THE BEAUTIES AND DEFORMITIES TOBACCO-USING; ITS LUDICROUS AND ITS SOLEMN REALITIES. BY' L. B. COLES, M. 1). FELLOW OP TUB MASSACTH'SKITS MEDICAL SOCIETY, AND MEMTiER OP THE BOSTON MEDICAL ASSOCIATION. AUTHOR OF THE " PHILOSO- PHY OF HEALTH, OR HEALTH WITHOUT MEDICINE." LI B RARY SISRSEONTaePieWiL'S OFFICEj JA.\~B!900 BOSTON: TICKX 0K jj: KE1), AX1) I'lKLPS. M DCCO UV. Sntered according to Act of Oongress, in the year 1851, BY L. B. COLES, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of Massachusetts, Stereotyped by HOBAKT & BOBBINS, BOSTON. Printed by Geo. C. Rand. PREFACE. This work is dedicated to God and humanity — under the fullest conviction that the habit which it attacks has become one besetting sin of the church; and of all oral indulgences, the greatest ENEMY OF PHYSICAL LIFE. Ever since entering the medical profession — while in its active practice, and since travelling and observing its workings throughout the States during the last three years — this dreadful truth has pressed upon me with increasing weight. Under this conviction and feeling, my pen has done what seemed to be the dictates of duty; and the result, in hope that some good may be done, is sacredly consecrated to the Author of nature, and the highest interests of my fellow-men. It was principally written on steamboat, on my second visit to New Orleans; and partly in Gal- veston, Texas, with small additions since my return home. It is the product of twenty-live years' in- creasing convictions of truth. This is the most potent enemy of right physical if not right moral character, which is making pop- 4 PREFACE. ular warfare against the interests of the American people. There is no foe to human society that is so enticing, so enslaving, or so invincible. It is to be hoped that every friend of health and virtue will read, be open to conviction, and come to the rescue of the present generation and the race. Let him enlist against the great enemy of physical life, moral culture, and Christian enterprise. Health and longevity are Christian duties; and their abuse, by needless ignorance and lust, is a crime against Nature and Nature's God. And from the punishment of that crime, there is no redemption. Whoever wars with Nature must sometime pay the damages. Let the slaves of habit awake. Let them break their bonds, and achieve their freedom. And let them lend a helping hand in plucking others from the fire that is consuming them; and not rest till the foul monster shall be conquered. L. B. C. This work can be had wholesale of George C. Rand, wholesale agent, No. 3 Cornhill, Bos- ton. 1 CONTENTS. | [ts Puysical Deformities. PAGE Tobacco as a Luxury.............. 1 Tobacco as a Medicine..............29 Tobacco on Health,...............37 Tobacco on Posterity, .............65 Its Moral Deformities. Tobacco as a Vice,...............70 Tobacco on Intellect...............74 Tobacco on Morality,..............83 Tobacco on Religion...............96 Its Beauties, Personal Beauties,............... 11/ Social lioauties,................122 Domestic Beauties,...............128 Public Beauties.................133 Statistics...................137 Earnest Appeal,................140 1* INTRODUCTION. Tins Treatise as before remarked, is written from the fullest conviction of its fatal ravages upon human health and longevity. From a pretty extended examination into the nature of the article, and the prevalence of its use, it is my settled conviction that it is now doing a more deadly work to the physical welfare of the American people than alcoholic liquors. The devastations of alcohol are fearful beyond the power of pen or tongue to tell; but the destructiveness of this dreadful poison to the physical system, though now comparatively unperceived by the popular eye, is more cer- tain and irresistible. * If fate would chain me to one or the other of these degrading habits, let me be fastened to the use of any quantity of alcoholic liquor short of prostrate intoxication, rather than to the deadly narcotic power of this poisonous weed, liesides being a more filthy sin than liquor-drinking, the use of tobacco, in any form, to the same excess, more effectually de- 8 INTRODUCTION. ranges the natural action of the system. It makes wider inroads into Nature's arrange- ments than alcohol. It disturbs in a greater degree the natural currents of life. Hence it becomes almost infinitely harder for any one to break up the habit of using tobacco, than the habit of using alcohol. In this work, it is my intention to present the simple unvarnished truth; so that every one who will read it, can easily understand what kind of influences he is exerting-upon the house he occupies, and what kind of con- sequences he may expect to suffer from his present destructive course. In using the terms "Beauties" and "Deformities," it is intended to introduce under the latter, the real nature of the article, and its destructive influ- ences upon the human body, and mind, and soul; and under the former, used ironically, the debasing, filthy, and ludicrous aspects in which the habit presents itself upon the face of civilized, intelligent society; hoping that all who read, especially those who are still held in bondage iby this enslaving appetite, may examine this matter with the eyes of reason, common sense, and conscience, fully open to all the truth, and with solemn resolu- tion to abide their righteous decisions and demands. TOBACCO-USING. ITS PHYSICAL DEFORMITIES. I 'nder this general head, using the terms with a little license, it is proposed to speak of the use of tobacco for unnatural purposes; its perverted uses; uses contrary to Nature's ar- rangements; uses for which the (lod of nature never intended it; uses which derange Na- ture's processes, and deform the beautiful work of the Creator in the functions of organic life. TOBACCO AS A LUXURY. The question is often proposed, "For what was tobacco made?" and it is asked evidently for the purpose of proving that, because it is a natural production, it is proper to use it for chewing, smoking and snuffing. But is everything that is made, or, in other words, everything that is a natural product, every- thing that grows on the soil, to be used as a luxury .' If so. Opium grows, and therefore 10 TOBACCO-USING. should be chewed, or otherwise habitually used. Deadly-Nightshade and Henbane are productions of nature; and should these, there- fore, become habitual luxuries? Tobacco, doubtless, with other kindred poi- sons, was intended for medicinal purposes. It is one of the most powerful agents which grows on the earth. It is one of the very strongest of poisons. It possesses about three times the power of opium in the same form. A single drop of the concentrated oil, put upon the tongue of the stoutest dog, will destroy life. It is said, by one writer, that if a man were to dip both of his hands into that oil, with a skilful surgeon by his side, his hands could not be amputated in season to save his life. Dr. Mussey, of Cincinnati, Ohio, in an essay on tobacco, has given several experi- ments made by himself with the distilled oil. The experiments were chiefly on cats. Two of those experiments must suffice. "A small drop of the oil was rubbed upon the tongue of a large cat. Immediately the animal uttered piteous cries, and began to froth at the mouth." After narrating various symp- toms which occurred within the space of seven minutes, he adds: "At this time a large drop was rubbed upon the tongue. In an II AS A LUXURY. 11 instant the eyes were closed, the cries were stopped, and the breathing Avas suffocative and convulsed. In one minute, the ears Avere in rapid convulsive motion; and, presently after, tremors and violent convulsions extended over the body and limbs. In three and a half minutes, the animal fell upon its side, sense- less and breathless, and the heart had ceased to beat." Half an hour after death the body was opened, and startling changes were found to have taken place. Narrating another experiment, the doctor says: " Three drops of the oil of tobacco were rubbed upon the tongue of a full-sized, but young cat. In an instant the pupils Avere dilated and the breathing convulsed; the animal leaped about as if distracted, and pres- ently took two or three rapid turns in a small circle, then dropped upon the floor in frightful convulsions, and was dead in two minutes and forty-five seconds from the moment that the , oil Avas put upon the tongue." Dr. Brodie applied a single drop of the empyreumatic oil to the tongue of a cat; upon Avliich, bodily prostration and convulsions ensued. Another drop Avas applied, and the animal died in two minutes. Dr. Franklin applied the oily material Avhich floats on the surface of Avater, Avhen a current of tobacco- 12 TOBACCO-USING. smoke is passed into it, to the tongue of a cat and found it to destroy life in a few minutes. These experiments upon cats are strong testimony of its power; for there are few animals that possess so great tenacity for life. It is a very difficult matter to kill them, even by the severest concussions of the brain. They have great power and resistance of nerve. Such is the tenacity of the vital principle to the brain and nerves, that they have often been supposed to be dead by blows applied to the head, and afterward found alive and apparently well. Probably blows upon the head sufficient to kill a full-grown cat, Avould be found sufficient, Avhen applied in the same way, to kill two ordinary men. Tobacco destroys life by its direct attack on the vital forces; in other.words, the nervous circulation or electrical currents of the body. It strikes a deadly blow upon the very founda- tion of animal vitality. Its first attack is on the nervous system, the citadel of life; and then, through the medium of the nerves, it sends, by degrees, its destroying power into all the fluids and solids of the whole bcdy. Look at its exhibitions in those who for the first time use it. See Avhat aAvful prostration of the nerves follows. See how the powers of Na- AS A LUXURY. 13 lure rouse themselves to repel the attack. Not only extreme prostration of the nerves of the stomach ensues, but avc find that organ rous- ing all its crippled energies to oppose the attack, by vomiting up the deadly foe. There are very few tobacco-users who did not find it a difficult matter to break themselves into the habit of taking it. Its use as a luxury is a direct violation of all the instincts of animal life. It is revolting to all the natural and undepraved senses. The taste of the clean mouth is dis- gusted Avith its touch : the sight of the unac- customed eye, turns away with abhorrence from its loathsome spectacle: the uncorrupted nasal susceptibilities are offended Avith its in- sulting approaches. It is only when these senses are corrupted and depraved by its gradual seductions, that*they are able to toler- ate its presence. It is only Avhen, by a vio- lation of their instincts, they have become diseased in their functions, have lost their healthy susceptibilities, and taken on a mor- bid functional character. It is offensive also to the unensnared mind. No man avIio is free from its enslaving potency can Avitness its physical aspects, or contemplate its personal or popular bearings, Avithout pain. Take those Avhonow use it, cleanse them from 11 TOBACCO-USING. all its corrupting influences and associations, and send them to some place Avhere the in- habitants, like the great mass of the American people, especially in the South and \\ est, are presenting all the disgraceful features of this most offensive of all vices, and every single man Avould turn away with disgust from such society. He would not be able to bear, with- out pain, the various disgusting and loathsome aspects in which the habit presents itself. He would regard it as outraging all decency, and insulting every attribute of human nature. It is one of the most unnatural and poison- ous things that can be taken into the mouth. Its principal chemical ingredient is Nicotine. It belongs to the same order of poisonous plants Avith Henbane, Thorn-apple, and Deadly- Nightshade. The learned and celebrated naturalist Linnaeus classifies it with Foxglove, Lobelia, Henbane, and other poAverful poisons, under the name ATROPA,one of the Fates. An appetite for it is entirely unnatural — artificial —created by habit. God never made in man the appetite for tobacco. A very few instances have occurred where a love for it is found to exist from birth. Those cases are doubt- less to be accounted for, by tracing their origin back to some mental freak of the mother prior to their birth, or by its inveterate use by the AS A LUXURY. 15 father; and not to be reckoned as coming from any direct law of Deity in the formation of man. (iod never purposed for man an appetite for this poisonous Aveed, nor made it to be used as a luxury. He made man for more elevated enjoyments ; for more dignified practices; fur more reasonable devotions. God made man upright—in his own image; but he has sought out many inventions. Fallen and degraded as man now is, there comes with the fall no moral necessity for his adding to bis degradation by low and indecent violations of the laws of his physical nature. lie has no occasion for dissatisfaction Avith his natural appetites, while they are rightly treated and kept within due indulgence. All his natural appetites are right in themselves, and, while treated rightly, will all' contribute to true happiness and health. It is from undue indulgence of natural appetites, and the creating and fostering of those wholly foreign to his nature, that disease, and suffering, and premature death, are brought on. Men seem to think they must have. Iioaa'- ever unnatural and unpromising to health it may be, some one, at least, favorite indulg- ence. And tobacco-using has become, to ihe vast majority of men, that favorite. Instead ol studying the true economy of life, calculat- 16 TOBACCO-USING. ing their highest earthly interests, and trust- ing in the unabused resources of nature for the enjoyment of life, they madly seek to make themselves happy by indulgences which are unnatural, uncongenial to the constitution, and bring on early old age, and a premature grave. The remark is often made, in reference to this habit, as Avell as in multiplied other in- stances, " I want to enjoy life Avhile I do live:" as much as to say, ' The God of nature has given us such meagre natural resources of happiness, that it becomes necessary for us to get up artificial means, — means contrary to nature, and in direct conflict Avith the laAV of Deity revealed in the human constitution.' Hoav foolish men are to indulge the idea that they can excel the skill of the Almighty in establishing ways and means of human happiness! While men are resorting to such agents in securing the desired ends of life, they are digging aAvay, most effectually, the under- pinning of the house they live in; so that, though it may stand to-day, looking as though it Avould remain safe a hundred years to come, to-morrow it falls with fearful crash, because the last stone that bore it up is torn aAvay. Nature will bear abuse as long as she can. AS A LUXURY. 17 without complaint; but by and by she will ut- ter groans of agony, and cease to maintain her equilibrium. That man is insane Avho in- dulges the idea of increasing his amount of happiness in this life, by seeking to do it at the expense of the true resources of Nature. The Creator has supplied, even to this fallen Avorld, abundant resources for the com- fort and happiness of man. He has caused the earth to bring forth plentifully its rich fruits, to supply him Avith the most healthful nutrition to support his vitality. He has also given a natural appetite for these fruits; so that while they give strength and vigor, they also give pleasure to his physical tastes, — Avhile he is delighting his taste in their luxnrious- ness, he is supporting life. But Avhen he resorts to tobacco, or any other unnatural thing, to add to the enjoy- ment of human life, he is actually diminish- ing it. While he resorts to this, he is doing violence to his natural instincts; and those instincts, thus mutilated and crushed, become gradually paralyzed and insensible; so that they can no longer rightly appreciate the true luxuries which the Creator has furnished for our comfort and benefit. The most delicious fruits, which so delight the unabused natural taste, become to the tobacco-user compara- 2* 18 TOBACCO-USING. lively stale and tasteless. The real enjoyment to be derived from them is less, because that deadly Aveed has Aveakened the sensibility of his natural appetites. Besides impairing om natural physical tastes, it deadens our natural mental tastes. The Author of nature has furnished abund- ant resources of beauty for the delight of the mind, through the optic, auditory, and olfac- tory avenues. But this deadly narcotic stifles their perceptive and discriminating poAvers. A profound worshipper of this* demon weed is less able to appreciate any beauty in the flowery field, the harmony of voices, or the odor of natural perfumery. His susceptibil- ities to these divinely instituted luxuries of human life, are oppressed and benumbed. He makes an exchange of these heaven-born delights, for that loathsome, inconvenient, and sub-brutish violation of nature. While the natural sensibilities of the un- narcotized man are awake to the variegated beauties furnished by the different kingdoms of nature, the tobacco-user's chief delight is con- fined to puffing and champing the dirty plug, and spitting in all directions its abominable fluids. While the one is feasting on the rich luxuries which Heaven has spread over earth, the other, a bond-slave, is working hard at the AS A LUXURY. 