authorities in England pointed out the import- 
ance of the mouth as a focus of infection in 
such diseases. Now if this is so, it is at once 
apparent how important tobacco as a mouth 
disinfectant and germicide becomes; and it may 
incidentally throw some light (otherwise un- 
explained) on the fact constantly observed that 
in persons under 80 years old these diseases arc 
far more common amongst women than in the 
case of men. The use of tobacco is not asserted 
as a reason, but it may be. 
With regard to other beneficial effects— 
Clouston, Fullerton and Marvin, state that the 
moderate use of tobacco has a beneficial effect 
on the digestive system as in general it causes 
an increased flow of saliva and gastric juice 
which helps in the digestion of food; it also 
stimulates the muscles and mucous membrane of 
the stomach and intestines. The sedative effects 
of tobacco on the nerves is a preventative of 
__ hervous dyspepsia and is valuable for the pro- 
motion of good digestion. 
While much has been written on the effects 
of excessive smoking on the nervous system little 
has been said of the good effects of moderate 
smoking. Every smoker realizes that the sooth- 
ing effects of tobacco on the nerves is perhaps 
its most valuable property. Clouston’s opinion, 
already quoted (and none could be better), is 
202 
