Chapter XII: Part THREE: Physical Effect

Tobacco in any form is a deadly poison, deteriorating the bodily forces, deading to the finer sensibilities, and destructive to the finer mental and moral preceptions. But above every other evil, the effects of the Cigarette upon children and youth is the most deadly.

_Testimony of Athletes and Athletic Directors_

“The Cigarette is more harmful than whisky.”--_Joseph H. Thompson,
Coach of the Foot-Ball and Track Team of the University of Pittsburg._

“I believe that the Cigarette is the one thing that is keeping
many young men from developing the best that is in them, not only
physically, but mentally and morally.”--_E. E. Bliss, Physical
Director, Oakland, Calif., Y. M. C. A._

“A man’s training is given to increase his endurance; so he must
leave tobacco alone; for all trainers know that the use of it will
effect the use of the heart’s action.”--_C. H. Price, Y. M. C. A.
Physical Director, Los Angeles, Calif._

“Whenever it is desired to secure the highest possible working
ability by the organism, as in athletic contests, where the maximum
of effort is demanded, all motor-depressant influences are removed
as far as possible, _tobacco_ being _one of the first substances
forbidden_.”--_Jay W. Seaver, A. M., M. D., Medical Examiner of the
Yale University Gymnasium._

_Tobacco Dwarfs_

The average American boy wants to become an athlete. He should know that _tobacco will stunt the growth_,--a fact that is proved by medical men and educators who have given careful attention to the subject. Here are a few statements on this point:--

“There is nothing that so stunts the growth of boys and young men, of
the present day, as the use of tobacco.”--_Physical Director, Denver
Y. M. C. A._

“Personally, I have examined over fourteen thousand young men, and
from general observation I can say that smoking has had its effect
most particularly on the nervous system of the growing lad, as well
as hindering his physical development.”--_A. G. Studer, Acting
General Secretary, Detroit Y. M. C. A._

“We have carried on a series of observations relative to smokers.
We find that smoking is _injurious_ to _growing boys_ and youth;
that the smoker does not attain and hold as high a stand in the
university as the non-smoker does. His _physical development_ is _not
so good_, and his _lung capacity_ is usually lower than that of the
non-smoker. I have no hesitation in saying that I consider the use of
nicotin harmful for a growing youth.”--_W. G. Anderson, M. A., M. D.,
Director of Yale University Gymnasium._

“Unquestionably the most important matter in the health history of
the students at this academy is that relating to the use of tobacco.
I have urged upon the superintendent, as my last official utterance,
the fact of the truth of which five years’ experience as a health
officer of the station has satisfied me, that beyond all other
things, the future health and usefulness of the lads educated at this
school, require the absolute interdiction of tobacco. In this opinion
I have been sustained not only by all of my colleagues, but by all
other sanitarians in civil and military life whose views I have been
able to learn.”--_Report of Dr. Albert L. Gihon, Senior Medical
Officer of the Naval Academy at Annapolis, Md._

“Tobacco is ruinous in our schools and colleges, dwarfing _body and
mind_.”--_Dr. Willard Parker._

“I shall not hesitate to pronounce tobacco in young men to be
evil, and only evil, physically, mentally, and morally.”--_Edward
Hitchcock, of Amherst College._

“In recent years there has been a decided increase in the number
of sudden deaths from heart failure. There is no doubt that this
increase is partially due to the free use of tobacco. _Nicotin
strikes a direct blow at the heart._ It _weakens the heart’s action_,
and in time brings about degenerative changes in its structure
and also in the walls of the blood vessels. The hypertension and
arteriosclerosis indicative of degenerative changes, are usually
found among users of tobacco.”--_Dr. Kress._

TOBACCO AND THE CIGARETTE