19 tobacco-mill, grinding the weed, expressing its juice, and spreading its odor and essence upon everything Avithin his reach. The drunkard drinks because he wants to enjoy himself. He, too, Avants to live while he does live. And if he indulges only with moderate drunkenness, he is not Avasting as rapidly his true resources of life and comfort, as he who gluts himself Avith that more deadly poison, tobacco. He uses an article Avhich burns up the vital powers by its stim- ulus merely. But tobacco, besides possess- ing a burning power by virtue of its stim- ulus, continually deadens and paralyzes the vital energies of the body by its narcotic properties. If a man possessing a large fortune should squander it in costly entertainments and ex- travagant enjoyments, till he had reduced himself to poverty and beggary, would he not label himself, in the eyes of all Avho kneAV him, a consummate fool 1 And is he less a fool Avho is guilty of squandering property of higher value than oceans of gold, Avhich Providence has cast into his hands? What sane man will Avaste the vital properties of his nature, destroy his health, and make himself a miserable sufferer for the rest of life? Who squanders the greater wealth. 20 TOEACCO-USING. and Avho the greater fool, he Avho squanders sihrer and gold, houses and'lands, or he who treats Avith shameless Avantormess the life and health Avhich God has given him? If man Avould pay the same respect to his oavii instincts Avhich the dumb animals are accustomed to do, — if he Avould behave him- self Avith as much propriety in this respect as (he brute creation, he Avould save himself from vast suffering. If he Avould follow the example of the brute, in scorning the taste of this deadly poisonous vegetable, he would ele- vate his own dignity. But, in using it, he de- grades himself beloAV the level of the brute. He takes that into his mouth which the brute creation, as a standing rule, will not eat. There are but three kinds of animals Avhich generally will taste it. The Rock Goat of Africa, Avhose stench is so insufferable that no other animal can approach it, the To- bacco Worm, Avhose intolerable image gives to every beholder an involuntary shudder, and one other sort of non-descript animal, Avhose tobacco-frothings and spittings defile his OAvn visage, bespatter and bedaub every- thing Avithin his reach; Avho besmudges and pollutes the atmosphere, with his nauseous fumigations, and whose Stygian breath seems AS A LUXURY. 21 to denote approximation to some bottomless pit. Tobacco is a narcotic stimulant. Its char- acter, in this respect, resembles that of opium, but possesses greater power in the same form. It gives an unhealthy stimulus to the nerArous system, Avhich is followed by a narcotic or deadening influence. Its narcotic and par- alyzing poAver is not easily discerned Avhile its stimulus is kept up: nor is the reacting and debilitating influence of alcohol detected while some degree of its intoxication is con- tinued. But let any one, long accustomed to the stimulus of tobacco, cease to use it for forty-eight hours, and he will probably have a fair view of its narcotic and destroying power. The Avhole nervous system Avill be found prostrated; the poAver of muscular ex- ertion greatly diminished; the mind exceed- ingly deranged and prostrated; the memory gone; the disposition disturbed. In short, the whole man is found in a debilitated, de- ranged, topsy-turvy condition, which defies description. Here may be seen the poAver of this destroying angel upon body, soul, and spirit, by its narcotic properties. It gradually supplants the vital energies of the body. Natural vitality is being driven 22 TOBACCO-USING. out, and the narcotic stimulus of tobacco is taking its place. Genuine vitality is being dispersed and wasted, and a counterfeit is being furnished. Instead of a healthy elec- tric fluid circulating throughout the nerves, — instead of a healthy vital force pervading the neiwous system,— there is found the deadly narcotic poAver of this poison, sending its ex- citing and paralyzing influence into every nerve of the body. This is a perversion of Divine law. As be- fore said, Nature bears ill-treatment without murmuring as long as she can, so that the aser of this poison verily flatters himself that it is harmless. He goes on destroying his native vitality, and supplying this counterfeit, to which he has become so strongly attached; feeling the glow of hourly excitement Avhich it gives, Avithout perceiving the Avaste going on in his natural vitality, till Nature, no longer able to bear abuse, boAvs doAvn under her cruel load. And even then, such is the blind- ing nature of this infernal charm, that the sufferer does not perhaps perceive the true cause of this Avreck of health, but tries to quiet himself under the Heaven-insulting idea that this is a visitation of Providence. By Avay of proving that tobacco drives out natural vitality, as just stated, let the use of it AS A LUXURY. 23 be discontinued a feAV days, and he will soon find his vital energies weakened; and if a large consumer, he Avill find them exceed- ingly prostrated. His natural energies of life and of mind will be so far prostrated, that he will be ready to conclude that his very continuance in life depends upon his re- turn to the deadly thing; and though he may have supposed his resolution to quit it to be strong, there are nine chances in ten that, like the dog, he will return to his vomit again. Its work of destruction on the powers of life, as before remarked, is generally unper- ccived. If it Avould kill men suddenly, Avith as much certainty as it is killing them grad- ually, they Avould be frightened into its dis- use. But, though gradual in its Avork of ruin, it kills as truly as though its first touch Avas death. Tobacco as truly intoxicates the brain and nerves as does alcohol. The word "intoxi- cate" is derived from tAVo Greek Avords, en and toxon; the toxon Avas an arroAv dipped in poison, to render its wound more certainly fatal. He avIio had received this into his flesh Avas intoxicated. He, too, Avho receives any other poison into his system, has a meas- ure ot intoxication proportioned to its poAver and quantity. Tobacco being a more poAver- 24 TOBACCO-USING. ful poison than any other used by the known Avorld as a luxury, it therefore more poAver- fully intoxicates the system than any other. Though it is not hoav pushed to an extent Avhich results in immediate insanity, like alco- hol, yet its tendency is that Avay; and the habit of depending on its intoxicating proper- ties is more steadfast, unremitting, and un- conquerable. The more inveterate the poison habitually used, the more powerful are its chains binding to slavery. Those Avho have been addicted habitually to alcohol and to- bacco, and have quit them both, will uni- formly testify that it was almost infinitely more difficult to conquer the latter than the former. The degree of morbid excitement which it produces is not generally known. The smok- ing of a single cigar Avill create such a degree of fever as to increase the number of the pulse from fifteen to tAventy beats in a min- ute. The pulse which beats naturally seven- ty strokes per minute will be increased to eighty-five or ninety. Such, too, is the effect of chewing. No man can be constantly pro- voking such a febrile action of his system. Avithout gradually exhausting the forces of physical life. AS A LUXURY. 25 Objection is sometimes raised against the proof of its poisonous power, on the ground that men live under its use to old age. So, too, some live to old age Avho have kept themselves literally pickled in alcoholic li- quor. Some have lived to advanced age who Avere habitual opium-eaters. Do these instances prove the habitual use of opium and alcohol to insure health and longevity? They only prove the native strength and firmness of their natural constitutions; and enhance the guilt of those Avhose habits show a disregard for the possession of such bless- ings. The habit of using this article tends to lessen its immediately perceptible effect. Hut Avhat is the true philosophy of this? How is it that a man by habit can use such a quantity, and not kill himself outright? The answer presents a fearful truth. It is this: the habit of using it tends to stupefy and paralyze the immediate sensibility of the nerv- ous system to its properties. The more it is used, the less vivid are the nervous suscepti- bilities to it. And that deadening process is going on as long as the tobacco shall continue to be used. And in the latter part of life, if not before, its deadly Avorkings will more clearly develop themselves in local diseases, or in tho form of a broken constitution. . 26 TOBACCO-USING. Nature's feelers after danger, set to watch day and night for her safety, become stupid and insensible, by being long drugged with narcotism. Her physical perceptions are com- paratively destroyed. They lie prostrate and trodden under foot of her assassins. Theii voice is hushed, and the destroyers riot on undetected, till her habitation is demolished; and she, ravished of her virtue and her pride, is abandoned to Avantonness and ruin. The habitual use of any poison will pro- duce analogous results. Habitual opium-eat- ers so overcome the susceptibility of the nervous system to an immediate recogni- tion of the narcotic power of this drug, that they only perceive its stimulating properties, and verily think they are made better by its use. So, too, persons may for a long time continue taking arsenic, till they can bear a quantity that Avould destroy the life of two or three persons, who should divide the same quantity between them for a first dose. In like manner as the continuance in crime tenls to stupefy the conscience, so the con- tinuance of poisons to the body blunts its susceptibility to impressions. Want of con- science, or its obtuseness by oft-repeated crime, does not relieve the weight of real guilt; nor do oft-repeated poisons to the body IS A LUXURY. 27 diminish their intrinsic power. Though un- seen for a time, their inundating forces upon the foundations of health and life will finally manifest themselves; and perhaps too late to make amends. Many chewers of tobacco take enough every day to kill any three men who never used it before, if compelled to use it in the same way, for the same time. Take one man's twenty-four hours quantum, cut it into three equal parts, and give them to three men, compelling them to use the article in the same way, and they would all be, within twenty- four hours, dead men. Although men para- lyze the susceptibility of their nerves to its perceptible power, yet its poison is there, and takes permanent lodgment in the system. The habit of using it does not lessen its ready poisonous property, but only the susceptibility ol the nerves to take cognizance of its presence and destructive potency. The use of tobacco, as already stated, not only strikes a deadly blow on the nerves, but sends its essences throughout all the fluids of the body. The tobacco flavors, denoting I he presence of its essential properties, can be detected in the blood taken from a tobacco- user's veins. Lvery drop of blood that passes through his heart, that circulates through his 2S TOBACCO-USING. arteries, and flows back through his veins, is flavored and impregnated Avith the essence of this offensive drug. And from this tobacco- nized blood the secretions of the various glands and membranes of the Avhole body are made; so that every drop of the fluids of the Avhole system becomes saturated Avith the foul tincture. Tobacco is not only carried Avith the circu- lating fluids, but into all the solids. In proof of this, it is an incontrovertible fact that the race of human beings called cannibals—from their habit of eating human flesh — detect in the flesh of tobacco-users, by the flavor and the taste, the presence of the article, and cast that flesh aside, as unfit for their use. The reputation of human flesh, among cannibals, therefore, is destroyed by being tobacconized. The use of the article Avould destroy, also, the reputation of the hog fatted for pork. Let a farmer bring his pork to market; and, on being asked how it Avas fatted, if he should say, ' Fatted chiefly on tobacco,' no man of sense — not even the tobacco-cheAver or smoker himself—would purchase the pork. Such Avould be the intuitive perception of the una- voidable tobacconization of the flesh thus fatted, that every one Avculd reject it, at any price, as unfit for market. AS A MEDICINE. 29 TOBACCO AS A MEDICINE. It has already been stated that the proper place for tobacco is upon the list of medicinal agents. But it has too often been proposed for such a purpose where it was exceedingly ill-advised. .Medical men have often shown themselves in this respect great novices in science, and in matters of common sense. This article has often been prescribed where the remedy was infinitely Avorse than the dis- ease. Many have said, •'Tobacco was rec- ommended to me by a physician, to cure a Avatery stomach." The first objection to its use in any such case, or, indeed, in any other case by mouth, is, it never cures the disease. The second objection is, it is never taken like other medicines, and then laid aside. If a man begins taking it, he takes it eternally — he finds no leaving-off place. A man takes it for a watery stomach; —how came that watery stomach ? Did the Creator make a mistake in the structure of the man? or did the man himself, or through his parents, by some violation of law, reach that condition in the form of a penalty ? That Avatery stomach Avas the result of some Avrong habits estab- lished by himself or those who had the charge of his childhood, or by hereditary influence. 3* 30 TOBACCO-USING. All tnat can be done, or that is generally need- ed, in such a case, is, abstaining from the cause which produced and prolonged the difficulty, and giving nature a chance to relieve herself of her disease. Instead of advising this, some medical ignoramuses have not only allowed their patients to continue the unlaAvful burden upon Nature's back, but have piled on an addi- tional and heavier one, in the form of habitual drugging with tobacco. And yet they never in this way get a cure. A man takes this so called medicine for forty years perhaps, but gets no cure. Let him cease tobacco, and he will find his watery stomach still in existence. Tobacco only covers up the fire, but never puts it out. He has taken the doctor's medi- cine faithfully, many times a day, for forty years, but has yet gained no cure. How long Avould a man of common sense take the doctor's prescription of any other medicine, and, finding no cure, be willing to continue it? Would he be willing to take ipecac, calomel or jalap, thirty or forty years, eight or ten doses per day. Avithout any signs of cure? Tobacco allays the morbid state of stomach, not by creating a healthy action, but by creating a greater morbid action. The tobacco disease is so much greater than the one for which it was taken, that it puts the AS A MEDICINE. 31 former complaint into the shade, but does not remove it: it merely covers it up where it is not noticed till the tobacco is discontinued. The quack Avho prescribes tobacco by mouth — no matter what his claims to respect in other things — the quack who does this, acts on the fundamental principle of another quack, Avho, being called to a case of simple fever, pre- scribed something so unusual, that an observer inquired Avhat he Avas going to do. He an- swered, that he considered himself " death on fits;" and if he could change the case into fits, he Avas sure to cure. Would to Heaven that those avIio have commenced on this principle would carry it out; — having succeeded in cre- ating a new morbid action with tobacco, that they would now set at work, and prove them- selves, like the fits doctor, death on tobacco ! When prescribed in justifiable cases, tobacco needs to be used with great caution, knowledge, and skill, or it becomes a very unsafe, and even fatal medicine. Its use by the mouth is, in about all cases, uncalled for, inexpedient, and even morally wrong. But it may be sometimes given by injection, in cases of se- vere spasmodic diseases, Avith great and bene- ficial effects. A wet leaf may be introduced into the extremity of the boAvel, in case of 32 TOBACCO-USING. obstinate colic. It is fit for such purposes, but not for the mouth. Men apply the pipe, the cigar, the plug, not as a medicine, but as a luxury. The mouth is no place for such a poison, even as a medicine. But, when used as an injection, great caution is essential to the safety of the patient. Some- times death has been occasioned by this kind of use by unskilful hands. Cases of lockjaw, hysteric spasms, and kindred ailments, have been speedily overcome by its judicious ad- ministration. It Avill relax the severest spas- modic contractions, and speedily present the patient in the aspect of dissolution. Every muscle Avill become as flaccid and pliable as cotton cloth dipped in water, and the whole body covered with a cold, clammy sweat. A single leaf, dipped in hot Avater and laid upon the pit of the stomach, will produce a poAverful effect, by mere absorption from the surface. By being injudiciously applied to a spot where the scarf-skin is destroyed, fearful results have followed. Professor Mussey. in his excellent " Essay on Tobacco," gives a case. Dr. Long, of New Hampshire, Avas consulted by a mother, to know whether she might apply tobacco to a ringAvorm, scarcely three-fourths of an inch in diameter, on the nDse of her daughter, then about five years AS A MEDICINE. 33 old. He objected to it, as an exceedingly hazardous measure; and confirmed his judg- ment, by relating a case which he had seen recorded, in Avhich a father destroyed the life of his son by putting tobacco-spittle upon an eruption on the head. Immediately after the doctor left, the mother, thinking she knew more than her medical adviser, proceeded to moisten the ringworm from the essence of the grandmother's pipe, remarking that, "if it should strike to the stomach, it must go through the nose."" The instant the mother's finger touched the part, the eyes of the patient rolled up in their sock- ets, she sallied back, and, falling, Avas caught in the arms of the alarmed mother. The part was immediately washed, but to no pur- pose: the jaws were locked, the patient Avas senseless, and apparently in a dying state. The doctor was called immediately back, Avho found the following symptoms: "Coldness of extremities, no pulsation at the Avrist, jaws set, deep insensibility, countenance death-like." He succeeded in opening the jaAvs so as to ad- mit spirits of lavender and ammonia ; applied friction and other means to resuscitate the apparently dying child. These efforts were continued about an hour and a half, before the patient became able to speak. 