Tobacco Leaves: Being a Book of Facts for Smokers
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CHAPTER XVII
EFFECTS OF TOBACCO SMOKING ON THE HUMAN SYSTEM
Physical effects.Opinions of medical men quoted and discussed.
EFFECTS OF TOBACCO SMOKING ON THE HUMAN SYSTEM
It is a matter of very great importance for the user of tobacco that he should have clear information regarding the beneficial and harmful effects of tobacco on the human mind and body. There are very few matters which have been the subject of such varied opinions; such exaggeration and misconception. Those who are opposed to the use of tobacco have not hesitated to ascribe to it every form of evil, physical, mental and moral. Insanity, epilepsy, cancer, malignant throat disease, blindness, heart disease and a host of other diseased conditions are traced to tobacco smoking by its enemies. On the other hand the users of tobacco are scarcely less vehement in holding that no harmful effects follow, but ascribing all kinds of virtue as resulting from its use. It is not our object in this chapter to justify or recommend the use, or to advise the avoidance of tobacco; we think it is a matter that the individual should decide for himself. Moreover, we think that no general rules governing all cases can be laid down, but that each individual must judge for himself whether the use of tobacco is justified in his own particular case or not, taking into consideration all the circumstances that affect him.The important thing is that he should possess clear and correct information with regard to the effects of tobacco as far as such have been scientifically determined; and from the observation of its effects on his own organism to determine whether in his own case the practice is beneficial or otherwise and to what extent it may be pursued if he desires to smoke.
We, therefore, purpose to submit the facts which have been determined by the most careful scientific investigators and others of high standing, who, from their experience in the investigation of the causes of disease, are best qualified to offer opinions which may be accepted as authoritative.
A perusal of the vast amount of literature both for and against the use of tobacco brings out certain points very largely.First, in the case of the opponents, the most sweeping statements are made without a particle of scientific proof in support of them, by persons who are in no way qualified to make such statements.Statistics are quoted most recklessly and accepted as conclusive, although in most cases there is no logical connection between the matter of the statistics and the absolute effects of tobacco.If there is a question of a certain condition, it is not sufficient to show that the person suffering from it was a user of tobacco and to allege, therefore, that tobacco was the cause of the condition. It must be shown conclusively that no other circumstances than the use of tobacco could have caused this condition. Dr. T. W. Jenkins, of Albany, N. Y. , (New York Medical Journal, 1915, V.102, p.355), who was awarded a prize by this leading medical journal for his essay on tobacco smoking says: “The first thing to bear in mind is that considering the large amount of tobacco used very little harm results, and care should be taken not to incriminate tobacco when the troubles under observation may be due to other causes.”
Secondly, among the investigators themselves who have made impartial inquiries about the effects of tobacco, there is sometimes a wide difference of opinion in the interpretation of results and in the relation of cause and effect.Thus most varied opinions exist on the subject of nicotine.The result is that it is difficult for the average man to come to a satisfactory conclusion on the subject; for it cannot be said that the scientific knowledge of the effects of tobacco smoking on the human system as presented to us today is final or sufficiently well determined to enable definite and true conclusions to be arrived at.
Thirdly, there is the widespread error of ascribing the evils of the abuses of tobacco to the use of tobacco. This matter of the use and abuse of tobacco cannot be put too clearly. Most medical investigators have based their results clearly on the excessive use of tobacco. It is a very rare thing to find a medical investigator drawing attention to any harmful results following the moderate use of tobacco, and it appears a just statement to make that the majority of men use tobacco in moderation. It appears to be true that excessive smoking is harmful and is capable of producing deleterious effects on the respiratory and nervous systems in man, but it has never been scientifically proved that the moderate use of tobacco has any particularly harmful effects. Moreover, it is well-known to the medical profession and so stated constantly that in many cases where the use of tobacco has produced bad effects on the eye, nerves, etc., its use is contra-indicated, owing to the condition of the subject due to other causes and that such results would not occur in a normally healthy subject. Therefore, because tobacco when used excessively or when used by persons who are not constitutionally fitted for it, produces bad effects, it is not logical to argue, as many opponents of tobacco smoking do, that the use of tobacco is universally harmful.
Fourthly, the conclusions arrived at by some investigators, are based on experiments made on animals, and it appears quite open to criticism, and is in fact disproved by common experience, that such results will follow when applied to man.Hinging on this is the question of immunity and toleration.The human system will easily after use tolerate effects which at first it rebels against.This may easily be seen in muscular and other efforts.Let a man who is constantly leading a sedentary life suddenly walk 10 miles.The result is almost prostration and he will not recover from it for a considerable time.Let him, however, commence by walking a mile or two and gradually at each walk increase the distance, and in a short while he will be able to walk 10 miles without feeling any fatigue.Similarly running or other rapid exercise to a person not used to it will produce such rapid disturbances in the respiration and circulation as even to be fatal, while the seasoned athlete may perform such feats without the least ill effects.
To take animals or persons who have never before used tobacco and to argue or conclude that the effects of tobacco smoke on them are the effects of tobacco on smokers generally is absurd. Yet such experimental results are very often made the basis of denunciation of tobacco smoking.
