d your letter of the
4th inst. With pleasure I hasten to answer your inquiries with regard
to my experience in the use of tobacco.

"In the autumn of 1817, I commenced (I know not why) the use of
tobacco. It was not until the spring of 1825, that I experienced
any ill effects from it, except now and then, heart-burn, acid
eructations, and occasional fits of melancholy. At that time I
became dyspeptic. My food gave me much uneasiness; I had a sinking
sensation at the pit of the stomach, wandering pains about the
limbs, especially by night, disturbed sleep, loss of appetite,
great difficulty of breathing from slight exercise, debility,
emaciation, depression of spirits. Such have been my symptoms and
feelings the last seven years; and in that time I have had two
attacks of haemoptysis, [spitting of blood,] which I attribute
solely to the relaxing effects of this narcotic.

"The various remedies for dyspepsia were all tried in my case
without the least benefit. About the first of December last, I
gave up the use of tobacco, and to my astonishment, within the
first twenty-four hours, my appetite returned; food gave no
uneasiness and strength returned. I have been generally gaining
flesh, so that now my weight is greater than it ever was except
once.

"I never was in the habit of using more than half an ounce of
tobacco a day. This would be but a moderate allowance for most
persons, who use the cud. I never was a smoker; my use of it was
wholly confined to chewing.

"A gentleman called a few weeks ago to consult me. His countenance
was pallid and ghastly. He said that he had no appetite, was
extremely debilitated, had palpitation of the heart, and copious
perspiration on slight exercise, wakefulness by night, and was
gloomy. Sir, said I, do you use tobacco? 'I do.' How much on an
average daily? 'One fig.' I told him he must renounce its use,
which he promised to do. He took no medicine. I saw him again in
ten days. He said he was well and was _fully_ satisfied that his
complaints were owing to the use of tobacco.

"A friend of mine in this town, who has made a constant use of
tobacco, by chewing for more than _thirty_ years of his life, was
prevailed upon, a few months ago to lay it aside, in consequence
of having constant vertigo, [dizziness]; he is now well, and all