34 TOBACCO-USING. Until this time, the child had been robust and healthy ; but since the tobacco experi- ment, she has been continually sickly and feeble. For the first four or five years after this, she Avas subject to fainting-fits every three or four weeks; sometimes lasting from twelve to twenty-four hours. Many times, in those attacks, her life appeared to be in immi- nent danger. Within the last three or four years, those turns had become less severe. A medical writer has recently undertaken to show that the use of tobacco is a preventive of bronchitis. He alleges that no tobacco-user has ever been knoAvn to have that disease. It is to be feared his observations have been limited. Cases of that kind have come under my eye, even Avithin the last feAV months. Indeed, a gentleman Avho is an intimate acquaintance of mine, in this city, once suf- fered severely from this disease, Avho Avas at that time a chewer and smoker. During my tours South and West, where this article is used to a far greater extent than in New Eng- land, more cases than one of this kind have presented themselves. But suppose his state- ment Avas correct, what Avould be the rationale of the matter? Suppose that it Avas Avell es- tablished that men who kept themselves liter- ally soaked in alcohol never had been known AS A MEDICINE. 35 to have dyspepsia; Avould it prove that this course of living Avas judicious? , How could it prevent the difficulty? by preserving such a uniform healthy action that dyspepsia could not occur? Certainly not; but by creating a so much more powerful morbid condition, that no other disease could Avell establish itself. There is no medical man that will deny that tobacco must, in all cases, Avhether used as a luxury, or preventive, or cure, create, of itself, a morbid action of the system. And it would be strange policy for the world to adopt, that, for fear of some disease Avhich might come, Ave must create a disease to fore- stall it. Following this reasoning, men have used tobacco and alcohol for the professed purpose of warding off contagions and epidem- ics. But such a course is an outrage on na- ture, reason and science. If Ave AVant Nature to stand her ground through thick and thin, let her have her own Avay, unmolested. Do not abuse her in any way. Do not disturb her healthy functions. Create no morbid ac- tion In any of her departments. She is bound to make the best efforts to ward off disease. and maintain her healthy condition. Let her do it in her own way. If she falters or is overcome, then, and not till then, give her help. While she can stand on her own feet 36 TOBACCO-USING. all help is hindrance. If Ave are afraid of dis- ease, eat right, drink right, sleep right, have the skin right, —obey all the laws of Nature, — and Ave are in the best possible condition to remain right. If ministers Avould cease their unapostolic Avay of preaching, — cease doubling over their vocal organs to keep their eyes fixed on their prosy, dull reading of sermons, and stand with heads erect, and preach as though they meant something — honestly desired to impress truth in its most clear and pungent force, — they Avould save themselves, not only a solemn account, but many a lame throat. Bronchitis may possibly be one form of penalty divinely affixed to this dull, unphilosophical, unprimi- tive way of preaching. At any rate, it is one of Nature's penalties for violated laAV of the vocal organs. The bundling-up of the face Avith extra cravats and shawls, is another pretty sure forerunner of trouble in the throat. Methodist ministers, though they sometimes have no mercy on the ears of their hear/ers, seldom have the throat-ail; they preach erect and off-hand to the people, and rarely'-ftiuftle their mouths as they go abroad. ON HEALTH. 37 TOBACCO ON HEALTH. In the course of twenty-five years, since en- tering on the practice of the medical profession, innumerable applications have been made to me for relief in cases of impaired health and broken constitutions, where the habitual use of tobacco evidently laid at the foundation of the whole difficulty. Some possessed discernment enough to see, and honesty enough to confess, the fact. Others had a vague idea that it might be tobacco, yet Avere unwilling to per- ceive the truth, or admit it, because of their devotion to this appetite. Others still Avere entirely blind to its deadly agency. In all such cases, medicines, Avithout reform, are worse than useless. Nothing short of an aban- donment of the unrighteous habit which pro- duced the disease can effect a cure. The great sovereign remedy in such cases is, CEASING TO CREATE THE DISEASE. Tobacco destroys health in several ways. One way is, by its immediate attack, as already shown, on the nervous system. It gives an unnatural impetus to its circulation. It ex- cites unwonted speed of action, which it has no power to sustain. In this respect it acts like any other stimulant. Stimulants of any 4 38 TOBACCO-USING. kind are unnatural agents. They push on, but cannot support, the electric forces of the animal economy. They excite temporarily, but exhaust ultimately. They push nature beyond her wonted speed, and then leave her to react and fall back into ultimate exhaustion and debility. Suppose a gentleman Avished to travel a thousand miles by the aid of his horse. The natural gait of the animal is five miles the hour. With this gait he can travel forty miles per day, Avith proper care, without fatigue, and continue the whole journey. But suppose the rider, extremely zealous of rapid progress, plies Avhip and spur, and pushes on at the rate of seven or eight miles the hour. In Avhat con- dition will the poor animal be before the jour- ney is ended ? By this kind of speed men are pushing themselves through life. Not con- tent Avith letting nature take her own speed of five miles per hour, they goad her on at the rate of seven or eight, and force themselves into an early graA^e. They ply whip and spur, under the popular names of mustard and pepper, tea and coffee, alcohol and tobacco. till nature sinks exhausted on her Avay, before her journey is fully ended. Besides its stimulating properties, tobacco possesses a powerful narcotic agency. Like ON HEALTH. 39 opium, after its exciting properties art exhib- ited, thero follows a stupefying quality. This preys powerfully, yet often for a long time imperceptibly, on the brain and nerves. It is often very difficult to get men to perceive this effect. While they keep themselves excited by its stimulus, they cannot easily recognize its stupefying, paralyzing poAver. But let them cease for a little space to use it, as before stated, and its paralyzing influence will man- ifest itself Tobacco also enters into the circulation, and destroys, as before shown, the healthful prop- erties of the blood. It enters into the secre- tions of all the glands. Hence are often found, in tobacco-cheAvers and smokers, diseases of the liver, kidneys, and other glandular organs. The secretions of the mucous membrane Avhich lines the mouth, stomach and boAvels, are often severely affected by it. So that, in this Avay, together Avith its prostrating influence on the nervous and muscular coats of the stomach, and its agency in producing torpidity of the liver, the very Avorst forms of dyspepsia have been created. Many a case of chronic indi- gestion has occurred, even in persons of active habits, Avhere nothing could have produced it but a wicked deArotion to this deadly appetite. A case which came under mv care on the 40 TOBACCO-USING. steamboat passing up the Ohio river, illus- trates this truth. A man Avas taken in the night with diarrhoea and slight vomiting; and his loAver limbs were affected Avith spasms. Under moderate treatment, his immediate symptoms of disease gave Avay; he became Avarm, a gentle moisture ensued, and seemed perfectly easy during the forenoon of the next day. But in the afternoon he began to sink, Avithout any return of original symptoms, and died early in the evening. It Avas obvious he did not die of the severity of his immediate disease; that, by some previ- ous influence, the tone of his vitality had been destroyed, so that under the slightest pressure he sank into the hands of death. On inquiry of his Avife, it Avas found he had been an in- veterate chewer of tobacco from very early 'joyhood. He would chew day and night; Dften getting up in dead of night to take a quid. He had been in miserable health for the last four years; was only twenty-nine years old, and looked as though he Avas fifty; had se- vere complaints of liver, kidneys, and bowels, during that period, and often seA'ere cramping of the limbs. Here the tobacco had not only destroyed the functions of the glands and mucous surfaces, but had so undermined his ON HEALTH. 41 electric forces, as to produce severe spasmodic action of the muscles, and leave all his vital functions in such utter prostration, as to yield their hold by the slightest causes. Not only is dyspepsia, Avith its train of thou- sand ailments, produced by its effects on this continuous mucous membrane which lines the mouth, stomach and bowels, but piles of the severest character are often suffered from this cause. Such is the sympathy of this mem- brane, one portion Avith another, that the paralyzing influence due from tobacco on the membrane of the mouth, is transmitted to its opposite extremity, and develops itself in the form of piles. Cases have not unfrequently come under my observation, Avhere men have seemed as yet to enjoy health in all respects, except that of extreme suffering of this kind; and this from no other apparent cause than the use of tobacco. In such cases, all attempts at cure without removing the cause, would be like trying to prevent a man's hand from blistering while he Avas holding it in a flame of fire. A case came under observation while in St Louis, Mo. A young man had, from very early life, been addicted to chewing and smok- ing. At best, he had only a slender body. He had, for a long time, been utterly unable 4* 42 TOBACCO-USING. to attend to business, and Avas now confined to the house from the prostrating influence of chronic and severe diarrhoea. He had been under care of a physician for a great length of time, Avith very faint signs of recovering. His physician had sanctioned the continuance of his tobacco, notwithstanding the patient's suspicions and inquiries as to its unfavorable influences. After listening a Avhile to common-sense argument on the deadly properties of his idol, and appeals as to the comparative value of life and the gratification of this fatal habit, he finally determined to quit this self-destruction, and throw himself upon Nature's resources for recovery. The mucous coat of the whole length of the digestive organs had lost its tone by the use of this narcotic drug. Nature had resisted this, till her power to resist Avas gone. The last account of him gave encouragement of rapid recovery. Another case, strongly marked, came under observation while in Kentucky. A gentleman, by occupation a planter, had been to Louis- ville for medical advice, and was returning. He had spent several hundreds of dollars in trying to obtain relief from a broken constitu- tion and much suffering. He labored under diseased liver and kidneys, under a dyspeptic ON HEALTH. 43 stomach and constipated bowels, and his Avhole aspect denoted a prostrated nervous, and torpid glandular system. His physician at Louisville, when asked by the patient about the influence of tobacco, told him merely that he thought well of his using less of it, or leaving it altogether, if he chose. He would not advise him to quit it suddenly, but by degrees. Such is the obtuseness of many of the faculty on this matter. Alter listening to my advice, he finally came to the conclusion to cease marring the vitality of his constitution, and give Nature the best chance possible to recover herself. Almost every day new cases appear of similar character, produced by the same general cause. This poison disturbs the natural tone of all the solid parts of the body. Its essence is diffused throughout all the matter composing the system. It so disturbs the natural secre- tion and deposit of healthy matter, that Avhere the flesh sustains an injury bycuts^r bruises, it cannot as readily heal as in cases of healthy flesh. The more perfectly healthy the habits of the person Avho has sustained the injury of Avounds, the more easily and rapidly will they heal. But Avhere a morbid state of the fluids, and consequently of the flesh, by such a power- 44 TOBACCO-USING. ful agent exists, the healing of wounds is liable to be greatly retarded. The same rule obtains also in the healing of bones. Bony matter is supplied from the blood; and if that blood is carrying a foreign substance, and one adapted to produce in every case a morbid state of that fluid, the secretion cf bony matter necessary to the heal- ing of fractured bones is retarded, and rendered unhealthy. Those who have accustomed them- selves to being saturated with alcohol, have found sometimes great difficulty in obtaining a sound healing from a broken bone, for the reason that the alcohol, by diffusing itself through the circulation, has disturbed the health of the fluids, and consequently the healthy formation of solids. Being saturated with tobacco essence, is certainly no less destructive. In addition to its deadly work on internal organs", arfd the general circulation of the fluids of the body, its effects are found on its surface. The skin is constantly impregnated Avith it, and is giving off its essences through the exhalent vessels. The perspiration, wheth- er sensible or insensible, is tinctured with it. It prepares the skin to imbibe other hurt- ful agencies from the atmosphere. And not ON HEALTH. 45 only this, but the skin of the tobacco-user is constantly giving off influences detrimental to those Avho are in close contact with him. Many a tobacco-user's wife, by constant sleep- ing with him, has suffered ill-health. It is very easy to see the philosophy of this. The Avhole circulating fluids of her husband's body are impregnated with the poisonous stuff; his skin is consequently giving off a measure of those influences. The tobacco, affecting also his nervous system, affects his Avhole electrical circulation. The electricity of his body is impaired and poisoned by it; and his skin is constantly giving off those electrical influ- ences. Why is it bad for young persons to sleep Avith aged people? Because of the tdectrical influences groAving out of immedi- ate personal contiguity. So the Avife, by immediate contiguity Avith her husband, re- ceives hurtful agencies from his body, satu- rated Avith tobacco. No tobacco-user, therefore, is fit for a bed companion. He is giving forth pestilential vapors from all the pores of his skin. He is an embodiment of perpetual miasm. The immediate atmosphere surrounding him is inevitably impregnated and polluted with the constant effluvia Avhich emanates from his Avhole surface. He becomes a perfect Avalking 46 TOBACCO-USING. distillery of the deadly essence, sending forth its fumes and vapors into the surrounding at- mosphere. His mouth is the mill Avhich grinds out the Aveed, and his Avhole body the distillery for its essence. Put a cheAver or smoker into a vapor bath, with no tobacco in the room, and in a short time the Avhole room will be strongly scented with tobacco sffluvia that has emanated from his body. Put him into a warm bath, and get up per- spiration; then put that Avater upon flies, or the vermin of plants, and it' will instantly destroy them. As just remarked, the influence of this arti- cle on the skin prepares it to imbibe hurtful agencies from the atmosphere. The man avIio uses it — other things being equal — is more liable to be affected by any atmospheric dis- ease. The morbid condition of the skin, as well as internal surfaces, exposes the system to miasmatic and epidemic influences, which, otherwise, Nature could wholly, or compara- tively, Avard oft'. That fearful disease, the cholera, is vastly aided in its dreadful ravages by this means. According to some statistics by Dr. Mussey, it appears that in 1833 Havana, Avith a popu- vatio'i of 120,000, lost in a feAv Aveeks 16,000 ON HEALTH. 47 people by the cholera. In Havana it is esti- mated that SI0,000 worth of cigars are used daily. In Matanzas, Avith a population of 12,000, the cholera swept away 1500. Here is an eighth of the Avhole population in both places destroyed. It is stated that in Campeachy, Mexico, about one quarter of the population died of cholera. Mere, it is said, "everybody smokes cigars;" even children of two years old. It can be plainly seen that, in the Western and Southern States, Avhere tobacco is more exten- sively used than in the Eastern States, cholera was more fatal than iti the latter section. Tobacco injures the constitution materially, also, by perverting the'healthful agency on the glands of the mouth. The Creator, for Avise purposes, put three pairs of glands in the mouth, called salivary glands. They are made for a specific purpose; to supply a fluid, called saliva, to be mixed Avith the food intended for nourishment, and prepare it for the stomach; Avithout Avhich the food is unfitted for the process of digestion, and for the nourishment of the body. While the food is being finely masticated by the teeth, these glands throw out their fluid, and it becomes intimately mixed Avith the fine particles of the 48 TOBACCO-USING. morsel, which prepares it for the labor of the stomach. Without the intimate mixture of this fluid with the finely broken particles of the food, it is impossible that Avhat we eat shall fully ansAver the purpose for Avhich it should be taken. The organs intended for its digestion cannot faithfully perform their several offices upon it. They cannot extract the proper amount of nourishment from it. The food consequently passes through the system Avith- out imparting that amount of nutrition for which Nature has designed it. Tobacco usurps the Avhole service of these. glands, and stealthily carries off their secretions from their appropriate purpose. It causes the cheAver to throAV away this health-sustain- ing, life-preserving fluid. He is spitting aAvay an essential element of his vitality. This is the great cause why tobacco-users are a much leaner set of men, as a general rule, than others. This shoAvs hoAV it is, also, that some who have ceased their spitting, and have SAvallowed their tobacco-juice, have increased in flesh. SAvalloAving the juice would be far more fatal, so far as simply the tobacco is concerned, because by so doing they get more of its poison. But saving the saliva — a fluid so essential to life — more than com- ON HEALTH. 