tobacco have formed an entirely erroneous opinion of its properties. In the sequel, I trust it will appear, that so far from possessing valuable properties, it is one of the most noxious weeds that grows; that, as an article of medicine, it possesses scarcely a redeeming quality; and that, though it was not made in vain, if the world had remained ignorant of it six thousand years longer, no cause of regret would have been occasioned.

I maintain the position I have laid down,

II. From a consideration of the ruinous effects of tobacco upon the health and constitution of men.

In considering this point, let us examine the properties of this weed,—the prominent diseases which the use of it induces,—and the experiences of unprejudiced observers. The properties of tobacco are decidedly poisonous. In proof of this assertion, I appeal to ample and unquestionable authority.

Professor Hitchcock says, "I group alcohol, opium and tobacco together, as alike to be rejected; because they agree in being poisonous in their natures." "In popular language," says he, "alcohol is classed among the stimulants, and opium and tobacco among the narcotics, whose ultimate effect upon the animal system is to produce stupor and insensibility." He says, "Most of the powerful vegetable poisons, such as hen-bane, hemlock, thorn-apple, prussic acid, deadly night-shade, fox-glove and poison sumach, have an effect on the animal system scarcely to be distinguished from that of opium and tobacco. They impair the organs of digestion, and may bring on fatuity, palsy, delirium, or apoplexy," He says, "In those not accustomed to it, tobacco excites nausea, vomiting, dizziness, indigestion, mental dejection, and in short, the whole train of nervous complaints."

Dr. Rees, in his Cyclopedia, says; "A drop or two of the chemical oil of tobacco, being put upon the tongue of a cat, produces violent convulsions, and death itself in the space of a minute."

Dr. Hossack classes tobacco with opium, ether, mercury, and other articles of the materia medica. He calls tobacco a "fashionable poison," in the various forms in which that narcotic is employed.

— He says, "The great increase of dyspepsia; the late alarming frequency of apoplexy, palsy, epilepsy, and other diseases of the nervous system; is attributable, in part, to the use of tobacco."

Dr. Waterhouse says that Linnæus, in his natural arrangement, has placed tobacco in the class Luridæ—which signifies, pale, ghastly, livid, dismal and fatal. "To the same ominous class," he adds, "belong fox-glove, hen-bane, deadly night-shade, lobelia, and another poisonous plant, bearing the tremendous name Atropa, one of the furies." He says, "When tobacco is taken into the stomach for the first time, it creates nausea and extreme disgust. If swallowed, it excites violent convulsions of the stomach and of the bowels to eject the poison either upward or downward. If it be not very speedily and entirety ejected, it produces great anxiety, vertigo, faintness, and prostration of all the senses; and, in some instances, death has followed." The oil of this plant, he adds, is one of the strongest vegetable poisons, insomuch that we know of no animal that can resist its mortal effects. Moreover, says Dr. Waterhouse, after a long and honorable course of practice, "I never observed so many pallid faces, and so many marks of declining health; nor ever knew so many hectical habits, and consumptive affections, as of late years; and I trace this alarming inroad on young constitutions, principally to the pernicious custom of smoking cigars."

Professor Graham says "Tobacco is one of the most powerful and deadly poisons in the vegetable kingdom." "Its effects on the living tissues of the animal system," he adds, "are always to destroy life; as the experiments made on pigeons, cats, and other animals abundantly prove."

The Editors of the Journal of Health say, "Tobacco is in fact an absolute poison. A very moderate quantity introduced into the system, even applying the moistened leaves to the stomach, has been known very suddenly to extinguish life. In whatever form it may be employed, a portion of the active principles of tobacco, mixed with the saliva, invariably finds its way to the stomach, and disturbs or impairs the functions of that organ. Hence most, if not all, who are accustomed to the use of tobacco, labor under dyspeptic symptoms. Our advice is to desist immediately and entirely from the use of tobacco in every form, and in any quantity, however small. A reform, to be efficacious, must be entire and complete."

Dr. Warren says, "The common belief that tobacco is beneficial to the teeth, is entirely erroneous; on the contrary, by its poisonous and relaxing qualities, it is positively injurious." Says another physician, "Though snuff has been prescribed for the head-ache, catarrh, and some species of opthalmia, and sometimes with good effect; yet in all cases where its use is continued, it not only fails of its medical effect, but commits great ravages on the whole nervous system, superinducing hypochondria, tremors, a thickening of the voice, and premature decay of all the intellectual powers."

As a diuretic, Dr. Fowler, and others, have found it in some cases to be valuable. Its narcotic properties have sometimes as

suaged the tooth-ache; but it always hastens the destruction of the teeth. But of all substances in pharmacy, there seems to be a general agreement among medical writers, that tobacco, though occasionally beneficial, is the most unmanageable, and used with the least confidence.

A multitude of cases, confirming these views, have actually occurred; two or three of which I will cite. A clergyman, who commenced the use of tobacco in youth, says, "that no very injurious consequences were experienced till he entered the ministry, when his system began to feel its dreadful effects. His voice, his appetite, and his strength failed; and he was sorely afflicted with sickness at the stomach, indigestion, emaciation, melancholy, and a prostration of the whole nervous system. All this," says he, "I attribute to the pernicious habit of smoking and chewing tobacco." At length he abandoned the quid and the pipe. His voice, appetite, and strength were soon restored; all aches subsided, and in a little time general health was enjoyed.

Another clergyman writes, "I thank God, and I thank you, for your advice to abandon smoking; my strength has doubled since I relinquished this abominable practice."

A respectable gentleman in middle life, who commenced chewing tobacco at the age of eighteen, was long afflicted with depression of spirits, great emaciation, and the usual dyspeptic symptoms.—All attempts to relieve him were fruitless, till he was persuaded to dispense with his quid. Immediately his spirits revived, and he soon regained his health.[B]

Cases of reform and cure are occurring by thousands, every year, all over the land. Let every lover of tobacco, who is afflicted with dyspepsia, and nervous maladies, reform, immediately and entirely; and let him adopt a simple and rational system of diet, regimen, and employment; and in nine cases out of ten, he may hope to enjoy good health, and live long to bless the world.

The conclusion from all this evidence is established, that tobacco is an active poison; that its constant use induces the most distressing and fatal diseases; and that, as a medicine, it is rarely needful, and never used, even medicinally, with entire confidence. This loathsome weed, then,