Diseases of Smokers
January 21, 1905
Summary
Scientists investigate the negative health effects associated with smoking tobacco.
Transcription
Smoking to excess leads to some of the most serious diseases to which the eyes are subject. One of the mildest of these has color blindness as a result, and it may be traced to the fact that those suffering from it gradually cease to recognize varying tints, until they can make out blue only. At last, if the disease is unchecked, they lose perception of that color also.
Tobacco “amblyopia” is a further development of the same trouble, in which the sufferer ceases to distinguish form, as well as color, and excessive smokers of heavy black twist are peculiarly susceptible to this. Sailors smoke such twist largely, and its use has even been held to account for collisions at sea, because the lookout men were under its influence. Persistence in this habit may lead to total blindness.
Tobacco “amblyopia” is a further development of the same trouble, in which the sufferer ceases to distinguish form, as well as color, and excessive smokers of heavy black twist are peculiarly susceptible to this. Sailors smoke such twist largely, and its use has even been held to account for collisions at sea, because the lookout men were under its influence. Persistence in this habit may lead to total blindness.
About this article
Source
Location on Page
Lower Left Quadrant
Topic
Contributed By
Ryan Shah
Citation
“Diseases of Smokers,” Black Virginia: The Richmond Planet, 1894-1909, accessed September 14, 2026, https://blackvirginia.richmond.edu/items/show/196.