49 pensates for the increased damages of swal- lowing the syrup. This shows the great value of saliva for the purposes of life and health; its great service in the digestive process, and the extraction of nutrition from food for the support of the body; and its im- portance in preserving the tone and vigor of 4he digestive functions. Tobacco perverts this Divine arrangement in another Avay. It brings these glands into un- natural exertion. It not only stimulates them by acting on their nervous susceptibilities, but acts on them by mechanical pressure. The act of chewing, Avbatever may be the sub- stance, calls these glands into action by the motion of the jaws, and the muscles Avhich sustain them. While the muscles of the mouth are at Avork, these glands are con- stantly secreting their fluid. The cheAver of tobacco keeps his masticating apparatus con- stantly at work: while he is aAvake there is no cessation. So these glands are kept ever- more at labor. They never find time to rest, and their fluid is constantly floAving. This makes a very great draft upon the system. This secretion, of course, is formed from the blood, and costs the system an amount of this vital fluid which it cannot 5 50 TOBACCO-USING. afford to spare. It is like a largely running issue or ulcer; it is draining the body of its vitality. It is like any other morbid or ex- cessive secretion. Hoav soon will Diabetes drain the system of its healthy blood ! This extra secretion and exit of fluid in this Avay Aveaken the whole system. Almost a con- tinued stream of this saliva is running from the mouth; so much so, that, especially con- sidering its polluted state, a Avish has often been in my heart, that a long tube could be fastened steadfast to every mouth containing tobacco, that would reach into some deep sew- er, or some far-off quagmire, where the un- Avholesome, filthy, sickening stream could dis- charge itself, for the safety of " all the Avorld," and the peace of "the rest of mankind." Not only is tobacco-chewing doing this in- jurious Avork, but smoking also. The glands are in this case operated on, not only by its stimulus, but by the effort of the mouth in making its draft upon the pipe or cigar. Smoking, probably, does not make so great a draft upon these glands, as cheAving; yet it keeps up a great taxation on them. Smoking may not do as great damage to health in this Avay, as cheAving; but it probably makes as great, if not greater, inroad upon the natural arrangement of the nervous system, and the ON HEALTH. 51 good quality of the blood. Tl e essence of tobacco, in chewing or smoking, mixes with that portion of the saliva Avhich is not spit off, but passes through the digestive organs into the circulation; so that it not only impairs the saliva for subserving the purposes of healthy digestion, but enters, with all its vile properties, into the rivers and streams of life. Persons leaving off tobacco invariably find, after giving Nature a chance to recover her- self from the effects of the abuses she has re- ceived, that they improve in health and flesh. This invariable, uniform testimony — Avhere everything else is right — gives positive proof of its destroying agency. Some have excused themselves for using it, on the ground of being too corpulent; for the purpose of keeping down their flesh. This plea might have some little plausibility in it, provided the Creator of his body had perpetrated a blunder in his physi- cal arrangement, and made him fatter than he intended. But this plea Avillnotdo; no blunder has been made in the original econo- my of his being. His system is made right, and will Avork right, if no violation of organic law shall derange it; and if any hereditary influence from violated law in his progenitors is bcarii g on him, his better Avay is, so to dis- cipline himself into the path of Nature's law, 52 TOBACCO-USING. that Nature herself can overcome, as far as possible, any such embarrassments; and then let him be content with being as fat as Nature originally intended him. The great trouble is, as a general rule, that these fleshy, squabby men are too fond of pork and beef; of rich greasy gravies and, fixings ; and of other so-called good things of life. If they Avould curtail their rule of life to the principle of eating to live, rather than liv- ing to eat, they might be relieved from the burden of corpulency. When a man con- fesses himself so illy made that he is obliged to resort to such an unnatural, uncomely habit to bring him right, he makes an admission that is not only degrading human nature, but which cannot be true. In too many of these cases, there is another, and far more dif ficult-argument to counteract, hid behind tl 3 curtain—the hardest argument in all the world to meet; it is embraced in three small Avords, which, if uttered by them, would stand thus: "I LOVE IT." But the great and momentous question for every lover of tobacco to settle is, Avhich will he value most — which love the strong- est — health or tobacco: Avhich prize the highest, health and soundness, or the deadly weed Avith its filthy gratifications ? For he ON HEALTH. 53 cannot always have both. If he Avill choose the latter, he must sooner or later part Avith the former. The medical faculty have been greatly in fault on this subject. They have not brought their knowledge of the laws of life, and of the real properties of tobacco, to a bearing. They have recommended this dreadful poison as a medicine, Avithout counting the cost; and they have not cried aloud against the extensive and destructive habit of tobacco- using as a luxury. They have not been ready to perceive and declare the deadly do- ings of this article in their patients, Avhere this has been an important, if not the only cause of complaint. While passing on the Gulf of Mexico, a man on board the steamer fell in conver- sation Avith me on the subject of his health. His case was complicated. He had dy^nep- sia, torpid liver, palpitating heart, Aveakness of spine — in short, almost everything that could grow out of a ruined nervous system. He Avas a man of apparently temperate hab- its, in the common use of the phrase, but had been, from very early life—now about thirty- five — an inveterate tobacco cheAver and smok- er. No other great cause seemed to account for his complaint. He Avas hoav returning 54 TOBACCO-USING. from a visit to tAvo different cities for medical advice; but finding himself no better, was re- turning without hope of recovery. What pained me more than all in this case Avas, to find not one of his medical advisers had even hinted to him that tobacco was do- ing him harm. Not one had discovered that this, Avhich most obviously had done the whole mischief, was the cause of his com- plaints. After listening to me a Avhile on this matter, he ejected his huge cud into the sea, threw away his tobacco, and solemnly de- clared it should never more have a chance to destroy him. He kept his pledge Avhile Ave remained together on the boat, and if he has continued to subdue this created fleshly lust, he probably finds himself recovered or recov- ering from his complaints. Or j man, Avho called himself a doctor, un- dertook even to argue, that tobacco sustained life, instead of destroying it; and in proof re- ferred to the fact, that sometimes the Indians, in their lengthy hunting excursions, get out of food, and absolutely save themselves from starvation by the use of this article! But how is this to be accounted for? It was not because the tobacco possesses any prop- erty adapted directly to sustain life, but ON HEALTH. 55 simply because its poison so paralyzes the stomach, that it allayed the gnaAvings of hunger, Avhich of themselves were wearing out life. By killing the life of the empty stomach, hunger was not as readily felt, and therefore life Avas prolonged a little space. Many instances have come before my ob- servation, where medical men have been con- sulted in cases of disease from such an origin, Avho, instead of searching out the primary cause, and decidedly proscribing the tobacco, have permitted the article to remain in the mouth uncondemned, and have recommended various drugs to restore health. This, by Avhomsoever practised, is the most consummate quackery; and should be sternly condemned by every man of common sense, Avhether in the profession or out of it; as a gross violation of principles of philosophy and humanity. One trouble, probably, in the Avay of too many in the medical practice, is, they cannot see clearly through the dingy flood, and the dense clouds of smoke, Avhich proceed from their own mouths. Shame, shame on the medical profession for this ! They ought everyAvhere and always, to be examples to the people in all righteous physical habits. They ought to be patterns of obedience to physiological laws to all beholders. 56 tobacco-using. Because tobacco does not kill outright and im- mediately, many young men, and many in the meridian of life, suppose they have no occasion for alarm. But could they see the numberless instances of Avreck in after life, Avhich have come within the reach of my observation, and of every tobacco-discerning practitioner, they Avould be filled Avith trembling for the calami- ties that cluster in the path before them. Many, possessed naturally of the most solid constitutions, have, in the decline of life, under the long-continued habits of tobacco-cheAving, or smoking, or snuffing, brought on themselves varied and accumulated infirmities, premature age, and a suicidal dissolution. A gentleman, Avho had been my acquaint- ance for many years, possessing one of the most thorough, athletic bodies found among men, Avas from early life a tobacco-cheAver. Until he became forty-five or fifty years of age, he seemed not to notice the ill effects of this habit. Then his nervous system be- gan to give Avay. Dyspepsia came on; he had severe and alarming turns of nightmare; symptoms of approaching palsy often ap- peared; he was unable to get through Avith daily business without an ill turn; and was finally obliged wholly to suspend his avoca- tions. All this Avas evidently the fruit if ON Hf.ALTH. 57 tobacco. All his other habits were simple and inoffensive to health. This is only one case out of millions of like results from like habits. In all such cases, and those approach- ing such a destiny, the great question lies be- lAveen health—even life—and the filthy, poisonous tobacco. Tobacco is a poAverful agent in the removal of vermin from cattle. Farmers have applied it in decoction to calves; and not unfrequently it has occasioned death. It might be lawful to eheAV it when a man should find himself internally infested with vermin, until he shall have purged himself from such an engorge- ment. And it ought everywhere to be restrict- ed to such a use: so that it should always be understood, Avhen Ave see a man with a cud, or pipe, or cigar, defiling the inner surface of his lace, that it is because he has become in- ternally so verminized that he finds himself obliged to resort to this desperate measure, as his last effort to remove the aAvful calamity. The ordinary and general effects of tobacco are — Avhcther by chewing, smoking, or snuff- ing— weakness, pain, and sinking at the stomach; dimness of sight; dizziness and pain in the head; paleness and sallowness of countenance; feebleness of the voluntary mus- 58 TOBACCO-USING. cles; tremulousness in the hands; weakness or hoarseness of voice; disturbed sleep, by startings and a sense of suffocation ; night- mare ; epi eptic or convulsion fits ; confusion of mind; peevish and irritable temper; insta- bility and laxness of purpose ; depression of spirits; melancholy and despondency; partial, and sometimes entire and permanent insanity. Insane hospitals have generally more or less inmates who are reported as insane from excessive use of tobacco. And doubtless a much larger proportion of them would be en- rolled on the same list, if the deadly Avorkings of this article on the brain and nerves Avere better understood. An agent of such potency in destroying the healthy condition, of the nerves is likely to find vent for its deadly poison someAvhere, in some portion of the body. If there is any one organ of the body Aveak- er than the rest, it will be likely to manifest its disturbing qualities there. It may be upon some gland; or upon some vital function ; or upon some important nerve, as the nerve of sight or hearing. It will be found that the eyesight of tobacco-eaters begins to fail earlier than that of other men. They are obliged'to resort to Avearing glasses at a much earlier period than would be required, if they had not in this way abused their nervous system. ON HEALTH. 59 Many have seriously, by the same means, impaired their hearing. While travelling on the upper Mississippi, tAvo cases of this kind came under observation. They were both young men, betAveen, probably, the ages of thirty and thirty-five. They had been hard smokers from early life. One Avas on his way for medical advice. On riding Avith him, and investigating the history and nature of his case, it became my conviction that the seat of the trouble was in the auditory nerve, Avhich had lost its electric energy; and that it was the tobacco that had paralyzed its tone. It was here that its destructive agency had chiefly located itself. In the other, its direct attack.on the nerves of hearing, had demonstrated itself. The man stated that a few months since, he sus- pended the use of tobacco for only a single month, and found his hearing essentially im- proved. But such Avas the strength of ap- petite, and his unwillingness to attribute the difficulty to the idol of his mouth, he entered upon its use again, and his hearing became as bad as before. Here the deadly Avork of this narcotic on the hearing department, had dis- tinctly and unequivocally demonstrated itself Hosts of cases might be furnished of a sim- ilar character, where the agency of tobacco it 60 TOBACCO-USING. paralyzing the nerves and their electric forces, has been manifested; producing dimness of sight and hearing; and many other complaints produced directly or indirectly through a mor- bid state of the nerves. Some of the severest cases of palpitation of the heart, have been created by the agency of deranged nerves by tobacco. Diseased liver and lungs have had the same origin: but the limits of the work will not allow their statement in detail. As before remarked, men take advantage of a good original constitution, and go on doing violence to the laAvs of life, till by and by that constitution gives Avay, like the granite edifice when its underpinning is gone. Nature will sometimes have long patience Avith the offend- er; but Ave may rely upon her making signs of suffering sooner or later. She is jealous of her rights. Every infringement of her laAvs she will be sure to avenge. She will some- times bear a long-continued accumulation of wrongs, but the day of retribution is sure to come. Though her fires may be long in kin- dling— long remain smothered and unseen — they will break forth in devouring flames, from Avhich there is no escape. Men may possibly escape the grasp of human laws and penalties. The thief, the robber, even the murderer, may ON HEALTH. 61 possibly outrun his pursuer; but the offender against Nature's laAV can never outrun, can never hide aAvay from her civil officers. They must and will be overtaken, and when arrest- ed they are sure of punishment. There is no reprieve and no redemption from the punish- ments made due in Nature's code of laws. The tobacco-eater must sooner or later pay the debts accrued and accumulated from this unlawful, unnatural animal indulgence. Besides various ills and infirmities, while liv- ing, directly or indirectly incident to this habit, he will be obliged to die the sooner. ('hewers, and smokers, and snuffers—foi these habits are all about equally destructive — as a general rule, are probably cutting off about twenty-five per cent, of their natural period of life. They are not content Avith burning the pure oil of life till all is consumed, but wickedly adulterate it Avith the essence of tobacco; and the lamp goes out before its time, from the inignitibility of the incongruous mixture. One seeming misfortune about this per- nicious habit — to Avhich allusion has already been made—is, it remains so long doing its fatal Avork without being perceived. If its doings could speak out as readily and as loudly 6 62 TOBACCO-USING. as those of alcohol at this day, many a life might be saved that is noAV being sacrificed upon its cruel altar. The time has been Avhen alcohol did its Avork unperceived. It Avalked boldly among men of the first respectability with its arroAvs of death, Avithout being con- sidered a destroying angel, but rather an angel of mercy, exercising good-Avill to man. Now its cloven foot is seen, and the demon tries to hide himself. He is still doing a fearful Avork, but not Avith so bold a face, nor in so reputable a circle. It is somewhat amusing, as Avell as pain- ful, to see the monster now retire behind a large screen, or in a back apartment of the dram-shops; or doAvn, out of sight, in the basement of respectable hotels; in order that he may carry on his work unblushingly, and that his friends, who would be glad to pre- serve their respectability and their drams, may associate with him with much less em- barrassment. But as yet the devil's great agent, tobacco, goes shamelessly forth, without the external signs of blood upon his skirts. Not because no blood is there; nay, his garments are full of the blood of his victims; but the world has thrown over him the long red veil of fashion, which shields his real character and the marks ON HEALTH. 