The widespread use of tobacco has given rise to an equally wide discussion as to its effects on the human organism. Medical men are divided into hostile camps by their diversity of opinion as to the effects of nicotine on the adult. The subject has engaged the attention of reformers, educators, physical directors, scientists and physicians for many generations. Without attempting an exhaustive discussion of the subject, the author quotes the following from Dr. Clouston, an eminent English physician, as to the effect of tobacco upon the adult male: “The use of tobacco has become the rule rather than the exception among the grown men of Europe and America and of some parts of Asia. If its use is restricted to full-grown men, if only good tobacco is used, not of too great strength, and if it is not used to excess, then there are no scientific proofs that it has any injurious effects, if there is no idiosyncrasy against it. Speaking generally, it exercises a soothing influence when the nervous system is in any way irritable. It tends to calm and continuous thinking, and in many men promotes the digestion of food. To those good results there are, however, exceptions. It sometimes sets up a very strong desire for its excessive use; this often passing into a morbid craving which leads to excess and hurt. Used in such excessive quantity tobacco acts injuriously on the heart, weakens digestion, and causes congestion of the throat as well as hindering mental action. In many people its use tends towards a desire for alcohol as well. I have repeatedly seen persons of a nervous temperament where the two excesses in tobacco and alcohol were linked together. Tobacco, properly used, may, in some cases, undoubtedly be made a mental hygienic.” Notwithstanding the insufficient scientific data available as to the results of nicotine on mature men, there is a strong belief on the part of numerous physicians and others that its effect is deleterious. There is no diversity of opinion, however, as to the injury wrought by nicotine on the morals, mind, and body of the adolescent boy. Authorities who have given the subject exhaustive investigation and careful thought are unanimous in their conclusions that the use of tobacco in any form before maturity is injurious. Physical deterioration as a result of tobacco and especially of cigarettes has been conclusively demonstrated by measurements and tests of large numbers of young men in colleges, which show beyond question that physical growth is stunted; lung capacity, without which an athlete cannot achieve distinction, is lessened; the nervous system is irritated and the heart action is depressed. The lungs are rendered susceptible to pulmonary and tubercular infection and the mental development of the boy receives a serious check. Such physical and mental influences cannot fail in producing moral defects as well.