Finally most investigators have made their inquiries for the exclusive purpose of discovering the evil effects of tobacco smoking. They proceed to their work with a biassed mind. They have already assumed that the habit is harmful and they simply want to find out how much harm they can discover. They are prejudiced from the beginning. It is to this class of investigator that Dr. John Aikman refers to (New York Medical Journal, Oct.30, 1915), when he says: “In reading the literature on the use of tobacco we are impressed by the fact that much of it is written by persons greatly opposed to the use of the plant, and naturally prejudiced.”It is quite conceivable that a man may investigate the evil effects which follow from wearing clothes and shoes and he could undoubtedly find some evil effects; but the users of such articles could very justly say that the beneficial results of such habits more than outweighed the demonstrated harm that might occur.And then the user of tobacco might say that the beneficial effects of smoking more than compensated for any slight harm that may happen.For tobacco has undoubtedly many excellent effects, and no one knows this better than the smoker himself. He will readily admit that excess is bad. He will readily admit that the use of tobacco is not suitable to immature persons, or in fact to many other persons, but he insist that in the majority of cases, it is not only practically harmless but that it has many desirable qualities, for that is proved by his own experience and the experience of millions of other smokers in all ages and under all conditions.
We will now proceed to consider some of the effects which have been ascribed to tobacco smoking and give expressed opinions concerning them.
Physical Effects of Tobacco Smoking
The principal deleterious effects on the human system ascribed to the use of tobacco are:
(a) Throat diseases.
(b) Disturbance of vision.
(c) Heart troubles (smokers’ heart).
(d) Disturbance of the digestive organs (dyspepsia, etc.).
(e) Disturbance of the nervous system.
(f) Disturbance of nutrition.
As regards (a) throat diseases, the following is the opinion of Dr. H.Reik of the Johns Hopkins University, surgeon to the Baltimore Eye, Ear and Throat Hospital, as expressed by him in the Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, Vol.162, p.856, 1910:
“There is not one scintilla of evidence that malignant disease of the throat is due in any way to the use of tobacco; and if it be admitted that carcinoma (cancer) of the lip or tongue has been produced by smoking, it is clearly not tobacco, but traumatism (i.e., injury) from the stems of the pipe or other tobacco container that is responsible.
“It does not appear or at least has not been proven that tobacco causes any definite characteristic lesions of the nose, throat or ear.”
Dr. Reik is a man of high standing in the medical profession.His opinion is clear and unmistakable and it is presumed he has seen thousands of cases of nose and throat diseases and knows what he is talking about.
Dr. Reik refers to the question of so-called smokers’ cancer.Cancer is a disease which attacks all kinds of people and may occur in widely different parts of the body.The causation of this disease is not known to the medical profession but what is known about it is that it usually occurs on the site of some previous injury.Thus cancer may occur on the tongue as the result of the constant irritation of a jagged broken tooth.
Dr. I. C. Bloodgood (Boston Medical and Surgical Journal, No. 2, 1914), who has examined 200 cases of lip cancer says that smoking is a common factor, the disease when occurring being usually on the site of a neglected and ulcerated smoker’s burn. The burn may be a charring of the skin due to a very hot pipe stem or burning cigar stem. He says, moreover, that if the burn is not continued and there is no other injury, this defect may heal without evidence of ulceration.
Similarly a cancer may be the result of continual use of a broken or rough pipe stem or from using a dirty pipe stem on a broken skin. All these are clearly matters which the average smoker easily and usually avoids. It is, however, clear that tobacco itself is in no way responsible for cancer, and no responsible medical writer on the subject alleges that it is.
Most of the medical writers who have inscribed injurious physical effects on the nervous system, heart and sense organs, to excessive tobacco smoking have stated that these effects are due to the toxic action of the alkaloid nicotine known to exist in tobacco. There is a wide difference, however, in the results obtained by different writers as to the amount of the nicotine in tobacco which finds its way with the tobacco smoke. Moreover, some of the investigators who have done very careful work do not consider that nicotine is the toxic element, but the substance called pyridine which is derived from it.
Dr. Bush (quoted below) referring to this matter says:
“From a review of the literature it would appear that extensive studies had been made as to the effects on living organisms of the alkaloid, nicotine.From such studies a great number of writers, especially laymen, have adopted the hasty conclusion that tobacco smoking entailed like results.
“Comparatively few studies have been made of the effects of tobacco smoking on human beings; and such as have been made fail to state if the tobacco used or the smoke produced was examined for nicotine or its congeners. The absence of an examination necessarily causes some doubt in the causative faction of the phenomena. Some authors are rather inclined to conclude that nicotine alone is the pathogenic factor in tobacco smoking, but since the presence of nicotine per se in tobacco smoke is debatable and since other toxic substances are demonstrable, it would seem as if the whole subject still remained open for investigation.”
The nicotine contained in ordinary tobacco, according to many authors, ranges from about 1 to 8 or 9 per cent. Lee’s investigation (Journal of Physiology, 1908, p.335) found that about half of the total nicotine was present in the smoke—according to Lee the pyridin seemed to be entirely without influence.
Lehmann (Archiv für Hygiene, 1909, p.319) found that from 80 to 90% of the total nicotine in a cigar or cigarette was to be found in the smoke.He found also that in the case of cigars about 10 to 18% of the nicotine in the smoke is absorbed by the smoker and that cigarette smoke absorbed by the smoker contains a less proportion of the nicotine in the tobacco than is the case with cigars.The general opinion is, however, that about one-seventh of the nicotine in the tobacco will be found in the smoke.
Entirely at variance with these results are those obtained recently by A. D. Bush, M.D., Instructor of Physiology in the University of Vermont (New York Medical Journal, March 14, 1914), and those obtained in the laboratory investigation by the London LaucetBush made long and extensive investigations on the effects of tobacco smoking and criticised the results of previous workers.He shows very clearly that in many cases the conclusions drawn by them as regards nicotine contained in tobacco smoke are either entirely erroneous or that the deductions made from the investigations were not warranted by the facts observed. He points out the fact that most writers on the subject have overlooked the fact of the great discrepancy between the possible effects arising from the administration of the amount of nicotine in a cigar and the actual effect produced on the smoker of the cigar. He asks this pertinent question: “If a cigar contains 0.085 grains nicotine, and if one-seventh of the nicotine of the tobacco is present in the smoke and if but . 004 grains is capable of causing death, why does the smoker not absorb enough nicotine to cause his demise?”