63 of his doings. But my prayer before Heaven is, that the veil that covers the sins of this incorrigible monster may soon be torn asun- der. It seems to me, that time is not far ahead; that a revolution will soon take place; that men of common sense, of thought and reflection, Avill Avake up and concentrate the forces of public opinion, to dispel the darkness that hovers over this enormous evil, and Avipe its foul stain from the face of human society. A few men are disseminating light upon the subject. It is to be hoped others will enlist their powers in this Avarfare. Every medical man is called upon, for the highest good of humanity, to Avhich the profession dedicates itself, to carry a lamp in his hand that will shed light upon the subject. Every minister of the Gospel ought to "cry aloud and spare not," against an evil habit that not only de- stroys the bodies of those Avho are required to present themselves living sacrifices upon the altar of Christ, but is benumbing the highest susceptibilities of their souls; an evil habit Avhich, like alcohol, stands in the Avay of those Avhom they Avould persuade to become reconciled to God; an evil habit that is cost- ing the members of the church not only a large amount of their physical and moral en- ergies, but an enormous amount of money, 64 TOBACCO-USING. Avhich, in the Christian treasury, Avould do immense good to a benighted world. There never has been a time since tobacco came into popular use, Avhen men, possessed of a spirit of humanity or of Christian zeal, were so loudly called upon to come to the help of God and the rescue of the race in this mat- ter, as at the present time. Americans are using it more extensively than any other peo- ple. It is estimated that the consumption of tobacco in this country is eight times as great as in France, and three times as great as in England, in proportion to the population. The habit is increasing. There is a larger number, in proportion to the population, Avho are using it now, than at any former period. It is being used earlier in life than formerly. Our fathers began to use it later in life than the present generation of men. Now it is used very early. Young boys are cheAving and smoking. It often seems to me that if laying my own life on the altar of humanity could save this rising generation, and those that may folioav them, from this dreadful de- stroyer, the offering should freely be made. To see the boys in our streets crippling their vital energies in the very buddings of life, Avith this Bohun Upas, is truly appalling. This is the time, if ever, to lay in a good ON POSTERITY. 65 stock of health and soundness. If the vital forces are crippled noAV, they are probably crippled for life. Its Avithering influence at this period, on the brain and nerves, and the electrical currents that flow constantly through them, and on the serous and mucous mem- branes Avhich gather this electrical fluid, is far greater than at any other age. At this period especially, are needed all the avails of the nervous energies, for accomplishing the full and perfect developments of the different organs of the body; and for ushering in the completions of manhood. But perhaps a more fearful view of the matter still, is its destruct- ive power transmitted from parent to child. TOBACCO ON POSTERITY. In that part of my Avork entitled " Philoso- phy of Health," found on the 147th page, Avhich treats of the " Healthy Reproduction" of the species, this subject is treated some- what more explicitly than can be done here. In this matter there are more fearful respons- ibilities involved than can be easily measured. There is a general idea prevailing in com- munity, that unhealthy and debilitating in- fluences are inherited by children from their parents; yet that idea is so exceedingly vague and indefinite, that no one seems to be im- 6* 66 TOBACCOr-USING. pressed Avith any proper sense of responsibility in the matter, or Avith any personal liabilities to transmit such influences upon his OAvn progeny. This matter ought to be better understood ; and each one should intelligently scrutinize the bearings of his habits, not only upon his OAvn health and life, but upon those Avho may become his own immediate posterity. If Ave could possibly have a right to treat our own bodies Avrong — infringe upon our natural measure of health and longevity — no one, hoAvever much blinded by the grossest animal- ities, would hesitate to confess his responsi- bilities, touching the health or the suffering which it Avas in his power to transmit to those who welfe to be " bone of his bone and fle.:ih of his flesh." Tobacco has already been charged Avith striking its first and heaviest deadly blow upon the brain and nerves; and it is from these directly that the germ of the future being pro- ceeds. Whatever, then, tends to enervate these and adulterate their vital fluid, sends pro- portionate debility and derangement into the foundations of vitality of the being that pro- ceeds from them. The user of alcohol, who is steeping himself in the accursed fluid, and the tobacco-user, who is keeping his brain and ON POSTERITY. 67 nerves constantly saturated with the essence of this diabolical narcotic, must inevitably transmit a measure of their deadly influences into the physical, and also indirectly, into the moral systems of those Avho are begotten by him. Tobacco-using tends to animalism, by ex- citing the various animal propensities beyond their proper balance ; and must transmit that influence also upon posterity. The creating and fostering of any unnatural appetite, the habitual use of any unnatural stimulant, tends to this result. The use of alcohol and of tobacco increases the activity and strength of the animal propensities. They excite them in undue proportion. They operate with peculiar force upon the base of the brain, to Avhich belongs the animality of our natures. Man is quite sufficiently animal in his charac- ter, Avithout any such artificial promptings. Undue excitement here tends to debase his character; because, Avhile this portion of his phrenological character is under excitement, the just balance betAveen the animal, intellect- ual and moral qualities, is destroyed. While the animal nature is under excitement, the sensibility and activity of the intellectual and moral faculties are diminished. Those ac- customed to animal excitements are the less 68 TOBACJO-USING. cultivated in intellect and morals; because, Avhile the electrical currents are called unduly in this direction, they are draAvn aAvay from other portions of the brain. The same philosophical principle is also developed in the opposite direction. Great intellectual and moral culture tends to lessen the growth and excitability of animal propen- sities. According to this principle, Avhile a man is keeping himself under the stimulating poAver of tobacco, he is constantly goading up the activity of his animality, and stinting the groAvth and developments of his higher powers. And while he is doing this for him- self, he is casting upon his posterity the same features of character. In confirmation of the exciting nature of this habit upon the animal portion of the brain, it is a fact well attested by observation, that inveterate consumers of the article, in the latter part of life, have often found the natural powers of the genital organs completely pros- trated ; so that the natural offices pertaining to them have been found to be impracticable. So long has the nervous system been excited, and especially that portion of it Avhich is con- nected Avith this faculty, that the nerves of this portion of the physical being haye be- come so paralyzed as no longer to be able to ON POSTERITY. 69 comply Avith me original dictates of nature. Long-continued morbid amativeness has ex- hausted its poAver of development. In view, then, of this well-attested truth, that tobacco exerts a powerful influence upon the general animal portion of the system, let every man Avho puts this infernal article to his lips, for cheAving or smoking, remember, while he degrades his nature by this unnatural in- dulgence, and puts the standard of his own habits below that of the brute creation, he is ilso degrading in the scale of animate beings his own offspring and his race. If only the physical character of our pos- terity were affected by the bad physical habits of their parents, much less damage Avould accrue than now appears. In another place will be shown the effect of tobacco on the in- tellectual and moral faculties; and whatever tends to such a degradation in them, will, through them, loAver the intellectual and moral tone of those Avho shall proceed from them. So that, Avhile the use of tobacco is de- grading the standard of his OAvn body, mind, and spirit, in the scale of health, activity, and purity, he is also preparing himself to degrade the physical, intellectual, and moral nature of his " children, and his children's children, to the third and fourth generation." 70 TOBACCO-USING. ITS MORAL DEFORMITIES. Under this general division it is purposed to show the moral bearings which are incident to the habit of using tobacco: that it is a violation of natural laAV, and therefore a sin: that it tends to degrade the standard of intel- lectual and moral attainments; and that it militates against the religious culture of the soul. TOBACCO AS A VICE. The natural laws Avhich belong to our animal life are Divine. The Creator has as truly revealed his character and his laAV in the works of his hands, as in the Book dic- tated by the inspiration of his Spirit. Every true science is of Divine origin, and contains a revelation of Divine laAV. The sciences of Astronomy and Geology reveal to us truths from Deity Avhich can be derived from no other source. The science of Anatomy and Physiology exhibits, not only the existence of a great and Avise Designer, but reveals to us hi* laws, Avritten in the fearful and Avonderfu1 mechanism and economy of our physica being. Whoever, then, studies the laAvs of his AS A VICE. 71 own organization, studies the laAvs of God. Whoever obeys the laws that govern health and life, not only reaps the reward due in his physical Avelfare, but is treating the arrange- ment of his Creator Avith that reverence and respect, Avhich will secure Divine approval. On the other hand, Avhoever violates-the laAvs which Deity has given to our animal life, violates moral obligation, and sins against («'od. It is as truly a sin to transgress physio- logical laws, as to violate one of the ten com- mandments. These are no more the laws of God than the laws of organic life. And knowingly to transgress them, is as truly a sin, as it Avould be to steal. It is not for me to measure the comparative magnitude of sins. This, Omniscience alone can do. It is only due from me to say, to transgress Divine physical laws, is as truly a sin as to steal. Should an objector say, to disregard the laAvs of our bodies is a small offence compared Avith theft — that the one was only an injury done to self, and the other an injury done to our neighbor — let me ask, on Avhat is the laAV which requires love to our neighbor based? Thou shalt love thy neighbor — how ? better than thyself ? nay; thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. The laAV of love to our fellow-beings is based upon the preexisting 72 tobacco-using. laAV of self-love and self-protection, implanted in our own nature; written without amanu- enses— by the legible hand-writing of Jeho- vah ; a law which Ave cannot disregard, Avith- out committing the crime of suicide on ourselves, and that of manslaughter on our posterity. But if Ave must attempt to compare crimes as to their real magnitude, let us see the result; let a comparison be draAvn between the criminality of habitual rum-soaking and that of robbery. The man Avho robs, takes from the pockets or coffers of his neighbor the sum of — it may be — five thousand dollars; he com- mits an injury to him of five thousand dollars' damage. He Avho steeps his body, mind and soul in alcohol, injures himself, his family, society, and his posterity, infinitely more than can possibly be computed Avithin this com- paratively paltry sum. Now take the tobacco- user : he is doing an injury to his OAvn body, Avhich, if it could be put down in dollars and cents, Avould amount to no small sum. Hoav many dollars are ten or twenty years of a man's life to be considered worth by himself? especially Avhen stretched upon his premature dying couch, which he has prepared for him- self, how much Avould he give to have life prolonged that much ? • AS A VICE. 73 Let the user of tobacco seriously ask him- self this question; then let him look further into this matter. He is, by this habit, dis- pensing suffering upon his posterity. He is lowering their standard of health and sound- ness for life. How much is this to be reck- oned? By his example, also, he is leading young men and boys in the same course of sin. If, too, his services are Avorth anything to the Avorld, Iioav much loss, in this respect, is sustained by the Aveakening of his powers, and the shortening of life. Put all this down, if computation be possible, in dollars and cents; and then tell me which is the greater sin, to rob a man of the five thousand dollars, or rob himself and his posterity, society and the rising generation, of that Avhich moun- tains of silver and gold caunot buy! Let him realize that in every champ he gives, or puff he makes, of this unnatural thing, he is committing a suicidal and a murderous act, which make a tAvofold sin against God, of fearful magnitude. A crime against Nature is a crime against God. A crime against Divine laAV, Avritten in Nature's book of revelation, or rather God's book of nature, in Avhich He reveals his will, may be as fearful in magnitude as a crime against Divine laAV written in the Bible. 7 ✓ 4 TOBACCO-USING. Because the Bible does not say, Thou shalt not feast thyself upon Opium, Henbane, or Tobacco, is it any less a sin to use these arti- cles for such purposes, when Ave learn from the revelations of nature their deadly quali- ties? The Bible is for a different purpose than to teach us facts in science; and yet all facts in science are as truly of Divine authen- ticity, and may discover to us Divine obliga- tions as truly, as the Bible itself. God's book of nature teaches- him Avho reads it rightly, that tobacco possesses properties of a fearfully deadly character; that it Avas not intended as a luxury for man; that it is contrary to natural instinct; that it is destroying him and his posterity, and that consequently he ought not to use it. All this is taught as plainly to an intelligent, unbiased mind, as though it Avere spoken in the Holy Volume, Thou shalt NOT LUST AFTER TOBACCO. TOBACCO ON INTELLECT. Whatever excites unduly the nervous sys- tem, excites the mind. The electrical cur- rents of the nen^os are inseparably connected with the developments of the intellect. Men who become accustomed to the excitements of tobacco, find themselves comparatively in- ON INTELLECT. 75 adequate to any considerable mental effort without it. If tobacco is gone, all is gone; and they are perfectly unmanned till that stim- ulus can be procured. This habitual mental excitement produces many fearful conse- quences. One is the paralyzing of the native mental energies, so that they become less ac- tive and enduring. A mind which is de- pendent on this stimulus is more fluctuating in its emotions and decisions. It cannot duly act, unless duly excited; its natiA'e sprightli- ncss is diminished, and must noAV be prompted by artificial steam. When that steam is Ioav, the mental enginery cannot promptly Avork till the steam has been reneAved. The mind is also less enduring. If extra drafts are made, if uncommon mental toil is demanded, if perplexities arise, if afflictions supervene, an extra quantity of tobacco is taken. On the approach of unusual burdens of this kind, this article is devoured Avith extra zest, to give the mind power to bear them. If the poison happens not to be at hand — if the man's chief mental resources do not happen to be in his pocket—he is afloat,.Avithout sail or ballast, till a supply is furnished. Another consequence of habitual excite- ment of this kind is, depression of spirits. In spite of all the artificial promptings de- 76 TOBACCO-USING. rived from this habit, melancholy and gloom- iness Avill ensue. Dr. Mussey gives a case of a laAvyer, Avho, being accustomed from early life to this stimulus, complained that his "life Avas greatly embittered by excessive and inor- dinate fear of death." He says, "My spirits Avere much depressed. I became exceedingly irresolute, so that it required a great effort to accomplish Avhat I uoav do Avithout thinking of it. My sleep Avas disturbed, faintings and lassitude Avere my constant attendants." He gives another case, of a man fifty-five years of age, who lost his voice, so as to be unable to speak above a whisper for three years. It is said, " He Avas subject to fits of extreme melancholy; for whole days he Avould not speak to any one; Avas exceedingly dyspep- tic, and subject to nightmare." He aban- doned tobacco, recovered his voice, and his melancholy disappeared. A number of similar cases could be cited, several of Avhich came under my own obser- vation, Avhere deep melancholy was produced from this cause. Some, of long continuance, terminated in partial or entire insanity. And there is no doubt in my mind, that if the truth could be ascertained, many a case of suicide has been the result of this habit. One writer, of his oavii experience in this matter, says: ON INTELLECT. 77 "At times I had feelings Avhich seemed to border on mental derangement. I felt that everybody hated me, and I, in turn, hated everybody. I often laid awake nights under the most distressing forebodings. I have often arisen in fitful and half-delirious slumbers, and smoked my pipe to obtain temporary relief from these sufferings. I often thought of suicide, but was deterred by a dread of a hereafter." He continues, "In a few Aveeks after entirely relinquishing this habit, all these feelings Avere gone, and my health fully re- stored." A gentleman in Richmond, Va., Avho had himself and family read my Avork on Health, in Avhich tobacco is slightly noticed, informed me that his son, aged about tAventy, prior to this had been exceedingly dull and lifeless. He feared he had lost all his early sprightli- ness of character, and would never have energy enough for any efficient business. " But," said he, " since reading your work, and leaving off his tobacco, to which he has been accustomed from early boyhood, he has Avaked up, has excellent spirits, and seems like a totally new being." Many a case of irritable, peevish, fretful temper, has been cured in the same Avay, Avhich might be re- lated, if space Avould allow. 