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.[A]

[A] Extracts in point might here be given from numerous letters received
by the Author, since the publication of the first edition; but it is
unnecessary.

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, should not be used, even _medicinally_, except in extreme
cases, and then in the hands of a skillful physician. For every man--and
especially for every boy, who has hardly entered his teens--to take this
poison into his own hands, and determine for himself how much he will
use, is as preposterous, as if he were to take upon himself to deal out
arsenic, corrosive sublimate, or calomel.

No man can devote himself to the pipe, the quid, or the snuff-box,
without certain injury to his health and constitution. He may not
perceive the injury at once, on account of immediate exhilaration; but
complicated chronic complaints will creep upon him apace, making life a
burden, and issuing in premature dissolution. And just so certain as it
is our duty to do no murder,--to use all lawful means to preserve our
lives, and the lives of others; as certain is it our duty and our
privilege to practice _entire abstinence_ from the use of tobacco.

I maintain the position I have laid down,

III. From the consideration of the ruinous effects of tobacco upon the
_intellect_.

Here, again, let Professor Hitchcock speak. Says he, "Intoxicating
drinks, opium and tobacco, exert a pernicious influence upon the
intellect. They tend directly to debilitate the organs; and we cannot
take a more effectual course to cloud the understanding, weaken the
memory, unfix the attention, and confu