Extracts and recollections of two lectures on the evil effects arising from the use of tobacco in its various forms, given in the Manchester Mechanics' Institution ... / Collected and arranged by Andrew Hamilton.
- Charles Clay
- Date:
- 1842
Licence: Public Domain Mark
Credit: Extracts and recollections of two lectures on the evil effects arising from the use of tobacco in its various forms, given in the Manchester Mechanics' Institution ... / Collected and arranged by Andrew Hamilton. Source: Wellcome Collection.
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![teration, were of a harmless character; but this ia far from being the case. In many instances, the additional object is equally poisonous with the original herb, and in some even more so. The only object in view is to substitute a cheaper article ; increasing its weight, and, by procuring a certain flavour, increase the general consumption. In order to shew you how little respect is paid to the constitution of the smoker or chewer of tobacco, I will mention a few of the articles used in the adulteration. I have already mentioned, that, in a pamphlet pub¬ lished bv the King of Denmark, he states, that the excrements and urine of bog-houses were in common use by the merchants for the purpose of securing the particular flavour in request. Only fancy to yourselves such a filthy addition to a herb that has to be inhaled, or its juices sucked, into the mouth of any human being. This alone would make any sensible reflecting person disgusted with the bare idea, and assuredly he would pause before he attempted to consume such a compound. The bark of the Cascarilla is added, not only for its flavour, but to increase its weight, —being a cheaper substitute, this is however, a harmless addition. Com¬ mon smokers like a very lively tobacco,—that is, one that burns well ; and, for this purpose salt petre is added, which gives it the same qualities as a piece of touch-paper, used by boys to start fireworks—it also adds to its weight considerably ; for the latter object, common salt is used exten¬ sively, and, when the tobacco is chewed, the salt excites thirst, to be quenched by an additional supply, or some highly stimulating drink, common drinks not effecting the object required. Urine and Sal Ammoniac are added to make the mass more pungent and acrimonious. Black Helle¬ bore, Alum, Corrosive Sublimate, (two of which are deadly poisons,) are often used for establishing a taste desired by some consumers. The quantity is increased by large additions of the common Dock, and also Lettuce leaves ; sometimes preparations of Copper, Lead, and Antimony, (the two former very poisonous,) are often detected by chemical analysis. These and many other substances are added according to the judgment of manufacturers, who keep their processes as secret as their being under the excise laws will permit, all of which are used to gratify the tastes of indivi¬ duals who require something to heighten the common flavour of the herb.* We will now turn our attention to the effects of tobacco on man and other animals, my object being to prove it a deadly poison, and, therefore, highly pernicious to the consumer, contracting not only habits the most revolting to society, but attended with serious consequences, by the inroad it makes into the constitution of man—destroying his body for a very fleeting and short-lived enjoyment. That the properties of tobacco are highly poisonous is now placed * Interesting to Tobacco Consumkks.—A bill is now before parliament containing the following clause :—“ And be it enacted, that no manufacturer of tobacco shall receive, or take into, or have in his custody or possession any sugar, treacle, molasses, or honey, (except for the necessary and ordinary use of his family, the proof whereof shall lie on such manufacturer,) nor shall any manufacturer of, dealer in, or retailer of tobacco, receive, or take into, or have in his custody or possession, any commings or roots of malt, or any ground or uriground roasted grain, ground or unground chicory, lime, sand, [not being tobacco sand,] umber, ochre, or other earths, sea-weed, ground wood, peat or other moss, or any leaves, or any herbs or plants, [ not being tobacco leaves or plants,] or any syrup, liquid, substance, material, matter, or thing, to be used or capable of being used as a substitute ior, or to increase the weight of tobacco or snuff’, on pain of forfeiting the same, and £200. ’ Are we to infer, from this prohibition, that tobacco' chewers are occasionally indulged with a mouthful of lime! sand! umber! ochre! peat! and sea-weed ?](https://iiif.wellcomecollection.org/image/b30355205_0016.jp2/full/800%2C/0/default.jpg)