7# 78 TOBACCO-USING. Another injury Avhich the mind sustains from the use of this excitant is, a diminu- tion of moral courage, self-respect, and self- government. This habit is more completely enslaving to the mind than any other to Avhich human nature is addicted. When once completely formed, the man is chained, hand-cuffed, and incarcerated for life. His chance for escape is exceedingly small. Few comparatively ever scale their prison walls. Their chains are not easily sundered: they are destined to be slaves, and subject to the most menial service for life. And not only this, but that service so degrades their mental perceptions, that they soon lose all realizing sense of the low-life, unmanly nature of the labors they are called upon to perform. They go through with their daily and hourly performances Avithout seeming at all to realize hoAv they appear in the eyes of all decency and true civilization. Let these same men once come out of the theatre of their servi- tude, Avash themselves clean, and put on un- stained garments, and then let them look back upon men now serving under this foul, tyrannical monster—see the degrading, filthy, servile employments they -practise, and the power of those bars and gates that shut them in — and they Avould individually exclaim, ON INTELLECT. 79 Avith religious reverence, The Lord deliver me FROM SUCH ASSOCIATES AND SUCH BONDAGE ! W bile in this enslaved condition, they seem to have lost all self-control;--at least, they have lost their consciousness of such control. Thou- sands daily acknowledge the ugliness and det- riment of the habit, but declare their imagined inability to rid themselves of the practice. And doubtless it comes nearer a complete in- ability than in any other case. They see the fierceness of the enemy, and have not courage to attack it. Even the most intelligent Chris- tians and Christian ministers can meet and resist the devil and his legions on any other battle-ground; but Avhen they come to this, they shrink back, give him the Avhole advan- tage of the field, and surrender themselves unresistingly as prisoners of Avar. O, shame on such coAvardice! and shame on the men Avho tamely tolerate such a debasing, soul- destroying tyranny! When a man sells himself to this servitude, and continues in it, he not only parts Avith all his native moral courage and becomes a ser- vile coward, before this destroying angel, but gives himself up to the control of animal appe- tites. The reins of government have fallen from the hands of his higher nature, into those of the lower. He abandons the teachings of 80 TOBACCO-USING. common sense, intelligent judgment, and a sound mind, to humble himself at the feet of a licentious god. No code of morals, no rules of etiquette, no suasions of reason, now avail him anything; he knoAvs no laAV but tha* of ap- petite— no rule of life but the ruling poAver of self-created lust. And Avhile he abides under this form of government, he is exposed to the dominion of other tyrant appetites, Avhich as- sociate with this for purposes of mutual assas- sination and plunder. And when one of them has succeeded in dethroning and incarcerating Human Reason, another and another of the associated conspirators come in, to avail them- selves in turn of conquest and of spoils. When Reason boAvs her head to one licen-* tious plunderer, she gives fearful encourage- ment for others that follow in his train: and establishes a dreadful precedent for her oavh future abandonment of virtue. When she gives herself to vice in one form, she loAvers her general standard of virtue, and her poAver of appreciation of all other forms of chastity. When she allows appetite in one case to gain the ascendency, she finds it hard to gain, and harder still to hold, the reins of government in another case. Before the safety of her virtue and her government can be made secure, she ON INTELLECT. 81 must again be fully seated on her thione, and guard and defend herself on every side. To overcome this foe Avhen once he has set his foot upon the soil, requires a desperate gathering up of mental and moral forces; and a settled determination to die or conquer. It requires more real courage, than it does to arm and Avalk out into the fierce literal battle- field. Bonaparte did not find the resources of his courage so severely taxed at Waterloo or Lodi's bridge, as the man, long accustomed to the fatal Aveed, in gathering himself up to cast this devil at his feet. He that conquers here, deserves more credit for genuine valor, than he who slaughters thousands and achieves a nation's freedom. If any one should think of heading an army of men, let him see Avheth- er he has courage to govern himself. He that proves himself able to do this, has given the first and most important evidence of ability to command armies. As desperate as must be the battle to over- come tobacco, it is every one's duty to enter the field. The conquest can be made — a vic- tory can be Avon. Let every man rouse up his latent, sleeping, smothered moral courage, and come to the battle-ground. Let him do it to-day. There must come a now in this matter; procrastination is not only the thief S2 TOBACCO-USING. of time, but, by delay, his own forces are groAving weaker, and the arm of the enemy is groAving stronger. Many have tried to quit it, but have not succeeded; and Avhy? He- cause they only half resolved; resolved merely to try the experiment; and the devil tried against them. The only way to conquer this habit is, to be determined, come life or death, they never will again put the deadly thing to their lips. While a man is half resolved, the adversary of all good will stand at his elboAV, tempting him. And Avhile the half-penitent is Avrithing under the agonies of denied longings, the tempter whispers, "A little tobacco will re- lieve you; a small quid or a single cigar will put all right again ;" and unless the resolu- tion has its foundation deep in the soul, the temptation will prevail. But Avhen a man is determined, without mental reservation, to con- quer this besetting sinful lust of the flesh, and give reason and moral principle their SAvay, that enemy of all righteousness Avill turn on his heel and depart. But Avhile he suffers himself to be led cap- tive by this morbid appetite, he not only yields himself to the will of the evil one, but is crushing all the powers of his higher na- ture. The higher faculties of his being, like ON MOLALITY. 83 the victims of oppression under the iron heel of despotic brutality, are subjected to the foulest tyranny of base grovelling lust. TOBACCO ON MORALITY. Habits that tend to degrade the body de- grade the soul. A man's moral tastes will keep pace Avith his physical appetites. By carrying natural appetites beyond their bounds, he Aveakens his control over those propensities of his nature Avhich are right in themselves, but which become vicious and immoral Avhen suffered to overreach their ap- propriate limits. Again, by creating and in- dulging unnatural appetites not furnished by the Creator, but contrary to Nature's laAvs, he may not only look for the various penalties connected Avith those laAvs, but will find a tendency downward in his appreciation of moral obligations. Licentiousness in eating and drinking pre- pares the Avay for licentiousness in other things. The effects of gormandizing on the stomach and brain, call into their immediate sympathy, influences that are besotting and demoralizing on mental tastes and habits. The effects of simple or narcotic excitants on the nervous system, create a demand for 84 TOBACCO-USING. other excitements, which can only be satis- fied at the expense of moral principle ai.d obligations to Divine command. Those very things introduced into the stomach, Avhich fret the nerves, corrode, by sympathy, the finer feelings of the heart. By disturbing the equilibrium of physical action, they make turbid and morbid the disposition of the mind. Thus a licentious body will beget a licentious soul. See the insanity of mind and heart pro- duced by alcohol, even on those who do not indulge in continued intoxication. See its morbid influences on the disposition, and on the affections. It blunts the finer feelings of the heart, and turns the affectionate husband, brother, father, into a cold, unfeeling, inatten- tive marble. It makes him prize his drams more than the bread that feeds the inmates of his dwelling. Not less certain is the in- sanity from tobacco. Nay, its sovereign SAvay is more unyielding. The dram-drinker pos- sibly may be deterred, by the moans of starv- ing children and the tears of a tender Avife and mother, from spending the last sixpence to quench his eager thirst; but let the man who daily lays his money on Tobacco's burn- ing altar find himself unable to furnish a sum sufficient for this, and the supply of the ON MORALITY. 85 requisite quantity of bread for his Avife and children, and the quenchless embers of that fire Avould say, " We must be gratified." Willi that monster's grasp unclenched, there are no groans or woes, no fell disease, no Avithering, gradual, early-coming death, nor tears of Avidowed Avives or hungry orphans' griefs in prospect, that can avail. No pres- ent Avants of those dependent on his purse; no Avarm appeals to parental or connubial love; have eloquence enough to quell the riot- ings of lust, and persuade the Avorshipper of this god to cease this base idolatry, and this human sacrifice. Tobacco blunts the conscience. Appetite and conscience Avould be at Avar in this af- fair, but conscience has lost its poAver; it is iioav seared Avith this scorching, scathing poison. To this form of sin its sensibilities are dead — its perceptive faculties are de- stroyed. The tobacco devotee knows his course is wrong. His judgment, reason, com- mon sense, all conjoin their testimony that this is sin. Yet he heeds it not. Conscience has lost its poAver of utterance. It takes no just cognizance of the Avrong, and there- fore has no call to speak. The deacon of the church, Avho sees, and rightly too, th 8 86 TOBACCO-USING. sin of even moderate steeping of the soul with liquor from the drunkard's cup, disciplines with godly fear his brother for his unchris- tian walk, but heeds not the devil's smearings on his OAvn polluted lips. With conscience Avide awake to his brother's errings with the weaker bane, he himself, with the stronger poison in his mouth, goes on in sin. He lifts his hand to exclude his incorrigible brother for not withholding his lips from the destroy- ing boAvl; Avhile he himself, unconscience- smitten, champs the accursed Aveed betAveen his teeth, and rolls it as a sweet morsel under his tongue. One excitant, as before stated, creates a de- mand for some other excitant. This explains the origin of the fact that so many bad physi- cal habits become associated. Tobacco pre- pares the way for alcohol, by creating a dry, husky, parched feeling in the mouth and throat; and by creating also a sensation of faintness, and Avhat is often called " a gone- ness " at the pit of the stomach. Alcohol creates a demand for tobacco, or some other excitant, in a similar way. This mutual re- lationship existing between these articles, makes it extremely important, that Avhen a reform is entertained in regard to any of ON morality. 87 these, all others of this associated family should also be abandoned. Tobacco greatly retards the progress of temperance; and in my opinion that cause can never make much further advancement, until the men avIio advocate it shall put aAvay this deadly thing out of their mouths. Men who quit their cups, and still hold on upon their cheAving and smoking, are only about half reformed. They give up their drams, but take the more tobacco. What stimulus they deny themselves in one form, they fully supply in another. What is lost in alcohol, is gained in tobacco. And there is a close re- semblance, in some points, betAveen the tAvo. Delirium tremens has been knoAvn to result from the use of tobacco. And Avhile this ex- citant is continued, there is less certainty of the steadfastness of the reformed inebriate. There is great danger that the parched and hankering thirst produced by it, will draw him back to the intoxicating boAvl. Wrong physical and bad moral habits clus- ter together. They bear a kindred relation to each other, and generally appear in family groups. Rum and Tobacco long have been as- sociated. They may certainly be called tAvin- brothers, — nay, more appropriately, twin- 88 TOBACCO-USING. devils. And not these tAvo evils only, join their hands: too often are there three that go together in triplet union, especially in the West and South. The three are Rum, To- bacco, and Profanity; indeed, another might be added, Avhich is Gambling. Not all Avho use the one indulge in the others; but gener- ally the foulest Avords come from the foulest mouths. And from extensive observation through these United States, my settled con- viction is, that RARELY CAN A PROFANE OATH BE FOUND ISSUING FROM A CLEAN MOUTH AND A PURE breath. As a general rule, — a rule with too few exceptions — the more reckless the bodily habits, and the larger the quantities of unnat- ural stimulants, the more reckless and pro- fane the words that give utterance to the soul. One bad habit makes a pathway for anoth- er. And after a second, there folloAvs a third, a fourth, and onward, till a chain is formed, whose clanking sounds make knoAvn the resi- dence of a spirit blackened Avith the stains of varied sins. The general standard of virtue Avill rise or fall with the comparative eleva- tion or degradation of physical habits. The physical habits of individuals and of nations will grade the general level of their virtues. Intelligence and civilization have important bearings on the morals of any people; but by ON MORALITY. 89 no means govern them. A people may be, and have been, very intelligent, and at the same time very wicked. But any people who will discipline their physical habits into obedience to natural laAvs, and practise self- denial on unlaAvful appetites, will be found to practise discipline and self-denial in other things. While those Avho know not self-de- nial in their bodily habits, and let the reins of government fall into the hands of unre- strained indulgences of the mouth, are apt to know no self-denial, and no self-control, in other matters. When animal appetites sway the sceptre in one case, the way is prepar- ing for this SAvay to be carried in another, and another, till their government becomes universal. Hence, when we see individuals Avho do not practically recognize the duty of self-denial in their physical appetites, Ave may safely conclude that the standard of moral integrity is in a state of declension — that they do not practise self-denial upon habits which relate to.moral character. If parents, especially mothers, to whom is committed, in a large degree, the physical, in- tellectual, and moral growth and soundness of the rising generation, Avould secure in their children right moral habits, let them Avatch diligently over their physical habits. If they S* 90 TOBACCO-USING. Avould have them become more eminently moral, they must see that they are accus- tomed to obedience to their physical laws — that they use themselves to right-physical habits. The more they are taught to regard the laAvs which the Creator has given to their bodies, the more they will be likely to regard his moral laws. They will also avoid those habits of body which draw after them prac- tices that degrade moral character. Let the mother remember, that while she neglects proper physical education of her children, she is neglecting her main founda- tion on which she may expect to edify them by intellectual and moral training; Avhile she even indulges their right appetites and their digestive organs with unnatural things, or with good things in an unnatural way or degree, she is paralyzing their susceptibilities to moral culture. An irritated stomach will beget an irritable disposition, and blunt the finer sensibilities of the soul. While children are allowed by their parents, or in after life allow themselves, to treat their, own health and life in a reckless manner, they prepare the way for being reckless toAvard their fellow- men. •This accounts, in a fearful degree, for the apparently low and declining standard of vir- ON MORALITY. 91 tue among us. Who can look upon the pres- ent standard of morality and integrity among the people of our oavu country, in comparison Avith Avhat it Avas half a century or more since, without feeling convinced that it has not risen, but much declined? Did not the early history of our country give far greater signs of a healthful and vigorous state of moral feeling and sentiment, than can be found now? Where are the men avIio are ready to endure self-sacrificing toils and hardships for the salvation of their country? Where those ready to dedicate to its welfare "their lives, their fortunes and their sacred honor"? Where are the men— Avhere their rising race ? and echo answers — where ? But few and far • betAveen are they avIio seek not more the promotion of self than their country's good. If Ave look for moral honesty and political integrity among the ranks of politicians, we search for commodities of rare value, because of their great scarcity. Look at the rapid increase of thefts and robberies committed on the treasury of the country, by men holding offices of state. Look at the bickerings of party factions, growing hotter and hotter with human Avrath. If our country's rights were invaded — if her civil rights and religious freedom were 92 TOBACCO-USING. threatened Avith ruin by an inimical nation — it is to be feared that few would be found, among the statesmen of this day, Avho would as devoutly lay themselves upon their coun- try's altar, from motives of pure patriotism, as did the pioneers of the Revolution. There are men enough Avho Avould go to the battle-field, — men enough ready to perpetrate the horrors of war, whether that Avar Avere right or Avrong, offensive or defensive, avoidable or unavoid- able, — men enough ready to fight; for their habits of life have been such as have promoted the Avarring propensities of their natures. Their habits have been adapted to give an aver balance of action to the combative and destructive organs of the brain. But the momentous inquiry returns: where are the men like our country's fathers, who purchased our freedom Avith their own blood? Avhere the men who Avould come to the rescue; not because they love the fight, but because they love their country's rights? Where are the men of "high moral worth — men with large souls — men in Avhom the animal instincts are held in subjection, and sanctified by the higher powers of human nature? These are few, very few, com- pared with the men who lived two centuries ago. And where need Ave look for the cause ? ON MORALITY. 