As a result of his careful experiments, Bush found that although nicotine was present in all the samples of tobacco tested there was no nicotine whatever found in the smoke, except in the case of cigarettes and in this case only traces were found.The reason of this is given as due to the rapid burning of the cigarette which did not allow sufficient time for the complete decomposition of the nicotine.Pyridine was, however, found in the smoke of all tobacco burned.Pyridine is only one-twentieth as toxic as nicotine.Bush concluded, therefore, that pyridine and not nicotine is the toxic factor in tobacco smoke.The same fact was stated several years ago by Rideal (Disinfection and Preservation of Food, London and New York, 1903, p. 254), who says: “Tobacco smoke, contrary to popular belief, does not contain nicotine, which is decomposed by the heat; but pyridine and its homologues and the beneficial effects of tobacco in many cases of asthma must be attributed to this latter.”
The Lancet investigation (see Lancet, Ap. 6, 1912, pp. 944-947) was made because “a recent review of numerous analysis of tobacco which have been published from time to time raises some doubt as to whether the results given correctly represent the actual alkaloidal contents of the tobacco.” Moreover, to find the relationship of the true amount of nicotine in any tobacco to that in the smoke produced by the combustion of that tobacco, and any modification caused by the method of smoking.
The investigation was conducted under the strictest conditions, the most recent methods of chemical research being employed.
The following table (given by the Lancet) shows the nicotine contents of various tobacco samples and the percentage of nicotine in the smoke:
| Description of Tobacco. | Per Cent Nicotine in Tobacco | Per Cent Nicotine in Smoke (Pipe). | Per Cent Nicotine in Smoke (Cigarette). | ||||
| Virginian Cigarettes (Sample 1) | 1.40 | 0.74 | 0.12 | ||||
| Virginian Cigarettes (Sample 2) | 1.60 | 0.60 | 0.06 | ||||
| Caporal (French) Tobacco | 2.60 | 2.20 | 0.95 | ||||
| Turkish Cigarettes | 1.38 | .... | 0.51 | ||||
| Egyptian Cigarettes | 1.74 | .... | 0.21 | ||||
| Pipe Smoking Mixture (1) | 2.85 | 2.20 | 2.25 | ||||
| Pipe Smoking Mixture (2) | 2.81 | 1.53 | .... | ||||
| Pipe Smoking Mixture (3) | 2.04 | 0.23 | .... | ||||
| Perique Tobacco | 5.30 | 1.27 | 0.57 | ||||
| Cavendish Tobacco | 4.15 | 3.85 | .... | ||||
| Latakia Tobacco | 2.35 | 1.20 | .... | ||||
| Havana Cigar | 0.64 | .... | 0.20 |
From this analysis it appears that pipe mixtures contain the largest amount of nicotine in the tobacco (2.04-2.85%).Egyptian and Turkish cigarette tobaccos come next (1.38-1.74%).Virginian cigarette tobacco shows similar figures (1.40-1.60%).French tobacco (Caporal) contains 2.60%, and Perique 5.30%.For all practical purposes the tobaccos consumed by the public according to this report seldom contain more than 3% of nicotine and generally less, the average being about 2%, which is much lower than previous writers lead us to expect.
The cigarette, whether Egyptian, Turkish or American, yields the least amount of its total nicotine to the smoke formed, while the pipe yields a very large portion (in some cases between 70 and 80%) of its nicotine to the smoke. Analysis of cigar smoke gives figures midway between the two.
With the results of Bush and the Lancet before him the user of tobacco will be better able to judge of the opinions of those who describe the effects of nicotine on the vision, heart, digestive organs, etc., as likely to be the results of tobacco smoking.
Thus the disturbance of vision ascribed to tobacco smoking is called tobacco amblyopia.
Dr. W.S.Franklin of San Francisco (Calif.State Jour.of Med., 1909, V. 7, p. 85), says that to produce this disease it is necessary to smoke daily from . 75 to 1.0 gms. of pure nicotine. If 17% of the nicotine of tobacco is carried in the smoke, in order to absorb that quantity 7 or 8 cheap domestic cigars, 10 or 11 Cubans or 60 cigarettes should be smoked. Now very few smokers consume this amount and according to Bush, and the Lancet, and others there is no such percentage of nicotine in the smoke.
To the use of tobacco is ascribed an acid dyspepsia—this, however, is noticed more particularly in habitual chewers and in this case the nicotine not being burnt has no chance of being decomposed. All writers have agreed that chewing is the worst way that tobacco can be used. Dr. R. V. Dolbey says: (Northwest Medicine, 1909, V.1 p.99).
“In chewing, quantities of watery extract of tobacco are swallowed and taken down with the food containing a large percentage of nicotine and causing severe dyspepsia.While tobacco juice solution in the laboratory kills intestinal bacteria, excessive tobacco chewing does not have this effect on the human body owing to the fact that the gastric and pancreatic juices act on it and alter it.”
Dr. I. S. Gilfilian discusses the effects of tobacco on the heart in the St. Paul Medical Journal, July, 1912, p.338.He says that the important part whether organic changes in the cardio-vascular system may be produced by tobacco is still doubtful, and that it has never been shown that smokers suffer more from organic heart disease than nonsmokers.
General opinion is that smoking lessens the pulse rate and slightly increases the blood pressure, and that it is a cause of arterio-sclerosis.
