156 TOBACCO : ITS HISTORY. 



In the Scriptures we find the fact itself pro- 

 minently put forward — the praise of alcohol as a 

 comfort to the heart of man incidentally noticed 

 — its remedial efficacy recorded in the matter 

 of the stomach. 



Tliat alcohol has its uses in the human eco- 

 nomy I have endeavoured to show in a previous 

 page ; but I may appeal at once to the practice 

 of all nations, in all times, from Noah to the 

 present, for proof positive that alcohol has also 

 been a social modificatory and, as such, well worthy 

 of calm philosophical and medical consideration. 

 Its abuse relates to morals and the innate dignity 

 of man. 



It may be the same with regard to tobacco. 

 Dr. Levy, just quoted, says that tobacco has 

 nothing hygeinic — health-preserving — in it ; but 

 it is, rather, toxical — poisonous. Alcohol was long 

 in the same category, until rescued from the dis- 

 grace by Liebig, with whose views respecting the 

 respiratory function of alcohol Dr. Levy agrees ; 

 but it was long before an admitted social modi- 

 ficator. . Tobacco is clearly now in this category : 

 the time may come when some future Liebig 



