municating others ; whereas the other lets them all indifferently fly out 

 in words.' The case with these revelers is precisely this. The poison 

 which they have taken has paralyzed their conservative faculties, and the 

 talking propensity is running on without anything to hold it in check and 

 regulate it." Dr. A. F. Kinne. 



67. Describe the tobacco plant. 



68. What is its effect upon the nerves ? 



