Cautions to young persons concerning health, in a public lecture delivered ... in the chapel at Cambridge, November 20, 1804, containing the general doctrine of dyspepsia and chronic diseases; shewing the evil tendency of the use of tobacco upon young persons, more especially the pernicious effects of smoking cigars. With observations on the use of ardent and vinous spirits / [Benjamin Waterhouse].

  • Benjamin Waterhouse
Date:
1822
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Cautions to young persons concerning health, in a public lecture delivered ... in the chapel at Cambridge, November 20, 1804, containing the general doctrine of dyspepsia and chronic diseases; shewing the evil tendency of the use of tobacco upon young persons, more especially the pernicious effects of smoking cigars. With observations on the use of ardent and vinous spirits / [Benjamin Waterhouse]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    to another, while the succeeding one makes no new impression on the surface of obstinate customs, or irrational habits. I wish some of our young gentlemen could be made to reflect how inconsonant the use of tobacco is with a refined society. The young man, whose breath is contaminated with this disgusting weed, is unfit for the ball-room, the concert, or any such social circles. The smoker is bad enough, but the chewer is more disgusting; and no one gives himself up to it without suffering in the esteem of the ladies. Because the habit has blunted his own sensibilities, he is incapable of judging of the sensibility of others. This is not all. Is he not destroying those sensibilities, which a beneficent Creator had bestowed on him for his safety and enjoyment? The savages have a correct idea of the power and use of tobacco. It is their narcotic, or dry dram. They get drunk with it, and so stupi- fy their senses after the fatigues of the chase and a gluttonous meal. At other times they use it to allay the torments of hunger, when they have not the means of satisfying it; as often happens in their vagrant life. I have no very great objection to granting your request; but I had no intention of submitting my former letter to the public eye; nor do I now suppose that my approbation of your doctrine would add a grain to the weight of your influence. If there be in this, or in that, any idea worthy your notice, it will be received as coming from you with more attention than from Your friend and humble servant. Ja. Sullivan. To Dr. B. Waterhouse, Professor of Theory and Practice of Physic in the University in Cambridge. These instances are striking and decisive of the pernicious effects of tobacco, in four distinguished public characters, in the form of smoking—chewing,—and snuffing. m
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