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The Ministry of Health and Healing
gone, the unnatural force abates, and the result is a corresponding
degree of weakness and listlessness.
The continued use of these nerve irritants is followed by
headache, wakefulness, palpitation of the heart, indigestion, trem-
bling, and many other evils, for they wear away the life forces. Tired
nerves need rest and quiet instead of stimulation and overwork. Na-
ture needs time to recuperate her exhausted energies. When her
forces are goaded on by the use of stimulants, more will be ac-
complished for a time, but, as the system becomes debilitated by
their constant use, it gradually becomes more difficult to rouse the
energies to the desired point. The demand for stimulants becomes
more difficult to control, until the will is overborne and there seems
to be no power to deny the unnatural craving. Stronger and still
stronger stimulants are called for, until exhausted nature can no
longer respond.
The Tobacco Habit
Tobacco is a slow, insidious, but most malignant poison. In
whatever form it is used, it affects one’s constitution adversely. It is
all the more dangerous because its effects are slow and at first hardly
perceptible. It excites and then paralyzes the nerves. It weakens
and clouds the brain. Often it affects the nerves in a more powerful
manner than does intoxicating drink. It is more subtle, and its effects
are difficult to eradicate from the system. Its use excites a thirst for
strong drink and in many cases lays the foundation for the liquor
habit.
The use of tobacco is inconvenient, expensive, uncleanly, defiling
to the user, and offensive to others. Its devotees are encountered
everywhere. You rarely pass through a crowd but some smoker puffs
his poisoned breath in your face. It is unpleasant and unhealthful
to remain in a railway car or in a room where the atmosphere is
laden with the fumes of liquor and tobacco. Though people persist
in using these poisons themselves, what right have they to defile the
air that others must breathe
Many countries have now passed laws that forbid smoking in public buildings,
railway cars, buses, and airplanes.—Publisher
.
