278 OUR BODIES AND HOW WE LIVE 



To illustrate roughly the passage of air through the glottis, force 

 the air through such a tube by blowing hard, and if the strips are 

 not too far apart a sound will be produced. The sound will vary in 

 character according as the bands are made tight or loose. 



382. Effect of Tobacco upon the Throat and Lungs. The 

 effect of tobacco upon the throat and lungs is frequently 

 marked and persistent. The smoke is an irritant, both by 

 its temperature and from its destructive ingredients. It 

 irritates and dries the mucous membrane of the mouth and 



throat, producing an unnatural thirst, which may 

 excite a craving for intoxicating liquors. 



The irritation of the throat may extend up the 

 Eustachian tubes and impair the hearing. 



Again, the breathing in of the poisonous smoke 

 produces unhealthful effects upon the delicate 

 mucous membrane of the bronchial tubes and of 

 FIG i 6 ^ e l un & s< Upon the former it often produces 

 an irritating cough, with short breath. The pul- 

 monary membrane may be congested ; taking cold then 

 becomes easy, and recovery from it is tedious. 



The habit of inhaling tobacco smoke, so common with 

 boys who smoke cigarettes, and then forcing it through 

 the nostrils, often causes inflammation of the air passages, 

 throat, and nose. Breathing air laden with tobacco smoke 

 may irritate and inflame the throat. Cigarette smoking 

 itself is irritating to the throat passages. 



383. Effect of Alcohol and Tobacco upon the Voice. The 

 peculiar harsh tone of the voice in those given to strong 

 drink is a familiar fact. The reason for it is plain. Alco- 

 holic liquors inflame and irritate the delicate lining of the 

 throat and of the vocal cords. This, after a time, may 

 make the mucous membrane lining thick and rough. 



