p. 8 | NERVE DESTRUCTION by T.

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Aug 28, 1901

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 27, No. 35.

NERVE DESTRUCTION.

By T.

Over twelve billion cigars are used in the world each year. This does not take into account the tobacco used in pipes or smoked in cigarettes.

Some of the most eminent physicians of the world say that it has been demonstrated that tobacco is a greater nerve-destroyer than strong drink. And it is quite largely true that the man who uses tobacco also uses wine or liquor of some kind.

In view of the vast amount of these nerve-destroying things that are being used, is it to be wondered at that so many men are dropping dead in the very prime of life? The strain in business is tremendous, and it is growing in intensity as greed gets a stronger and still stronger hold on men, and what may not be expected in the way of nervous breakdowns? The nerve-force is being taxed to the utmost in business, and while these straining demands are made on the nerves, they are being recklessly destroyed by narcotics and stimulants.

There is also another phase of the situation that should not be overlooked. This strong, nervous tension, with these nerve-irritants and nerve-destroyers being used so freely, makes the people very excitable. And with the great social and international problems that confront the world, it is easy to see that in the attempt to settle them there will be much room for strife that will end in the worst of violence.

When a strike is on, the saloons and tobacco stores are open, and men who have not been in the habit of drinking very much will indulge freely. Thus is the fire of strong drink added to the flame that is already burning high. These forces that are working so strongly are bound to produce correspondingly strong results. The conclusion is as inevitable as the effect that invariably follows the cause. To close our eyes to these things is to invite an irresistible and inevitable destruction. T.