The writer gave up smoking tobacco about a year ago because of the bad effects the habit seemed to have on his heart and eyes. He has since read a good deal on the subject, pro and con, but found the existing literature quite unsatisfactory. There is a tremendous need of scientifically ascertained facts. Scarcely any definite experimental data are available. We hail with all the more pleasure a volume entitled "The Physical Effects of Smoking. Preliminary Experimental Studies," By George J. Fisher, M.D., and Elmer Berry, B.S. (New York: Association Press; 1917), which gives the result of four experiments made under strictly scientific conditions and in a careful and unbiased spirit. Two of these experiments were conducted by moderate smokers-one of whom has since given up the habit because of the results secured-and two by non-smokers. All of them were normal, healthy, athletic fellows, between the ages of 21 and 25, who for the most part expected no results, were as far as possible kept in ignorance of the progress of the experiment, and were decidedly surprised at its final results. These results are arranged in chronological order, with full tabulated records, and a final summary. The conclusions may be briefly stated as follows: "Smoking raises the heart rate and blood pressure, markedly delays the return of the heart rate to normal after exercise, and impairs the neuro-muscular control" as indicated by delicate finger exercises and gross muscular co-ordinations.