With regard to arterio-sclerosis, Dr. A. Lorand of Carlsbad who is a world-wide authority on the effects of toxic substances on the blood, says in his book, Old Age Deferred (English translation, 1910, p. 367):
“Clinically we have observed the great frequency of arterio-sclerosis in great smokers, but we do not think that two or three light cigars a day, but never before meals, can do any harm save in exceptional cases. Indeed there are a few instances of persons living to be over 100, notwithstanding the fact that they were smokers—a fact contrary to the observation of Hufeland who pretends that he never heard of such a case. The famous English painter, Frith, who died in October, 1909, used to smoke 6 cigars a day, and Mr. F. of Chartres, in France, passed last year his 100th birthday in spite of his having taken snuff all his life.”
If there were any serious lesions caused in the human system by the continued use of tobacco we might naturally expect that life insurance companies would take notice of it, but hear what they have to say (Medical Record, New York, July 12, 1913):
Dr. H.G.Turney, at the meeting of Life Insurance Medical Officers Association, London, January, 1913, said that as far as observation and study of the literature went he did not consider that there was much evidence that the habit of smoking can be convicted of any serious effect on the mortality table.One must confess rather to a feeling of surprise that the life-long absorption of so potent a drug as nicotine by a large proportion of the male population should not be accompanied by more obvious results in the way of serious injury to the cardiac muscle than appears to be the case.
Dr. A. Marvin of the Department of Pharmacology, Vermont University, made numerous experiments on the effects produced by tobacco. In the cases of the respiratory system, he states that in rapid smoking the respiratory rate is increased, due more to the effort than to the drug. In deliberate smoking there is very little effect. In the digestive system the effects produced were, increased flow of saliva and stimulation of the mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines. Marvin did not find any important symptoms of systemic irregularities except where there was excessive use of tobacco. He says: “Tobacco produces, when used to excess, symptoms in a very small per cent and often it is only one factor in producing the conditions observed.”A very cautiously expressed and noncommittal opinion.
It is to be remembered that of the percentage of nicotine in tobacco smoke only a small portion is drawn into the smoker’s system.The greater part passes off again in the smoke passed out; also that the products of combustion of tobacco include acqueous solution as well as smoke; it will not probably be questioned that some of this watery solution is drawn into the mouth as well as the smoke and probably contains minute quantities of nicotine or its derivatives.
The smoker may obviate any slight harmful effects of these substances by care.If he is a cigar smoker he must avoid chewing or sucking the butt end of the cigar in which the acqueous solution finally gathers, and he would find it better to smoke long thin cigars which afford a small area behind the burning point for the collection of acqueous vapor and give a better combustion.Judged from these viewpoints the best and most expensive thick cigar is likely to be more harmful than the very worst kind of a cigarette, for although there may be a much smaller percentage of nicotine in the cigar tobacco, a much larger proportion of it may reach the mouth of the smoker through the water produced by combustion, in the case of the cigar than in the case of the cigarette.
Every cigar and cigarette smoker should use a holder for the reason stated.The cigarette from the nicotine point of view is the least objectionable form of smoking.In fact expert opinion is recognizing that unless where the smoke is inhaled cigarette smoking if not excessive is probably harmless.It is hard, of course, to kill a popular prejudice, but we have to deal with demonstrated facts not prejudices. In the case of inhalation of cigarette smoke the danger is from carbon monoxide gas and not from nicotine.
When the difference of opinion amongst authoritative investigators are discounted their general results will be found to agree very well with the general facts observed by all users of tobacco.What they see is that probably seventy per cent of the adult male population under all conditions and circumstances use tobacco within limits of moderation.They see around them men who have for many years used it, and they do not observe any particular harmful results in the user of tobacco compared with the nonuser.Men as a rule are not more nervous, more subject to heart troubles or age troubles than women, who as a sex, do not use tobacco.Smokers do not deny and never have denied that the abuse of tobacco is harmful.
The general view that both scientific investigators and popular observation is able to support is well expressed by Clouston, who is a world known authority on nervous and mental disease. (See Hygiene of Mind, 3rd Ed.London, 1906, p.260.)
“If its use is restricted to full grown men, if only good tobacco is used not of too great strength, and if it is not used to excess, then there are no scientific proofs that it has any injurious effects, if there is no idiosyncracy against it.... Speaking generally, it exercises a soothing influence when the nervous system is in any way irritable. It tends to calm and continuous thinking and in many men promotes the digestion of food.
“Tobacco, properly used may, in some cases, undoubtedly be made a mental hygienie.”
Mann (Brit.Med.Journal, 1908, V.II, p.1673), expresses a similar opinion thus: “Most men if they choose to smoke can do so within certain limits without injury to health.Some men can exceed such limits with apparent impunity.The extent of the limitation must be determined by each man for himself.”
CHAPTER XVIII
THE BENEFICIAL EFFECTS OF TOBACCO
Its disinfecting action.Protection against infectious disease.
Psychological effects of smoking.
THE BENEFICIAL QUALITIES OF TOBACCO
In the previous chapters the possible harmful effects of using tobacco have been dealt with at length.In this chapter we shall deal shortly with some positive beneficial effects.
There is very little doubt that tobacco is a strongly protective agent against infection from disease.Its germicidal qualities are well-known and recognized.It is now recognized by medical writers that the mouth is one of the principal, if not the principal channel of infection for many infective diseases.The cavities of the teeth are the breeding places of hosts of pathogenic bacteria, of which there are about 100 different varieties arising from decaying food and other sources.These destructive agents, many of them highly pathogenic, easily find their way from the mouth through various channels to the inside of the body.Many infective organisms floating in the air are drawn into the mouth in the act of respiration and this is a common method of falling a victim to contagion.
