EEVIEWS. 
365 
there can be little doubt that in most cases of vomiting the result of smoking, 
head symptoms — giddiness, &c. — present themselves prior to the convulsive 
contraction of the stomach. We entirely concur in the writer’s opinion that 
nicotine is not “ the author, one and indivisible, of the smoker’s pleasures 
and pains.” This view is borne out amply by Dr. Eichardsoii’s inquiries ; 
and we think that his experience fully supports the following statements : — 
“ Nicotine, though one of the most potent substances, is the last, owing to 
the smallness of its amount and its little volatility, to exert effects on the 
smoker. It is only, in fact, after prolonged smoking that it reaches the 
blood at all ; then, truly, it becomes the most active poison of the group, 
exciting symptoms which are at all times dangerous, sometimes fatal, and 
which, but for the rarity of their occurrence, would have excluded tobacco 
as a luxury a.t its first origin, without any aid from the moral crusaders against 
the weed.” V/e wish our space permitted our following Dr. Kichardson 
through his lucid description of the action of tobacco-smoke generally upon 
the system. In these we find that depth of thought and analytical power 
for which the writer is remarkable constantly displayed. Drawing from his 
stores of physiological knowledge, he has thoroughly sifted and replied to 
the several questions concerning the production of disease by tobacco-smoke, 
and to each and all he has given a negative reply. Does smoking produce 
cancer ? No. Or consumption ? No. Or loss of sight, smell, or hearing ? 
No. Such are Dr. Richardson’s answers, upon the assumption that the 
habit of smoking is not carried on to excess. In reasoning with scientific 
men, the writer must certainly gain his cause, though he is by no means a 
special pleader. There is somewhat more difficulty in convincing those who 
are ignorant of science, and are sceptical as to its results. For these he has 
a word or two which cannot fail to show the weakness of the anti-tobacconist 
views, and which we quote for the benefit of our readers : — 
“ Put down the smokers of Great Britain at a million in number — they 
are more than that, but let it pass — Why should there exist perpetually a 
million of Englishmen, not one of whom can at any moment be writ down 
as in perfect health from day to day ? Why should a million of men be 
living with stomachs that only partially digest, hearts that labour unnaturally, 
and blood that is not fully oxydized ? In a purely philosophical point of 
view, the question admits of but one answer — viz., that the existence of such 
a million of imperfectly-working living organisms is a national absurdity — a 
picture which, to a superior intelligence, observing the whole truth and 
grasping it, would suggest a mania, foolish, ridiculous, and incomprehensible.” 
These remarks, though forcible, are but just ; and those who have carefully 
travelled over the pages of Dr. Richardson’s brochure wiU admit their truth. 
The author has striven to achieve a good object, and every smoker should 
read his pamphlet. 
OUR WINES.* 
A dmitting that wine should hold a rank in the scale of aliments, we 
may say that there is no branch of dietary upon which so much has 
been written and so little taught. We could instance a score of treatises 
^ “Wines and other Fermented Liquors,” &c. By Jamss Richmond 
Sheen. London ; Flardwicke. 1865. 
