But, on the other hand, the immediate effects of tobacco are much less permanent than those of alcohol; its elements are more speedily eliminated through the action of the lungs, to which they pass in the blood, and also by the skin and kidneys, toward which organs the essential oil contained in tobacco has a much stronger tendency than alcohol has. It must be borne in mind, however, that the effect of tobacco upon the brain-cells is essentially and directly that of a narcotic, and in this respect differs from that of alcohol, which acts only indirectly as such, through its paralyzing influences upon the vaso-motor system; and therefore its immediate effects, while they continue, are more injurious, than would be those of alcohol, though, in reality, they are much less so, as they so soon pass off. It is the narcotic influence upon the brain which renders tobacco so injurious when used by young children and youth. The frequent repetition of this narcotic upon the nervous system in early life, serves to partially check its growth and development, and consequently must impede very greatly its normal activity and power of application and mental attainment. Both the intellectual and moral powers of the mind become less keen and sensitive, so that a less high standard in these departments of mentality is reached by those children who use tobacco than would otherwise be possible for them; and I am not surprised, therefore, to learn that, in consequence of observations as to the influence of tobacco upon the youth in the schools of both Germany and France, legal enactments, as against its use by these scholars, have been made. Such enactments ought to exist in the schools of all civilized countries, and I have no doubt the time will come when they will. It appears to me to be especially important that such legal enactments as against its use by children should obtain in this country, where the facilities for obtaining it are greater than in most others. The example of its use is almost constantly before little children when on the street. It is generally and lavishly used by a large proportion of men; the tax on it is lower, and the price cheaper, than elsewhere; and there exists a custom of throwing away half-used cigars on the streets and sidewalks, so that children can easily obtain the article without cost. It is rarely the case when in town that I do not see boys from six to twelve years of age, smoking together these half-used cigars. The children of the poor are frequently or nightly on the street long after dark, and are, consequently, very little under the restraint of parental government; they are constantly under the influence of the example of older persons in reference to this habit of smoking, and, therefore, are in danger of contracting it very early in life. In the absence of other restraint they specially need that of the guardians of law, and the highest interests of society require that they have it.