The effect of tobacco juice on the bacteria of the human mouth was investigated by Dr. W. D. Fullerton and is reported by him in the Cleveland Med.Journal 1912, page 585.
In his experiments Fullerton used tobacco juice obtained from the human mouth by chewing plug tobacco. He also used a solution of smoke obtained from a well seasoned pipe. These were first thoroughly sterilized in order to obtain a pure natural mixture of tobacco and saliva. Cultures of well-known species of bacteria were made using every laboratory precaution so as to obtain accurate results. Specimens of these bacterial cultures were then submitted to the action of the tobacco juice. It was found that exposure for one hour killed or rendered innocuous 15 to 98 per cent of the bacteria; exposure for 24 hours acted similarly on from 84 to 100%. Dr. Fullerton gives his opinion, from his results, that it seems that a pipeful of tobacco was more toxic to bacteria than one chew; but chewing tends to loosen retained food particles, foci of bacteria, etc., and much of this is ejected from the mouth. Fullerton’s work agreed very well with the results obtained by other workers in the same line of investigation. In Miller’s Micro-organisms of the Human Mouth, p. 246, it is stated that the organisms of the mouth lead only a miserable existence in a mixture of an infusion of tobacco, sugar and saliva; and that the smoke of the last one-third or the first one-fourth of a Colorado Claro cigar sterilized ten cubic centimeters of beef extract solution which had been richly inoculated with bacteria from decayed teeth. Arnold, Lancet (London, 1907) reports similar experiences with some of the most virulent types of infective bacteria.
Both nicotine and its derivative pyridine as well as the tarry oils resulting from tobacco distillation are strong and effective disinfectants; and formaldehyde, one of the most powerful germicides known, is so formed. Trillat, Annales de l’Institut Pasteur (Paris), Vol. 19, p. 722, shows that 100 grams of pipe tobacco will yield . 063 grams and 100 grams weight of cigar . 118 grams of formaldehyde. Also that a dilution of 1⁄1000 formaldehyde is germicidal to all bacteria although it has very little deleterious effects on man.
As far as can be ascertained there has not been very much investigation for the purpose of demonstrating the actual results of clinical experience regarding the antiseptic qualities of tobacco in the case of smokers, but facts, so far as they have been recorded, bear out the experiments. Rideal Disinfection and Preservation of Food (London and New York, 1903) states that the investigations of Tessarini showed that tobacco smoke passed over the organisms of human cholera and pneumonia killed them in from 10 to 30 minutes. He also states that the Cigar Manufacturers Association of Hamburg reported that in the cholera epidemic of 1892 in that city, only 8 out of 5,000 employes in the cigar factories there were attacked by the disease and that, there were only 4 deaths. Professor Wenck, of the Imperial Institute of Berlin, has published an account of this cholera epidemic (see Laucett francaise, Paris, 1912, p.1425).His conclusions favor the preservative action of tobacco.It was clearly shown that slightly moist tobacco was a fatal germicide for the cholera bacillus; all microbes die in it in 24 hours.The examination of cigars made in Hamburg during the epidemic showed that they were absolutely free from bacilli.Wenck asserts also that cholera microbes die in ½ hour, 1 hour, and 2 hours after having been placed in contact with the smoke of Brazilian, Sumatran and Havana tobacco.The fumes of tobacco will besides kill in five minutes the cholera microbes obtained from saliva.Fullerton already quoted examined a small number of mouths (74) in the Johns Hopkins Hospital at Baltimore.Of those who did not use tobacco in any form a larger percentage showed signs of dental caries and decay of an advanced stage than in the case of tobacco users.Similarly in the case of women who never used tobacco; and, although there was a much greater care and cleansing of the teeth, yet the percentage of decay and disease was higher than in the case of men using tobacco. Fullerton says, “The smoking or chewing of tobacco is decidedly germicidal. Chewing, by exercising the teeth, helps nutrition and eliminates pathological agencies both by destroying them in situ and by removing them in the expectoration.” Rideal (already quoted) mentions that Dr. Burney, the senior medical officer of Greenwich Hospital, London, asserts that the tobacco smoking inmates of that institution enjoyed comparative immunity from epidemics.
From these opinions and examples it seems quite clear that whatever portions of the decomposition products of tobacco reach the mouth and mix with the saliva, or propagate themselves in the immediate surroundings of the smoker, are likely to have extremely good effects.It would be easy to multiply these opinions but there is no use laboring the argument.There is a matter, however, it will do no harm to mention here.Today it is being gradually recognized by the medical profession that the conditions which lead ultimately to gastric and intestinal ulcer including appendicitis are entirely due to infection.At the 1912 meeting of the British Medical Association this was clearly manifested and some of the leading authorities in England pointed out the importance of the mouth as a focus of infection in such diseases. Now if this is so, it is at once apparent how important tobacco as a mouth disinfectant and germicide becomes; and it may incidentally throw some light (otherwise unexplained) on the fact constantly observed that in persons under 30 years old these diseases are far more common amongst women than in the case of men. The use of tobacco is not asserted as a reason, but it may be.
With regard to other beneficial effects—Clouston, Fullerton and Marvin, state that the moderate use of tobacco has a beneficial effect on the digestive system as in general it causes an increased flow of saliva and gastric juice which helps in the digestion of food; it also stimulates the muscles and mucous membrane of the stomach and intestines.The sedative effects of tobacco on the nerves is a preventative of nervous dyspepsia and is valuable for the promotion of good digestion.
