Results of Experiments on the Physiological action of Tobacco

Abstract

Progress of the Medical Sciences. [Jan. worthy especial notice, however, because it gives great alarm, ancl maybe readily mistaken for pulmonary haemoptysis, or an expectoration of blood. The action of tobacco-smoking on the heart, so far as I have observed, is de¬ pressing. The individual who, from some peculiarity of constitution, feels it in this organ rather than elsewhere, usually complains of a peculiar uneasy sensation about the left nipple-a distressing feeling-not amounting to faintness, but allied to it. In such an example no morbid sound can be detected, but the action of the heart is observed to be feeble, and slightly irregular in rhythm; yet not always so in the same person. An uneasy feeling is also experienced in or beneath the pectoral muscles, but oftener, I think, on the right side than on the left. On the brain the action of tobacco-smoking is sedative. It appears to diminish the rapidity of cerebral action and check the flow of ideas through the mind. This, I think, is a certain result; and it is in consequence of this action that smoking is so habitual with studious men, or men of contemplative minds. The phrases, ;I a quiet pipe," or a " comfortable cigar," are significant of this sedative action. It differs, however, in kind from that of opium or henbane, because, as a general rule, tobacco does not dispose to sleep: it may in individual instances, but not generally, with tobacco-smokers. On the contrary, it rather excites to watchful¬ ness, and in this respect is allied to green tea in its action; or, if not to wakeful¬ ness, to dreams, which leave no impression on the memory. When this effect has passed off there appears to be a greater susceptibility in the nervous centres to impressions, as indicated by trembling of the hands, and irritability of temper. There are a few facts which I would now state generally, and which appear as secondary results of smoking. Constipation and hemorrhoids are often experienced by inveterate smokers. Acne of the face I have observed to be excited and kept up by the habit, and to disappear with the discontinuance of the latter. Blackness of the teeth and gumboils are not uncommon results. There is also a sallow paleness of the complexion, an irresoluteness of disposition, a want of life and energy, to be observed occasionally in inveterate smokers, who are content with smoking,-that is to say, who do not drink. I have suspected also that it has induced pulmonary phthisis. It is thought that the sexual energy is impaired by the habit, but on this point I have no facts to detail.

Nicotine, Cigarette Smoking, and Body Weight

“…Corroborative evidence for the smoking/body weight inverse relationship may be found in animal studies [27][28][29][30]. In addition, animal studies indicate that administration of nicotine alone results in decreased body weight [31][32][33].…”