484 
THE NERVOUS SYSTEM OF MAN 
In Figure 423, Nos. I and II are the pulse records of a man 
of splendid physique, thirty-six years old and weighing 230 
pounds. No. I was taken before and No. II after smoking 
a cigar. He does not inhale. His pulse responded readily 
to the stimulus, but as the first tracing indicates he does not 
seem -to suffer from any heart prostrations between indul¬ 
gences. No. Ill is the record of a person whose vitality 
is temporarily low from nervous fatigue. No. IV is the 
record of a young woman who was on the verge of nervous 
prostration. No. V is 
representative of a heart 
weakened by long indul¬ 
gence in the smoking 
habit. The young man 
in question began early 
and continued the prac¬ 
tice till his physician con¬ 
vinced him of the extreme 
danger threatening his 
life. The pulse wave is 
nearly normal in length, 
but is entirely too weak. Under such conditions of heart 
action a man is capable of little courage or aggressiveness. 
Says Mr. McKeever: 
‘‘From the foregoing evidence we are led to the conclusion, that in 
the case of boys and youths, cigarette smoking is very deleterious to 
the physical and mental well-being. Moreover, my investigations 
indicate that it makes very little difference in the effects whether the 
victim uses pipe or cigarettes, provided he inhales the fumes; and 
with few exceptions the young smokers are inhalers. The ordinary 
case exhibits about the following type of conduct: (1) While the crav¬ 
ing is at its height the victim manifests much uneasiness and often much 
excitation. (2) During the indulgence the cheek is alternately flushed 
and blanched, the respiration considerably increased, and the hands 
tremble. (3) About twenty minutes after smoking the muscles become 
relaxed, the respiration slow and shallow, the skin on the face dry and 
sallow, and there is an apparent feeling of unconcern about everything.” 
