48 tobacco: its use and abuse. 



tongue must every smoker have had, when we consider 

 that every one with a disordered stomach has had on© 

 or more pimples on his tongue, which, had they been 



irritated with pungent tobacco smoke, as in Dr. B 's 



caso, would in all probability have ended in ulceration, 

 becoming cancerous, and ending fatally. 



60. Although the subject is yet far from being ex- 

 hausted, "the tobacco controversy" has nevertheless 

 elicited much additional information, valuable because 

 practical, as to the effect of smoking on the human 

 body, both in a physiological, pathological, and thera- 

 peutic aspect. The liberal and enlightened policy of 

 the editor of the Lancet j by opening the columns of his 

 journal as the medium for impartial investigation, de- 

 serves the warmest expression of thanks, not less from 

 the profession than the public ; and I make no apology 

 for availing myself of the many interesting contributions 

 which have there appeared on the subject. 



61. Experience is the only test to confirm the deci- 

 sions of truth, and refute the errors of mere authority. 

 But its verdict unfortunately is in many cases injuriously 

 delayed, in consequence of long-protracted and mislead- 

 ing exculpatory pleadings. " The evil that men do lives 

 after them; the good is oft interred tcith their boties;" 

 and this holds equally true with the customs, habits, etc. 

 of a country. The evils these occasion, live after them. 

 Their extent and magnitude are only known after they 

 have become so apparent that they cannot longer be de- 

 nied. And if the controversy evoked on the injurious 

 effects of excessive smoking, should gradually arrest the 

 progress of so dangerous a luxury, and sensibly diminish 