While much has been written on the effects of excessive smoking on the nervous system little has been said of the good effects of moderate smoking.Every smoker realizes that the soothing effects of tobacco on the nerves is perhaps its most valuable property.Clouston’s opinion, already quoted (and none could be better), is that “tobacco exercises a soothing influence when the nervous system is in anyway irritable; it tends to calm and continuous thinking.” Fullerton says, “It gives a composure and feeling of well-being which are beneficial to mind and body.” Of these facts there can be no doubt because they are matters of common daily observation and experience. Most smokers find a solace and quieting influence from their evening smoke after the worries of a troublesome day which no other agent can give them. The effect produced may be partly psychological but that does not matter. Indeed the strenuousness of life in the age in which we live seems to demand such a help and nothing appears to supply the want so efficiently, so pleasantly, and with less harm, than a quiet smoke. It puts the smoker at peace with himself and at peace with others. Bush found in his investigations on the mental effects of tobacco on college students that there was a temporary loss of ten per cent in mental efficiency in certain faculties of the mind. This is probably true enough though his results are not quite conclusive. On the other hand many men find that they can think more clearly and more consecutively when helped by a smoke. Indeed they smoke when they have a knotty problem to solve. The point need not be argued; all smokers will agree with it.
Judged from a psychological standpoint the effects of tobacco are entirely favorable.To the sleepless, the worried, to him who is troubled in mind or vexed in spirit, the pipe or cigar is a never-failing remedy to soothe and cheer.It is the feeling of betterment which it engenders and the spirit of good will which tobacco creates that are responsible for its universal use by men differing widely in grade and condition of life as well as in mental caliber; it reaches the common springs which move humanity; its qualities are those which have made the pipe a symbol of peace and a bond of fellowship and union between man and man from Pole to Pole.
From a general summing up of the opinions which have been quoted the question might finally be asked, “Is tobacco on the whole harmful or beneficial to its users?” The answer seems to be this: “Tobacco to the extent used on the average has some slight injurious effects and some slight beneficial effects on the physical system. It is an excellent preservative agent against contagious and infectious disease. Mentally its effects are overwhelmingly beneficial.” In every particular case a man must judge for himself, taking account of his individual idiosyncrasies and conditions whether the use of tobacco is beneficial to him or otherwise.
REFERENCES
Laucet. London, 1906. Vol. I, p. 984. The germ-destroying properties of tobacco.
Arnold, M.B. On the effects of the Exposure of Tobacco Smoke on the growth of pathogenic micro-organisms. Laucet. London, 1907. Vol. I, p. 1220.
Murray, J.C. Smoking; when injurious, when innocuous, when beneficial. London, 1871.
Lezars, I. The use and abuse of Tobacco. Philadelphia, 1883.
CHAPTER XIX
MISCELLANEOUS
Revenue, taxation, etc., in connection with tobacco.Free imports.
Diseases of tobacco. Tobacco flavors. Formulae.
NOTES
The “per capita” consumption of tobacco in the U.S.has increased from 1.6 lbs.in 1863 to between 5 and 6 lbs.at the present time.
At the present time the United States collects about 70 million dollars annually from domestic taxation on manufactured tobacco; and, in addition, about 25 million in import duties.The actual total income from tobacco in 1912 was 96 million dollars.For the fiscal year ending June 30, 1913, tax was paid on the following “withdrawn for consumption”:
Cigars weighing more than 3 lbs.per thousand, 7,699,037,543.
Cigars weighing less than 3 lbs.per thousand, 1,033,778,160.
Cigarettes weighing more than 3 lbs.per thousand, 18,194,311.
Cigarettes weighing less than 3 lbs.per thousand, 14,276,771,160.
Snuff, lbs., 33,209,488.
Tobacco, chewing and smoking, lbs., 401,362,620.
In France, Spain, Austria, Italy and other countries the government has a monopoly over the manufacture and sale of tobacco products. Purchase of leaf in the U. S. is made through government agents.
The quantities of tobacco which may be imported “free of duty” into European countries is as follows:
Austro-Hungary—12 cigars, 35 grams tobacco.
Belgium-None.
Bulgaria—50 cigars, 50 cigarettes, 50 grams tobacco.
Denmark—None.
Egypt—25 cigars, 100 cigarettes, 200 grams tobacco.
France—80 cigars, 300 cigarettes.
Germany—Enough for immediate use.
Great Britain—12 cigars, 20 cigarettes.
Holland—None.
Italy—6 cigars, 15 cigarettes.
Norway—100 cigars.
Portugal—None.
Russia—100 cigars, 100 cigarettes, 100 grams tobacco.
Spain—None.
Sweden—None.
Turkey—None.
In U.S.50 cigars and 300 cigarettes may be imported free.
Small variations in the cost of manufacture (including the cost of leaf), which do not exceed 10%, are usually borne by the manufacturer, and do not affect the price to the consumer.But increase in taxation, either internal revenue or tariff, usually occasions a diminution in consumption as it invariably increases the cost.
The diseases of tobacco due to insect pests, etc.
Tobacco, from the seed bed to the storage of the manufactured products, is subject to attack by insects, etc., and vigilance must at all times be exercised to keep it free from such harmful influences.
Only a few of the principal agencies attacking tobacco will be mentioned here as the subject is of more interest to the specialist than to the smoker. The growing plant is particularly subject to Cut-worm disease and Horn-worm disease. Cut-worms are the larvae of several species of moths. They injure the young, tender plant and feed on the leaves. Horn-worms are the larvae of the Sphinx Moth. 2 or 3 will ruin a plant in one day.
Stored tobacco is subject to many diseases. Bud caterpillars, the leaf-miner or split-worm and the Tobacco flea beetle are minute beetles which attack it. Mosaic disease, Frog-eye or Leaf-spot are probably bacterial diseases.
In addition, tobacco, particularly during the curing process, is subject to pole-burn, pole-sweat, or house-burn, stem-rot, white-vein, and various forms of mould, all these being probably due to bacteria.
