Ellis's Primary Physiology; Or, Good Health for Boys and GirlsEllis, Edward Sylvester
General
Ellis's Primary Physiology; Or, Good Health for Boys and Girls
Ellis, Edward Sylvester
Hygiene -- Juvenile literature; Physiology -- Juvenile literature
Cigarette smoking is almost certain to produce catarrh, one of the most
offensive and incurable diseases. This arises from the fact that the
cigarette being much shorter than a cigar, the smoke is inhaled to a
greater extent. You have seen boys swallow the smoke and puff it through
the nostrils, thus inviting catarrh.
CAUSES ASTHMA.
Cigarette smoking tends also to cause asthma.
OTHER EVIL EFFECTS.
It renders the system more liable to attacks of pneumonia and
bronchitis. It destroys a healthy appetite for solid food, and by the
constant spitting it causes, excites a craving for drink. Many instances
are known where the nerves of the eye have been destroyed by cigarette
smoking. The following are the words of Dr. S. H. Keep, one of the
leading physicians of Brooklyn:
“If one could select a fine, healthy boy of from twelve to fifteen years
of age, well known for his fine physique, even disposition, and great
strength, and start him in his career as a cigarette smoker under the
observant eye of the public, what results might not accrue from such
example as the panorama was unfolded to them?
“The decay of physical power, emaciation, the irritable temper, the
sallow complexion, the drawn and anxious look, the unsteadiness of the
hands, the dyspepsia, the capricious appetite, the aversion to parental
and other advice, the tendency to seek lower companionship, could hardly
fail to leave its impress upon such an audience.
“More especially in the nervous diathesis[1] does this rapid decay make
itself apparent, and in varying degrees according to the amount of
indulgence. Physicians daily watch this process with pain and anxiety
for those intrusted to their care. Indeed, if my own professional
experience were to be my guide, I could declare the evil of cigarette
smoking to be even greater than that of alcohol.”
Footnote 1:
Di ath´ e sis—A condition of the body which, predisposes it to a
particular disease.
So alarming has become this evil that in some States, laws have been
passed against cigarette smoking. But I trust that if any of you has
felt like forming the vile habit, your own good sense will not allow you
to do so.
* * * * *
What is the first step toward the ruin of the body and soul? What is
the second step? What follows?
Where will you be by this time? What then will follow?
How is it that some boys do not seem to suffer from cigarette
smoking? What takes place every year?
How many cigarettes were smoked in this country in 1883? Of what are
they generally made? What of saltpetre?
What is said of the genuine Havana cigarette? Are there many genuine
ones made?
What of the oil of tobacco? Of the oil of the paper?
How does smoking affect the young?
What loathsome disease is almost certain to result from cigarette
smoking? Why?
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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