38 HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY CHAP. 



dwarfs physical growth and development of the young, 

 produces harmful effects upon many organs of the body, 

 as the brain, heart, and stomach, and acts in a most inju- 

 rious way upon the memory and all other mental powers. 

 42. Cigarettes. Cigarettes contain the same narcotic 

 poisons found in tobacco. The purest cigarette contains 

 nicotine. It is said that waste tobacco and cigar stumps 

 are frequently used in the manufacture of the cheaper 

 grades of cigarettes. Of course the amount of poison 

 in a cigarette must be very small, and yet the cigarette 

 habit so common among boys and young men is more 

 harmful to health and vigorous mental activity than the 

 use of tobacco in any other form. This is true because 

 the cigarette is so very mild that the smoker gets little 

 satisfaction unless some of the smoke is inhaled. In 

 this way the smoke affects not only the mouth, throat, 

 and nose, but all the air passages and even the lungs. 

 As the habit grows, more and more of the poison is 

 taken into the lungs, where it comes in contact with the 

 blood. It is then carried to all the organs and tissues 

 of the body. It is the way in which the cigarettes are 

 used that makes them so dangerous to the young. A 

 young man who wishes to keep his body well and strong 

 cannot afford to get into the habit of using narcotic 

 poisons in any form. 



SUMMARY OF THE MAIN POINTS 



i. Absolutely pure water is tasteless, but when it contains 

 only mineral salts or other things that are not injurious it is 

 the most palatable and healthful drink we have. 



