24 



ANTI-TOBACCO. 



the poisonous substance is, however, so great that, even 

 when a man knows he is bringing slowly upon himself such 

 a calamity as this, he will go on indulging m the so-called 

 luxury of the narcotic." 



Indictment One. 



The first indictment, therefore, against tobacco is, that 

 it is a poison. It is not food, and can furnish no nutriment 

 to build up the tissues of the system, or make amends 

 for its waste, or permanently energize its motive-power. 

 It is not a medicine that is safe to use, except in a few 

 critical cases, and that only under experienced medical 

 skill. As an emetic, a decoction of tobacco might expel 

 some active poisons from the system. I knew of one 

 instance in which it was successfully employed to relax 

 the muscles in lockjaw. Habitual tobacco-users, under 

 whatever form, must, therefore, be classed with opium, 

 hasheesh, absinthe, and alcohol users, as those who, to 

 a greater or less extent, and in proportion to the strength 

 or weakness of their constitution, abridge the duration of 

 life, and diminish its volume and capacity, by the intro- 

 duction of a potent enemy, an active poison, into the very 

 citadel of life. 



Indictment 2wo. 



The next indictment against tobacco is, that it is a 

 needless expense. The financial question is always a moral 

 question. Money is a trust to be used or abused. Morals, 

 as well as health and Ufe, are involved in the use of the lux- 

 uries and indulgences of society. While the habitual use 