For additional information see:
U.S.Dept.of Agriculture. Farmers’ Bulletin, 120.
Howard, L.O. The principal insects affecting the tobacco plant. Washington, D. C. , 1900.
U.S.Dept.of Agriculture. Bureau of Entomology. Bulletin 65.
Speckled or spotted cigars
Many smokers of cigars have the idea that there is some special virtue in a cigar that shows specks or spots of discoloration in the leaf.As a matter of fact such spots have nothing whatever to do with the quality of the tobacco.The occurrence of such spots is accounted for differently.Some say the spots are due to certain bacteria which attack the leaf either when growing or fermenting and this most probably is the correct view.Others say that the spots are due to rain drops which, sprinkled on the leaves, act as lenses and concentrate the rays of the sun, thus causing a burning of the leaf in such spots. Some think the spots are caused by a worm. On account of the prejudice of smokers for speckled cigars dealers have been known to produce this appearance in the leaf artificially. There are different methods although resort is not often had at the present time to this practice as the belief in this sign is no longer as prevalent as formerly. The following are examples of such cigar speckling preparation, the chief ingredient being some active oxidizing agent:
Cigar speckling fluid:
(Method 1.)Powdered Ammonium Carbonate and a concentrated solution of (H2O2).
Dissolve one part of the Ammonium Carbonate in 25 parts of the (H2O2).Touch the cigar with this in spots with the end of a pointed stick.This gives the appearance of speckled Sumatran leaf.
(Method 2.)The following method is said to be used by a large firm:
Sodium Carbonate—3 parts.
Chlorinated Lime—1 part.
Hot Water—8 parts.
Dissolve the washing soda in the hot water, add the chlorinated lime, and heat to the boiling point. When cool decant and cork tightly. This is sprinkled over the tobacco. —From American Druggist, Vol.83, p.328.
Specks are sometimes caused by fluids used to destroy insects which attack the cigar after manufacture.
Tobacco flavoring essences
In the chapter treating of the manufacture of smoking and chewing tobacco it was stated that the tobacco leaf was often treated by certain flavoring essences.The following are quoted as examples of such essences:
Cascarilla Bark—1 ounce.
Fluid Extract Valerian—1 ounce.
Tonka Bean—2 drams.
English Rum—3 ounces.
—From Pharmaceutical Era, V.21, 1899, p.252.
The following essences are said to be used in France and Germany:
(1) For every 1,000 kilos.of tobacco take 4 kilos.of purified potash; 5 kilos.table salt; 10 kilos.canella water; 10 kilos.rose water; 5 kilos.melilotte water; 2.8 grams tonka bean; pulverized.Color the whole with 4 grams English red.Add when the tobacco is cut up.
(2) 12 kilos.soda; 4 kilos.salts of tartar; 10 kilos.canella water; 10 kilos.rose water; 5 kilos. melilotte water; 2.8 grams tonka bean; 4 kilos. simple syrup; 5 kilos. French brandy; 6 kilos. red sandal wood. —From Pharmaceutical Era, V.24, p.67.
Cigar Flavors
Although the best cigars are made from the natural leaf and depend solely on its flavor and aroma, in the inferior article manufacturers sometimes resort to flavoring fluids.
The following examples of cigar flavoring fluid formulae are taken from the Pharmaceutical Era, V.24, p.455:
Formula 1.
Extr.Vanilla—½ gal.
Alcohol and Jamaica Rum,—each, ½ gal.
Tinct. Valerian—8 ounces.
Carraway Seed—2 ounces.
English Valerian Root—2 ounces.
Bitter Orange Peel—2 ounces.
Tonka Bean—4 drams.
Myrrh—16 ounces.
Formula 2.
Valerianic Acid—3 drams.
Acetic Ether—40 minims.
Butyric Ether—10 minims.
Alcohol—4 pints.
Formula 3.
Fluid Extr.Valerian—1 ounce.
Tinct. Tonka Bean—8 ounces.
Alcohol—enough to make 16 ounces.
Formula to improve the burning qualities of tobacco
2 lbs.of Saltpeter.
Half gallon of Alcohol (100% proof).
1 gallon Port Wine.
9 gallons Lukewarm Water.
Mix these ingredients thoroughly together, and add to every 100 lbs.weight of tobacco.
Overcoming desire for tobacco
(From The American Druggist, V.51, 1908.)
Kalometzer (Bulletin Medical, 1907) states that rinsing mouth with solution of silver nitrate (¼ of 1% strength) will overcome the desire.
Preventing injurious action of nicotine
A process for the treatment of tobacco leaves preventing in a way injurious action of nicotine and of acrid empyreumatic acid products, was devised some years ago by Professor Gerold of Halle.His process is thus described: He employs for 8 kilograms of tobacco leaves containing the usual percentage of nicotine a decoction prepared by boiling 15 grams of tannic acid with 1½ kilograms of water until the weight is reduced to one kilogram; then 30 grams of the essential oil of origanum vulgare are added, after which the decoction is immediately removed from the fire. Having stood for some minutes the mixture is filtered and allowed to cool to about 16° C. , when the preparation is ready to be spread over the previously weighed tobacco. When the absorption of this mixture by the tobacco leaves is completed, they are subjected to slight pressure and moderate heat, after which they are ready for the manufacture of the various tobacco products.
Tannic acid is a well-known antidote for nicotine poisoning, and it is claimed for Gerold’s process that while the undistilled nicotine is neutralized in its toxic qualities only by the tannic acid, that this does not influence at all its peculiar odor nor most of its other characteristics. —From the Pharmaceutical Era, July 27, 1899, p.144.
