DE-NICOTINED TOBACCO.

New Zealand Illustrated Sporting & Dramatic Review, Volume IX, Issue 663, 23 October 1902, Page 20

DE-NICOTINED TOBACCO.

A German chemist, Herr Gerold, has discovered a means of preventing the ill-effects which sometimes arise from the excessive use of tobacco, which is liable to produce attacks of vertigo, a particular form of dyspepsia, palpitation, and diseases of the , chest. His procedure consists in steeping the leaves of tobacco, before being made up, in a ' solution of tannic acid, which com- - bines with the nicotine and forms a substance quite inactive and harmless. In order to increase the flavour of the tobacco it. is then treated with a decoction of marjoram. The flavour of the tobacco prepared as above described differs in no way from that of ordinary tobacco ; and experiments made with it on weasels, frogs, and even beings, have demonstrated that its use produces no toxic effects on the organism. The pressure of the blood remains normal, the heart beats regularly, and the paralysis which overtakes animals who have been poisoned with nicotine is entirely obviated. Our contemporary adds that all smokers will hail with satisfaction the discovery of Herr Gerold. We fear that, as a smoker, we can scarcely agree with this optimistic statement. Supposing that Herr Gerold succeeds in removing all the nicotine, what is left ? We/ doubt that the vast proportion of tobacco smokers suffer from consequent dyspepsia, palpitation, and diseases of the chest, and believe that they will prefer the use of tobacco than to adopt Herr Ger old’s substitute If, on the other' hand, a smoker does suffer as our contemporary suggests, he had better refrain from the “ noxious weed ” altogether.—“ Medical Press.”