Sir Benjamin Brodie, Bart., F.R.S., on tobacco.

  • Brodie, Benjamin, Sir, 1783-1862.
Date:
[Between 1880 and 1889?]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Sir Benjamin Brodie, Bart., F.R.S., on tobacco. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    SIR BENJAMIN BRODIE, Bart, F.R.S., ON TOBACCO. (From the “Lancet.”) The empyreumatic oil of tobacco is produced oy distillation of that herb at a temperature above that of boiling water. One or two drops of this oil (according to the size of the animal) placed on the tongue will kill a cat in the course of a few minutes. A. certain quantity of the oil must be always circulating in the blood of an habitual smoker, and we cannot suppose that the effects of it on the system can be merely negative. The effects of this habit are, indeed, various, the difference depending on difference of constitution, and difference in the mode of life otherwise. But, from the best observations which I hare been able to make on the subject, I am led to believe that there are very few who do not suffer harm from it, to a greater or less extent. The earliest symptoms are manifested in the derangement of the nervous system. A. large proportion of habitual smokers are ren¬ dered lazy and listless, indisposed to bodily, and incapable of much mental exertion. Others suffer from depression of spirits, amount¬ ing to hypochondriasis, which smoking relieves for a time, though it aggravates the evil afterwards. Occasionally there is a general nervous t .suitability, which, though very inucn less in degree.