TOBACCO SMOKING.

Temuka Leader, Issue 249, 1 April 1880, Page 2

TOBACCO SMOKING.

Tobacco smoking, as the returns of tha inland revenue conclusively prove, is greatly on the increase. The annual consumption of tobacco in the United Kingdom is now at about the rate of 2ft>. Boz. for every inhabitant of these islands. Eight years ago it was only lib Boz. If allowance 18 made for the women and children—though among the former the smoking is undoubtedly on the increase—something like nn ounce of tobacco a week wmld be the aveiago amount to be allotted to the male popu lation of Great Britain and Ireland. These figures, of course, convey a Tery inadequate idea ot the real facts of the case. If a census of smokers were taken, it would probably be found to include the majority of Englishmen above the age of 16. But there u nothing like uniformity as to the degree in which they smoke. Haifa dozen whiffs ot a cigarette after dinr-er are enough for some ; others think nothing of half a dozen cigars in an evening, whilst at least as many pipes have been taken in the earlier part of the day. Though tobacco is not always included in the same category of condemnation ae t alcohol, we are frequently given to understand that we should be better if we were never to resort to it in any form, that it is probably responsible for a good deal of .. mysterious blood poisoning, and that it is very likely to prove the of hereditary heart di-ease. The pate Professor Parkes, however, in a letter r«centlv published in the Lancet, says * ' — " I " have honestly tried t<ufipHecfc ,: evidence from moderate smokeis, Both medical men and others, and I have never be?n able to make out any symp- ; toms which implied injury." This con- 'J elusion is supported by the test mony of. ■ j other doctors, and it is not improbable | that the more wiiely Professor Parkes' |, inquiry wag extended the" mora would this view be establish*!. ':£&.