Life — November 18, 1897 — page 24: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

Science vs, Prejudice. Hive you ever been at sea and noticed the fog fly before a freshening breeze? And how,finally, the clouds scurry, and where before was only darkness and obscurity there remains a vista of clear water, blue sky and bright sunshine ? Some- thing like this happens when science brings its powers to bear against the mist of prejudice and false theory. Science is not science unless it is exact and can demonstrate its truth by infallible logic. One of its highest attributes is its ability to dissipate superstition. A beautiful example of the power of scientific truth over popular igno- rance is recorded in a recent press despatch from Chicago. There has been in that city an outcry against the dangerous impurities to be fcund in cigarettes. This resulted in the adoption of a city ordinance directing the Commissioner of Health to in- spect and examine the cigarettes on sale in Chicago, and determine their purity or impurity by chemical analy- sis. Acting under this authority, City Chemist Cass L, Kennicott and Assistant City Chemist D. B. Bisbee made exhaustive analyses of fourteen brands, and their report is now on file with the Commissioner of Health and open for the inspection of the public. The result was startling! That is to say, it was startling to the calam- ity howlers who talk without knowl- edge, Every cigarette smoker will be glad to know that the investiga- tion showed that in these cigarettes— taken at random from all those found on sale in Chicago—there was found not one particle of impurity or adul- teration. The trouble was that the people who secured the adoption of the ordinance were animated only by theory. They believed cigarettes were impure because some one told them so. What happened when the fine accuracy of chemical analysis came up against their vague guess- work? What always happens when scientific truth opposes popular ig- norance? The truth prevails. ‘LIFE: It was also a victory for American manufacturers, for it showed that the American tobacco used in these cigarettes is not only free from adul- teration but is also milder than to- bacco in other forms, z.e., it contains asmaller percentage of nicotine. The tests also exploded the other common delusion that the paper used in cigar- ettes contains poisonous substances, It was shown on the other hand that from the conditions of its use cigar- ette paper is the purest made. It has to be, or it would not be strong enough and would not burn freely. The cigarette-smoker has long been the victim of every critic who had the assumption to make a statement about the impurity of cigarettes. This official analysis puts the scientific argument on the side of the smoker. “GOD KNOWS I'M NOT THE T SHOULD BE, BUT 1 HAVE A MAT, ANYHOW." Copyright 107 by posers i Poeraerer. oer 8 ts prepared in the largest leather factory in the world by the makers of Vic Kia—the most noted leather in the world. It gives a hoe a bright and lasting lustre, makes It soft 1d pliable, Keeps it from cracking In wet, and dry weather, The constant ose of Viel Dressing means a raving in shoe leather which the student of economy can't over. look, Ask the dealer for it, An illustrated book, telling bow to care for shoes and ine crease their wear, mailed free, ROBERT I, FOERDERER, Philadelphia, Pa, has for its founda- f ‘ . L tion perfect fitting under- garments, YPSILANTI! HEALTH UND@OWEAR are shaped to fit—' comfortable, health- ful. Hay & Todd Mfg. Co., YPSILANTI, MICH. “Never rip and never teur, ‘Ypsitants Underwear.” CLOTHING... MENRY KEEN, Tailor. 114 High Holborn, London, W.C. “HOTEL VENDOME—BOSTON Accessible location, excellent table, prompt service, Established 1844, \