112 TOBACCO. 



waste can only be diminished by diminishing action 

 or production. It is like the consumption of fuel 

 and the production of heat. It is easy to diminish 

 the draft of the furnace or engine, and so the con- 

 sumption of fuel ; but the production of heat is 

 diminished in the same proportion. This is pre- 

 cisely what is done to the functions of the body 

 by narcotics, including tobacco. They lower the 

 vigor and energy of every organ, and so its pro- 

 duction, and in the same desrree the waste. 



"I believe this is the correct statement of the 

 action of tobacco in the much talked-of relation 

 to waste : that from the scientific standpoint these 

 conclusions are inevitable ; and that from the medi- 

 cal, the experience of ninety-nine out of a hundred 

 of the profession clearly affirms their truth." 



I am aware that Dr. Tanner's endurance under 

 his Ions: fast is accounted for bv the sustaining 

 virtues of tissue. And the same advantage, result- 

 ing, it is said, from the use of tobacco — that it 

 tends to prevent the destruction of tissue — is 

 urged for the use of wine and spirits. To this, 

 as argued in the Saturday Review, Punch re- 

 sponds : — 



" Oh, thanks, dear Review, for that comforting creed, 

 For joining with temperance-humhug the issue ; 

 In Johnson and Webster in future we'll read 

 For 'drinking,' 'preventing destruction of tissue.' 



" O Daniel in judgment! for teaching that word 



You cannot conceive what good fortune we wish you. 

 Punch fills up a bumper, the downy old bird, 

 And 'prevents,' in your honor, 'destruction of tissue.'" 



