80 tobacco: its use and abuse. 



other oculist, who instantly detected tobacco to be the 

 cause of his blindness, as if the obnoxious stench of the 

 weed had led him at once to this conclusion. . J. W. 

 instantly " threw away tobacco for ever," visited a rela- 

 tive in the Highlands, where in a short time his vision 

 gradually returned, became clear, and enabled him t^ 

 return to his business quite cured. It is now six years 

 since he recovered, and he now can read a small printed 

 book without glasses. He says his health is much im- 

 proved since he gave up the pernicious weed. 



98. This case is important, as it explains how tobacco 

 affects us. If tobacco smoking produces such serious 

 effects on the nerves of the eyes, so as to cause blindness, 

 why may it not produce paralysis of any of the other 

 nerves, as those of the arms, legs, and indeed of every 

 other organ. (See page 34.) 



99. It would appear that the nerves of the mouth and 

 nostrils are first affected — then the brain — thirdly, the 

 nerves of the eyes — and lastly, the whole nervous system 

 At the same time, the poison, being mixed and swal- 

 lowed with the saliva, must be absorbed by the lanphatics 

 of the stomach and intestines, and be thus circulated 

 with the blood, and again act on the nervous system like 

 strychnine. 



100. I was consulted by a captain of dragoons, affected 

 with amaurosis, consequent on smoking tobacco, for which 

 he was compelled to sell his commission, after being 

 several years in the army, and only forty years of age. 

 I could not convince him that his smoking tobacco was 

 the cause of his blindness, and I suppose that he con- 

 tinues blind to this date. 



