TOBACCO, INSANITY AND NERVOUSNESS. 13 



There is only one way to lessen the evil — it is the dis- 

 semination of knowledge of the baleful effects of tobacco 

 among the rising generation, initiated and sustained by the 

 three professions mentioned above. Of course they ought 

 practice first, what they are going to preach. 



But is there much prospect of such a movement at pres- 

 ent? I think not. I know of schools conducted by the 

 clergy, in which smoking is not only permitted to fourteen 

 years old — and even younger boys — but more or less 

 encouraged. I believe that its well known anaphrodisiac 

 effect, on account of which it was very popular among the 

 monks of Italy, several centuries ago, is possibly a reason 

 for the favor in which it is held at the present day in some 

 quarters. 



Again, I know of physicians who not only smoke to ex- 

 cess themselves or still worse, indulge to a morbid extent 

 in the unmannerly habit of chewing, but permit and even 

 encourage their own children to smoke. One of them was 

 in the habit of awarding his 13-year-old son by extra-good, 

 i. e! 9 extra-strong cigars for high numbers in school. It is 

 hardly necessary to add what became of this boy. He is 

 now a periodical inmate at various sanitariums for a com- 

 bination of bad habits. 



And the teachers? They are not lagging behind in con- 

 tributing to the army of tobacco slaves ; there are few that 

 raise their voices against the habit, for the very valid 

 reason that they are not fully cognizant of its evil effects 

 and smoke as much themselves as men in other vocations. 



In view of such discouraging facts I hardly expect much 

 good from this contribution and testimonial to the perni- 

 cious effects of tobacco, because the truth has not dawned 

 upon the multitude yet. As in the body politic, evils will 

 run their course, until there is a general uprising of com- 

 mon sense which disposes of them, so with the irrational 

 and excessive use of tobacco, which will probably go on 



