THE EFFECT OF SMOKING ON BOYS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 1123, 9 November 1883, Page 4

THE EFFECT OF SMOKING ON BOYS.

e T) r Cl Decaisne has submitted to the Society ut t'nblic Medi ino the results of sour* intr rest iug observations concerning the effects duo to the use of tobacco amntiff boys. Thirty-eight youths were placed in his charge, -whose ages va ied from nine to fifteen, and who w. re in the hj (bit. of smoking, t -ougl, ihe abuse ot loba**eo varied in each case. The eft' v.s, of course, also varied, oit were very emphatic with twent\ seven out of the tliiriy-seven boss. V'- ihj twenty-'wo jmtients there was a oistinct ilisiurhanee of the circulation, bruit at the carotids, palpitation of the heart deficiencies ot di- ■ esiion, sluggishness cf the intellect, H'lda craving, move or less pronounced, b-r alcoholic stimulants In thirteen i -tnncis there was an intermittent p.u-e. Analysis of the bh o l showed in eight cases a notably Tilling off in the norma! number ot red corpuscles. Twelve boys suffered fiequ ntly from bleeding of the i ose. Pen complained < f agitated sleep and constant nghtmare. Four boys had ulcera-e* mouths, and one of the children b-. cme the victim of pulmonary pythisis, a fact which Dr Decaisne, atuitmted to the great deterior ttion of the blood produced by prolonged and excessive use of tobacco, Treatment with iron and oniniue give no satisfactory result, aim it se-nns tolerably evident that the most elleei ive, it not the only cure, is tn ai oiiec forswear the habit, wldch fo children in any case is undoubtedlv pooieious. -Lancet.