Havana cigars are generally better if smoked fresh; domestic cigars are better if allowed to age in the box several months before using.
Remember that the phosphorus or sulphur of a match may spoil the flavor of a fine cigar.Be careful when you are lighting it to use only the edge of the match flame.
If the total number of cigars smoked annually in the United States were placed end to end they would encircle the whole world more than twenty times.
INDEX
Air Curing of Leaf, 66
Amber, 162
American Production of Tobacco Other Than in U. S. , 35
Analysis of Tobacco, 55
Asia, Production of Tobacco in, 31
Bacterial Diseases, Effects of Tobacco on, 197
Blends of Tobacco, How Made, 78
Briar Root, 158
Cancer and Tobacco, 180
Chemical Constituents of Tobacco, 55
Chewing Tobaccos, 128
Cigar and Cigarette Holders, Value of, 191
Cigar Business in U. S. , 96
Cigar Flavors, 215
Cigar Leaf Tobacco Grown in U. S. , 119
Cigarette Paper, 139
Cigarette Smoking, Criticisms of, 140
Cigarettes, American, 138
Cigarettes, Kinds of, 134
Cigarettes, Nicotine in Smoke of, 187
Cigarettes, Statistics, 133
Cigarettes, Turkish, 135
Cigarettes, Turkish, Manufactured in the U. S. , 137
Cigars, Classification of, 104
Cigars, Composition of, 113
Cigars, Desirable Qualities of, 113
Cigars, Hand-made, 101
Cigars, History, 95
Cigars, Imported Kinds, in U. S. , 114
Cigars, Machine-made, 103
Cigars, Manufactured in U. S. , 117
Cigars, Speckles or Spots on, 212
Cigars, Statistics of Production and Consumption in U. S. , 96
Cigars, Various Terms Regarding, 107
Coloring Meerschaum Pipes, 169
Consumption of Tobacco in U. S. , 92
Cuban Cigar Leaf, 118
Cuban Tobacco, 35
Curing of Tobacco Leaf, 63
Digestive System and Use of Tobacco, 202
Diseases of Tobacco Leaf, 211
Disinfecting Action of Tobacco, 199
East Indian Tobacco, 38
Europe, Production of Tobacco, 32
Exportation of Tobacco from U. S. , 91
Eyes and Use of Tobacco, 189
Fermentation of Tobacco, Action of Microbes, 81
Fermentation of Tobacco, Chemistry, 80
Fermentation of Tobacco Leaf, 79
Flavoring Essences, 214
Flue Curing of Leaf, 65
Hand-made Cigars, 101
Havana Cigars, 115
Holders for Cigars and Cigarettes, Value of, 191
Infection, Value of Tobacco Smoking Against, 197
Insects Affecting Tobacco Leaf, 211
Life Insurance and Tobacco, 188
Machine-made Cigars, 103
Manufactured Products of Tobacco in U. S. , Statistics, 89
Meerschaum, 155
Microbes, Action in Fermentation of Tobacco, 81
Mind, Effects of Tobacco Smoking, 202
Mouthpiece of Pipes, Importance, 161
Nerves, Effect of Tobacco Smoking on, 202
Nicotine, 57
Nicotine, Amount in Tobacco Smoke, 183
Nicotine Contents of Tobaccos, 185
Nicotine Effects on Human System, 182
Open Fire Method of Curing Leaf, 65
Packing of Tobacco Leaf for Market, 69
Perique Tobacco, 50, 125
Philippine Cigars, 117
Pipe Smoking Tobaccos, Kinds of, 124
Pipe Smoking Tobacco, Qualities of, 123
Pipe Stem, Importance, 161
Pipes, Briar Root, Making of, 159
Pipes, Care of, 167
Pipes, History of, 151
Pipes, Importation of, Into U. S. , 166
Pipes, Materials Used in Making, 154
Pipes, Meerschaum, Coloring, 169
Pipes, Meerschaum, Making of, 156
Pipes, Special Kinds of, 164
Plug Tobacco for Chewing, 128
Potash, Importance in Tobacco, 59
Psychological Effects of Tobacco Smoking, 202
Rehandling of Tobacco Leaf, 77
Revenue Derived from Tobacco, 209
Shade Grown Tobacco, 25
Smoke, Tobacco, Nicotine in, 187
Snuff, Manufacture, Statistics and Kinds, 145
Soils, Influence on Quality of Tobacco, 22
Suchsland’s Experiments With Bacteria on Tobacco Leaf, 81
Sumatran Cigar Leaf, 118
Teeth and Tobacco, 201
Terms Used in Cigar Trade, 107
Throat Diseases Due to Use of Tobacco, 179
Tobacco, Analysis of Contents, 55
Tobacco, Botanical Information, 15
Tobacco, Burning Qualities of, 216
Tobacco, Culture, 21
Tobacco, Denicotianized, 216
Tobacco, Effects of on Body, 173
Tobacco, Exportation from U. S. , 91
Tobacco, Flavoring Essences, 214
Tobacco, Free Importation in Different Countries, 210
Tobacco, History, 13
Tobacco Leaf, Prices of, 71
Tobacco Manufacturing Industry, Capital, etc., 89
Tobacco Plant, Varieties, 16
Treatment of Leaf Before Manufacture, 82
Turkish Tobacco, 34
United States, Production of Tobacco, 41
Varieties, Botanical of, Tobacco Plant, 16
Varieties of American Grown Tobacco Leaf, 44, 46
Vulcanite, as Pipe Stem Material, 163
Warehouse System of Sale of Tobacco Leaf, 70
Water Pipes, 165
Yellowing of Tobacco Leaf, 27
Transcriber’s Note:
Other than the corrections noted by hover information, spelling inconsistencies have been retained from the original.