INFLUENCE ON THE HUMAN SYSTEM. 103 



The ' MODUS opeRxVndi ' of Smoking. 



I do not believe that the poison takes effect 

 through the lungs ; clearly, if it did so, similar 

 effects would follow in all who breathe the vapour 

 of tobacco for the first time, which is contrary to 

 all experience. The modus operandi of smoking 

 has never yet been explained by the Faculty ; 

 and, with all due deference, I venture to offer 

 them the following solution. The general reader 

 must excuse the mystical terms of anatomy, since 

 it is to the medical profession that I submit the 

 suggestion. 



Even the most inveterate smoker experiences 

 a most unpleasant sensation if he retains the 

 smoke in his mouth, forcing it backwards against 

 the fauces. I attribute the whole of the effects 

 previously described in the case of the novice, to 

 the irritation of the glosso-pharyngeal nerve and 

 its branches. In ihQ jugular fossa this nerve pre- 

 sents a gangliform swelling, and, thence passing 

 forwards between the jugular vein and internal 

 carotid artery to the stylo-pharyngeus muscle, it 

 descends along its inferior border to the hyo- 