93 Where, but to the physical depravity of the age? Here lies the great, if not the sole cause, of this moral declension. By degrading the physical, they have degraded their moral nature. This physical cause does not consist alone in tobacco-using, but in various other unnat- ural indulgences. The Teas and the Cof- fees resemble in their nature and effects the articles Alcohol and Tobacco. They are as truly hurtful, but are not as powerful. Tea intoxicates the nerves, but not to the same degree as spirituous liquors. Coffee possesses a large amount of sedative poison, but not the potency of tobacco. There is no habit of the age, there is no unnatural luxury at- tached to this generation, that is so deadly — so at Avar Avith human vitality — so depre- ciating to the physical, intellectual, and moral soundness of men, as that now under con- sideration. It is the major-general, leading the great army of invaders which array them- seh-es against human life and human virtue. Our country is increasing in Intelligence, but not in Virtue. These tAvo form the basis of any successful republican government. These are the two great pillars on Avhich such an organization must be founded, in order to endure. One of those is increasing in strength; 94 TOBACCO-USING. but, with all due charity, and due allowance for difference of circumstances, are Ave not compelled to think that the other is too fast losing its power? Look not only at men in political life, but men in business life. In these days, where shall we find an honest man? We are almost hourly shocked with the most unlooked for developments of Avicked- ness lurking A\mere we least expected it. We meet Avith sudden Wrecks of honor here, and of virtue there, Avhich shake the foundations of all human confidence. If there is a decline in the moral standard, the question comes, and should be well con- sidered, Avhat are the causes? To show one cause, and a certain one, must now suffice. It is the disregard Avhich the American people pay to the laws of physical life. Their reck- lessness of the laAvs of their Own animal life leads to recklessness of social and moral obligations. While they trample fearlessly upon their own vitality, they groAV heartless and improvident of the vital interests of all others. There probably is no nation, con- sidering the light they have, Avhere the stand- ard of moral honesty is so low; and there certainly is no nation, civilized or uncivilized, that is living in so extensive violation of natural law as the Americans. When our ON MORALITY. 95 fathers made bean-porridge their luxury, they enjoyed not only the fruit of that simplicity in their bodily soundness and longevity, but maintained sound and healthful morals. So, if Ave would bring back to us the sunny days of that favored period, we must bring back its simplicity of living. Parents must accustom their sons and daughters to such physical habits as will, under Providence, give them sound bodies, and they will have compara- tively sound minds and sound morals. Men and women must put aAvay their artificial excitants, that embarrass the healthful func- tions of nature, and mar their bodily, mental, and moral soundness. Tobacco is a prominent member of the family of excitants. It may be said that our fathers used it, and lived a moral life, and to old age. So they did use it to some extent; but their other habits were far better than ours; and they used less in quantity, and fewer in number Avere devoted to it, in propor- tion to the population. One bad habit may not at once destroy body or soul. But noAV, this deadly article stands at the head of an army of unhalloAved agencies. It enslaves Avith a more inveterate grasp, and binds Avith more enduring, bands, than any other; and draws into its Avake many coadjutors in its 96 TOBACCO-USING. work of physical, mental and moral degrada- tion. To reform these, Ave must first slay the tyrant that heads the army of our physical foes. TOBACCO ON RELIGION. If paralyzing the native energies of the nervous system can impair mental and moral developments, then tobacco is doing its work of destruction on religious character. While it deadens the natural poAver, stability, and activity, of every nerve in the body, it puts a damper upon the developments of religious sentiment and feeling. Tobacco-users so abuse their spiritual energies in this respect, that they cannot conveniently carry out the form, much less apparent spirit, of religious services, without this ungodly agent. A social meeting for religious services, composed of tobacco- users, deprived for several hours of that filthy companion, would be a dreary affair: there Avould be no signs of emotion except those of ungratified lust, and the Devil laughing over the victory he had won. A deacon once said to me, in self-defence against my appeals to his conscience on the subject, "If I go to conference or prayer meet- ing Avithout first smoking or taking a cheAv of tobacco Avith me, I cannot enjoy the meeting ■ I cannot speak or prav without it; the meet ON RELIGION. 97 mg passes like a dull and heavy task; I enjoy none of its exercises; and I long to have it close, that I may procure relief. But Avhen I previously smoke or carry my plug of tobacco Avith me, I then can enjoy the meeting, can talk and pray, get good and do good, and all goes well." My reply, in substance, Avas this: "Instead, deacon, of going to the social meet- ing under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, depending on its agency to give you enjoy- ment, and freedom of feeling and utterance, you go there leaning on the inspiration of to- bacco—an agency not from above, but from be- neath—one that is ' earthly, sensual, devilish.'" This is a perfect sample of the condition and feeling of thousands; and more or less of all tobacco-users. They so deaden the natural sensibilities of body and mind, by using it, that they are not immediately suscep- tible of the impulses of the Holy Spirit, by which alone a true spirit of devotion and religious enjoyment are induced. Everything to them is insipid and lifeless, Avithout their tobacco. They absolutely depend on its ex- citing properties to give them what they call spiritual life. Unless excited by its immedi- ate use, they come under its paralyzing poAver, which disqualifies them for any and every calling in life. But so far from being 9 98 TOBACCO-USING. under any proper religious feeling, or any in- fluence of Divine energy, they have yielded themselves to the ensnaring and beAvildering excitations of the devil, through his great agent, tobacco. They are in a like condition Avith the liquor-drinker, who, under its excit- ing power, can talk eloquently on religion, and shed alcoholic tears of alternate joy and penitence. The time Avas when the professed minis- ters of Christ Avere accustomed to make use of the unhalloAved inspirations of alcohol to prepare and preach their sermons. Now their eyes are opened to its diabolical agency. No ecclesiastical council would now ordain a man who Avas addicted to his cups. But Avhile they reject this, many of them hold on to the more deadly and soul-crushing agent, tobacco, — an agent, Avhich, Avhen compared with gradual rum-steeping, is making their souls and bodies more perfect slaves to earthly lust. And, besides being a more inveterate enemy to grace, it is a far more filthy sin against God. Noav, instead of giving to the mind the un- hallowed inspirations of the intoxicating drink, they give themselves to the inspiring properties of tobacco. The more intently they study, the more they chew and smoke the deadly stuff. Instead of denying the ON RELIGION. 99 flesh, that the Divine agency may fill the heart, quicken the mind, and guide the thought, they so indulge this sensual appetite as to paralyze the finer susceptibilities of the soul, and, in a degree, shut out the Spirit of God. For tobacco and the Holy Ghost can no more dwell together in the same person, than the Holy Ghost and alcohol. The tobacco more effectually and permanently bars out the Spirit from the inner temple of the man, than alcohol in moderation, because of its pro- tracted sedative influences, which the former does not possess. And it not only embar- rasses the indAvellingof the Spirit, by becloud- ing the. man's inner temple, but by defiling the outer temple. The Spirit of God not only chooses a pure heart, freed from the stains of unhalloAved lusts, but a body free from the literal defilement of gross indifference and filthy physical habits. While the mind occupies its earthly taber- nacle, its vigor and activity depend much upon the healthy state of the vital forces. Consequently, when those vital forces are impaired, mental energy and durability are diminished. Our religious enjoyment and usefulness depend much on a healthful con- dition of the mental faculties. When the vital forces are depressed, comparative gloom- 100 TOBACCO-USING. iness hangs over the mental and spiritual energies. In this Avay, spiritual despondency. or apathy, or both, are general attendants on a depressed state of. the nervous system. AVhatever, therefore, depresses the vital or electric forces of the body, depresses the forces of the soul. Tobacco's most destructive thrust is hurled at the very seat of vitality — the electric circulation of the nervous system. Here is its chief Avork of destruction to the body. And, while doing this, it is jostling the equilibrium and poAArer of the mind, and destroying the vigor and animation of the soul. The dream of an elderly lady may pos- sibly illustrate this truth. She was professedly very pious, but allowed, for many years, her devotions to her pipe, like thousands in the church, to exceed her devotions to God. She was more sure not to forget her vows to this carnal appetite, than not to neglect her closet for prayer. One night she dreamed of an aerial flight to the regions of the spirit Avorld, where not only her eyes could feast on the beauties of elysian fields, but where she could converse with perfected spirits. One of these she asked to go and look for her name in the Book of Life. He complied; but at length returned, Avith a sad countenance, saying it ON RELIGION. 101 was not there. Again she besought him to go, and search more thoroughly. After a more lengthy examination, he returned Avithout finding it. She Avept bitterly. But she could not reft till a third search should be made. After a long and anxious absence, he returned Avith a brightened countenance, saying it had, after great labor, been found; but that so deep Avas the covering which years of tobacco-smoke had laid over it, that it was Avith great difficulty that it could be discerned. She awoke, and found herself prostrated Avith Aveeping. It is not for me to say whether there Avas, or Avas not, any Divine instruction in this dream; but it produced in the old lady a repentance from her evil habits, and a pious resolution hencefonvard to give unto God, not a divided, but a Avhole heart — to cast the idol at her feet, and lay no more of her time, and money, and vital energies, upon its unholy altar. Tobacco stands in the Avay of Gospel im- pressions on the mind of unconverted men. It not only dampens Christian love and zeal, and lessens the spiritual enterprise of the church, but blunts the mental susceptibility of those Avho have never known the power of Divine grace. Any artificial excitement cre- 9* 102 TOBACCO-USING. ates a barrier to impressions from the Holy Spirit. Alcoholic liquors, or opium, or any other excitants of like character, form insuper- able obstacles to saving grace. Take tAvo individuals alike in every respect, except that one narcotizes himself habitually with tobacco, and the one Avho is free from the habit, would be found far more impressible, under Divine influences, than the other. This Avould be found true, whether these influences were bestowed Avhile the subject Avas under its immediately exciting properties, or under its ultimate narcotism. That this poison ob- structs the intercourse of the Spirit, seems practically admitted by the generality of tobacco-using professors ; for, as they are about to enter upon the duty of prayer, they ahvays cast aAvay their quid. They seem intuitively conscious that tobacco and the Spirit have no affinity. Therefore, Avhen they are about to pray, they cast this devil out of their mouth. The time is coming, and we may hope near at hand, Avhen the church will Avake up on this matter; when no one will be received into the church who defiles his body, the temple of God, Avith tobacco; Avhen it will be considered as truly wrong to paralyze the mind and soul with this poison, as to weaken ON RELIGION. 103 their poAvers by alcohol. The time is doubt- less not far distant, Avhen no ecclesiastical council will ordain one Avho brutalizes his nature Avith this deadly thing. No man can conscientiously or effectively preach on the duty of self-denial, Avhile he is giving the lie to all that he can say, by such an unnatural indulgence. Nor could he consistently preach on the duty of saving money for charitable purposes, Avhile he was Avasting his own money for such unhallowed uses. What would be the effect of a man's preach- hg from the text, " Abstain from fleshly lusts which Avar against the soul," on the mind of an enlightened, common-sense congregation, with a plug of tobacco in his mouth, or being knoAvn as a smoker or snuffer of the weed ? While he calls on them to put aAvay unholy appetites, and save their money for the altar of Christ, he must put that most unholy and expensive oral lust forever from him. And while he Avould gain access to the hearts of an idolatrous Avorld around him, he must persuade his church, Avho are the epistles of his min- istry, to put aAvay that idol Avhich adheres closest to the flesh. For unconverted men Avill have very little confidence in the sin- cerity of ministers or churches, with all their professions of love for lost men, while they see, 104 TOBACCO-USING. by demonstrative facts, that they will give more money, on an average, for a plug of Cavendish or a Principe, than to save a soul from hell. If the money spent by the church for this object, could be spent for Bibles and their distribution, Avhat a mighty enlargement of means Avould at once be brought, to bear upon the extension of Gospel light! Tobacco costs the church, every year, more than five times as much money as is collected for sending abroad Gospel light into a be- nighted world. Nor is this expenditure simply a waste of the pecuniary means of the church, crippling its financial strength, but a Avaste of time, and talent, and moral power. And if we reckon only the Avaste of money, while so much is needed for extending the triumphs of the cross, it reflects shame and dis- grace on the Avhole Christian church. To think that the means for sending the Gospel to all the world Avould be more than five times Avhat they now are, if the money paid for tobacco by professors of Christianity, Avere cast into the Gospel treasury, is enough to chill one's blood to the heart. O, shame on the church for their stupidity and sin, touching this thing ! Instead of loving Christ and his Gospel with all the heart, and denying themselves every needless thing, especially every worldly lust ON RELIGION. 105 and ungodly indulgence, in order to increase the Gospel fund, they are Avasting money, time, and energies, for that "earthly, sensual, devilish" appetite for tobacco. They are, also, by their example, encouraging others in a habit Avhich helps to close the avenues of the so'.il against the saving poAver of the Gos- pel ; and are practically saying to ungodly men, that the self-denial of unnatural lusts is a non-essential or an impracticable grace. The literal defilements of tobacco hin- der the progress of Divine truth. Instances have occurred, in times of religious revivals, Avhere individuals Avho Avere occupying the position of inquirers, were so disturbed Avith the tobacco breath of the minister or deacon, Avho was conversing with them on the sub- ject, that they have made this objection against putting themselves any longer in the seat of the inquirers. O, let ministers and deacons put away a breath Avhich resists the Holy Ghost, and nauseates the subjects of its convicting power ! The devil casts infernal smiles on those professors Avho champ and puff this deadly essence ; not merely because it paralyzes physical energy and shortens human life, but because it stupefies the native susceptibilities of the mind, and blunts the soul to the moral suasions of Heaven. Nay, 106 TOBACCO-USING. he triumphs Avhile he knows that its nauseous fumes choke up the gateAvay that leads to the kingdom of Christ, and become a " stench in the nostrils of Jehovah." The time has certainly come Avhen men possessing intelligence and a spirit of human- ity,— men desiring the promotion of virtue and religion, and especially men professing Christianity, — should wake up to this matter, and commence a reform. In this, as in every other moral enterprise, the church ought to take the lead. It is a lamentable fact—one that should bring theblushings of shame upon the face of Zion — that, in some of the most worthy enterprises of moral reforms that have ever come to the help of humanity and of God, the church have been among the last that have put their hands to the work. Men of the Avorld, who cared not for Christ or his kingdom, began and carried on the effort, till the current became so strong, that those Avho professed the name of Christ must either suffer themselves to be disgraced, or get aboard the life-boat and ply the oar. Heaven grant that the dense, dark cloud that hangs over the moral vision of the Avorld, on this sub- ject, may first break away from before the mind of the church! Let them become in this mat- ter "a peculiar people, zealous of good works." ON RELIGION. 