Page:The Anatomy of Tobacco.pdf/107

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The Anatomy of Tobacco

And it is alleged by many that one who smokes in total darkness knows not even whether his pipe is in or out, and will often continue inhaling contentedly his own breath, his pipe containing nought but burnt-out ashes. But if this doctrine were true then it follows that to view others smoking would be an equal pleasure to smoking oneself, which if it were so smoking would shortly become a thing of the past (since who would be at the expense to buy tobacco when he could have the same pleasure by merely watching another smoking?) Also, if tobacco produces no physical sensations, any one of the weakest stomach would be free to smoke the strongest tobacco by the hour, provided only that he either bandaged his eyes or smoked in darkness. And this being granted as possible (argumenti causâ) leads us necessarily to the conclusion that the sensation of nausea, which undoubtedly does sometimes result from the use of tobacco, is caused alone by the disturbance to the eye, caused by viewing the clouds of smoke in the air. Further-

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