107 Let the ministers of Christ awake. Let their condemning testimony be duly given in their preaching; — ay, first let them cleanse their own mouths, if need be, from this un- godly filthiness; and then, Avith eloquence, portray the evils of this vice. And let the church sustain them by example and pre- cept in this labor. If any one has become so blinded by habits that stupefy the moral sense, that they cannot see, let them resolve, at least, that they never will put this thing to their lips again till they have gone to their closets and asked counsel of God. Does any one think that tobacco would ever have be- come a luxury to Adam and his posterity, if the primitive state had been maintained ? Does any one suppose that, if Christ were noAV personally upon earth, he would be found putting the deadly thing to his lips? If not, then let his followers cease to defile them- selves with it. And let them Avipe off the dark stains of their sin in this indulgence, which they have hitherto left upon their house dedicated to the halloAved purpose of Divine worship. Let Satan henceforward be unable to track his dirty customers Avherever they go, anacco-lover is certainly bound to admire it. In vieAv of all that is now said of " woman's rights," he can- not deny her the privilege of access to the indescribable happiness which tobacco in- spires; and he is surely bound to admire in her, that in which he delights so much. If in hinself it lightens the Aveight of care, and is so much company to him when alone, why 132 TOBACCO-USING. should not woman be relieved and made hap- py too? He is bound to relish the external manifestations of the presence of such a source of consolation. The odor in the breath from chewing and snuffing, and perhaps the very substance of the powdered weed appended to ' the nasal extremity, are finishings to a lady's ladyship, not to be lightly considered. Every chewer and smoker is philosophically and conscientiously bound to be attracted and enamored by charms of this kind. Even should she see fit to cheAv the raw material and allow its nectareous fluid to overfloAV her lips, he is bound to admire its presence. If, indeed, his sensibilities should be so.obtuse as not to appreciate such accomplishments, he ought to be condemned to the solitude of bachelorism for life. What a Paradise that would be Avhere all the lovers of the Aveed could dwell together in mutual sympathy and domestic harmony ever- more ! Where goats, and worms, and men, Avho sacrifice to this god, could worship around the same altar, and pour out their libations unmolested ! WThere snuffing and puffing, chewing and dipping, make the beauty of the body and the feast of the soul! TCBLIC BKATTIES. 133 public beautij:s. There are some things connected Avith this matter in Avhich the people in common have an interest. When Avalking the streets, how comforting, especially to those Avho have no other access to such delicacies, is a full gust of tobacco-smoke in your face, from some be- nevolent friend just before you ! His generous puffs inhaled upon your lungs, give you the luxury, with no other labor or expense than that of following in his wake. The cheAver, also, will often contribute his share by generous sprinklings from his overfloAving lips, under a favorable breeze. At the hotel, on the steamboat, and in va- rious other places, no breath can scarcely be found uuimpregnated with tobacco-smoke. Under a deep sense of obligation for such favors, it has often been my Avish that my pockets were filled with asafoetida, to burn for incense, in return for tobacco-smoke,— taking it for granted, as all tobacco-smokers do, that my perfume was perfectly agreeable to all. We meet the decorations of this article everywhere. Chewers can be traced when- ever they so. They leave the mark of the Hast upon everything within their reach. In 131 TOBACCO-USING. Avinter, after the heavens have spread during the night, a robe of snow upon the earth's surface, the chewers in the morning will im- mediately change its universal Avhiteness by a profusion of dye-stuffs. Follow the man Avith stained lips to his place of business. Here you see the marks which indicate his standard of civilization. As you salute him, he will give his quid an- other turn in his mouth; and, having emptied the same of its surplus of fluids into some well-filled receptacle, or at random Avherever it may hit, he is ready to converse. Go with him to the devotions of the vestry. Here he Avill reneAv his cud to quicken his zeal; and the harder he cheAvs, the more his soul is in- spired;— and out of the abundance of juices his mouth lets forth, till a mass of his liquid devotions lies at his feet. See the deacons and elders delivering the libations of their lips upon every part of the consecrated place. Without the inspiring Aveed their devotions Avould be stale and lifeless. It is the sine qua non of their spiritual life. Forty-eight hours of abstinence Avould ruin their present spirit- ual hopes. Follow the tobacco-loving priest to his study. What is the aspect or flavor of his room? Do you not see the signs of devotion A PUBLIC BEAUTIES. 135 to his god? He cannot study his sermon, or even pray Avith fervor, till he has taken a cheAV or a smoke. He cannot go into his desk until he has roused his spiritual energies by seeking aid from narcotic inspirations. He then can preach to his people on the enslaving poAver of lust, and present in himself a living demonstration of its potency. He can preach economy for the sake of Christian benevo- lence, while he and his people give practical illustration of its utility, by spending more money for sensualizing their bodies, than they are giving for the spread of Bibles and tracts and gospel truth among the heathen. They imitate the man preaching from the text, "The world, the flesh, and the devil." He said he should speak but a short time on the Avorld, dwell briefly on the flesh, and then proceed immediately to the devil. They pray but little for the Avorld, give little for its redemption, and proceed immediately to the spending of time and money, largely and freely, for the grossest sensualities. They ex- hibit in this great perseverance. In the course of a year many of them cheAV enough, if cut in strips as found at the shops, to measure from one to tAvo hundred feet—from thirty to sixty yards. This, in fifty years, would make a strip from one to two miles in length. This 136 TOBACCO-USING. is perseverance,— and final perseverance; for, Avhen they get biting hold of their long plug, and the soul gives up its umpirage to its con- trol, they never let go,— they persevere unto the end of life. In this way they are contributing to that mighty channel in Avhich flow $5,000,000 annually spent by professors of Christianity in the states for this fleshly indulgence, Avhich shortens human life, benumbs the piety of the church, sears the consciences of men, fosters general intemperance, and aids in carrying multitudes to a premature retribution. Satan looks on, and exultingly, yet in sup- pressed tones, exclaims, "This is the church for me,— these members, deacons, ministers for me ! This is money in the right channel; let the current floAv on ; it hinders the progress of civilization, moral enterprise, and gospel light." No wonder the fiend of human sal- vation exults, as he sees this mighty river widening and deepening by its turbid tribu- tary streams of drunkenness, profanity, gam- bling, debauchery, and crime. As the stream Avidens and deepens, it gro.ws darker and darker Avith the blood of its victims, till it empties its hell-black Avaters into the bottom- less abyss. STATISTICS. 137 STATISTICS. Tobacco helps to fill our poor-houses, hos- pitals, insane asylums, houses of correction, and penitentiaries. It puts money into the pockets of physicians, by increasing the prev- alence and severity of diseases. It gives busi- ness to laAvyers, sheriffs, and courts of justice; for all the knaves, vagabonds, pickpockets and highAvay robbers, are cheAvers and smokers. Not every cheAver or smoker is a vagabond or knave, but every knave and every vagabond is a chewer or smoker. Low, vulgar and vicious physical habits, and corresponding moral habits, Avill generally cluster together. The virtues of tobacco seem tohavebeen first brought to light in this country by Romanus Paine, in 1496, Avhom Columbus left, on return- ing home from his second voyage. For a few centuries this habit received great opposition. In 1590 a Persian king so sternly prohibited its use, that many of his subjects fled to the mountains to Avorship this matchless deity, and escape persecution. In 1610 a Turk, at Constantinople, being found smoking, was led through the streets as a punishment, Avith his nose transfixed with a pipe. In 1630 smokers were condemned to the punishment of having their noses slit. In 1661, in Berne, Switzer- 13S TOBACCO-USING. land, in the police regulations, there Avas a code of prohibitions after the form of the ten commandments, in which the one on tobacco stood next to that which said, "Thou shalt not commit adultery." In 1690 Pope Inno- cent XII. renewed a bull issued at some former period by Pope Urban, which excluded all tobacco snuffers and smokers from the church. The manufacture of tobacco gives employ- ment to a large number of people. In Rich- mond, Va.. alone, there are manufactured about 15,000 000 pounds, requiring forty-five factories, and about twenty-five hundred hands. In IS 10 there Avere employed in the culture and manufacture of the article in the United States 1,500,000 persons,— nearly one- tenth of the Avhole population. At this rate, in 1852, with a population of about 25,000,- 000, together with the evident average increase of tobacco-using in the. United States as a whole, there are probably about 2,500.000 persons now employed. It is said that in the city of New York more money is paid annually for this ar- ticle than is paid for bread. Some country towns have found that their tobacco costs more than is paid for the support of their churches and schools. The consumption in the states; in 1840, Avas $20,000,000. This amount con- PUBLIC BEACHES. 139 sumed by a population of 17,000,000, then, Avould make the amount used now, in 1852, by a population of about 25.000,000,— consider- ing its evident proportional increase,— to be, probably, not less than $30,000,000 annually. One-sixth of this sum is probably consumed by those avIio profess to deny themselves of all ungodliness and Avorldly lust, and to give what their pecuniary means will allow for the spread of gospel light and the salvation of men. There are between four and five mil- lions of church-members in the various denom- inations in the United States. Allowing for the excess of females over the number of men in the church, and the proportion of children in our whole population Avho could not be reckoned in this estimate, we shall find the members of the churches in the states consum- ing at least $5,000,000 of tobacco annually. What a sum is thirty millions of money worse than thrown aAvay by the men of these states! What internal improvements in harbors and rivers —what literary and scientific advance- ments—and what progress in the cause of hu- manity, could be made with this sum ! What, too, would five millions do, by extending a knowledge of gospel redemption, toward merg- ing the kingdoms of this world into the final kingdom of the King of Zion ! EARNEST APPEAL The sober question noAv comes in view of all the solemn and ludicrous realities here presented, whether we will continue this habit, or now divorce ourselves from it for- ever. Has the habit been overcharged, or its consequences overrated ? If so, wherein ? It has been my intention to come up, if possible, to the standard of truth, boldly and honestly, and there abide. Let this question come before a jury of scientific, unbiased men, and let them, under oath, bring in their verdict of Truth, or Not Truth. If called upon before that jury to give my testimony under oath, Avith my life depending upon their decision, that testimony must be, that every Avord spoken here is believed to be founded on the truth, and nothing but the truth. If this small volume contains truth, and only truth, it is certainly time that every thinking man, every moral man, every Chris- tian man, should Avake up and act. No matter how fashionable the sin, — fashion cannot sanctify or sanction it. If fault be APPEAL. 141 found Avith any part of the style of this treatise, let it be remembered that the style must be in some degree in keeping Avith the subject. If the times did not oblige me to Avrite on a ridiculous and offensive subject, they should be spared the pain of a style of thought and diction Avhich is indispensable to express it. Let that foul destroyer of human life be purged from the mouth of civilized society, and there will be no longer occasion to speak of it. Men Avho care for themselves or the raee should get up organizations against the prac- tice. The testimony of every man, enlight- ened on the subject, is against it. Some of the first physicians of the land — hoAV would it gladden me to say all!—are against it. The testimony of the great surgeon of Mas- sachusetts, Dr. J. C. Warren, is against it. Dr. Twitchell, of New Hampshire, noAV de- ceased, the surgeon of all that section of country, Avas, during his professional life, a most valiant Avarrior against it. And after having often declared, during my lecturing tours South and West, my settled conviction that tobacco was doing a worse work to the physical character of the present generation than alcohol, it gave me pleasure to find in his memoirs, that that eminent surgeon had Ion- since expressed the same conviction. 142 TOBACCO-US NG. Physicians have a great responsibility in this matter. Like the police and night-Avatch of our cities, on the look-out for invaders upon the safety of the people, they are pro- fessedly set to guard the people from the en- croachments of agents that destroy health, and cut off life. Let them walk up to the standard of their high calling in this matter, and no longer sleep over this devastating scourge. Let them see the number of cases of consumption produced mainly by its influ- ence on the respiratory organs; cases of palsy, by its poAver on the nervous circula- tion; cases of night-deaths, by its paralyzing influence on the nerves of involuntary mo- tion, producing fatal nightmare; cases of palpitation, by its effects on the heart; cases of cancer, by its disturbance on the glands; and hosts of other maladies. Dr. Warren reports the case of cancerous tongue attributable to tobacco, which an oper- ation could not save from death. Dr. Twitch- ell's memoirs, by Dr. Bowditch, published in 1851, reports a case of consumption saved by giving up tobacco; also, a case of nearly fatal nightmare cured by quitting it. Dr. TAvitch- ell found that nearly all the cases of death during sleep, Avhich came under his observa- tion, were of men Avho had indulged largely APPEAL 143 in tobacco. And the correctness of his state- ments was confirmed by investigations made by the Boston Society for Med'n-al Obser.a- tion. Any medical" man can see how liable is palpitation to follow the use of an article so powerful, that a single cigar will increase the pulse fifteen or twenty strokes per minute. In view of such facts, which are neither few nor small, let the medical faculty cleanse themselves from the shameful stains of the Aveed, devote their influence, by word and example, to the cause of humanity and of God, and come to the rescue. Can any man, in the exercise of common sense, give himself a good reason for indulg- ing for another hour this uncleanly, un- gentlemanly habit? If he can, then let him go on; if not, why continue it? A man who acknowledges no other government for him- self than mere animal appetite or fleshly passions, is in a very dangerous moral condi- tion Into what excess of vice or crime may he not run, under such a rule of conduct? If a man be a man, let him act like a ra- tional, intelligent being; if not, let him no longer put on the counterfeit, and pretend to be what he really is not. Why will a man use as a luxury tin deadly nuisance? Is his vitality so deficient 144 TOBACCO-USING. in native stamina, his physical and mental machinery so destitute of force, that they need such artificial steaming? If, f°r sucn reasons, he uses tobacco, instead of curing this native lack, he is greatly adding to it. Does he feel himself so wanting in the es- sential qualities of a gentleman, that he needs the finishing strokes Avhich tobacco gives to make him pass, his chances must be ex- ceedingly small for rising in the scale of being. Nay; as he values himself in the sphere he is made to occupy,—as he values the body, mind and soul, which the Creator has united in his person, — let him defend him- self against the destructive invasions of an enemy so foreign to his nature, and so hurtful to his being for time and eternity ! Let every man Avho has a soul put away this nerve-prostrating, mind-benumbing, soul- paralyzing drug, — this fleshly, ungodly lust! Let every man break the bonds of this vile and degrading servitude, and no longer let his spirit be in bondage to the flesh ! Let the powers of his higher nature come to the rescue, and not flinch from the dreadful con- flict, till they shall gain the victory over their physical being, and the body shall yield quiet submission to the triumph of the soul!