TOBACCO. 697 
druggists. For administering in milk, with a similar object in 
view, the old Irish method is to put an ounce of the dried leaves, 
or a corresponding quantity of the same whilst fresh, into a pint 
of new milk, boiling it then for ten minutes, and afterwards 
straining. This medicament is given warm to the patient twice 
a day, with, or without sugar. The taste of the decoction is 
bland, mucilaginous, and cordial. The herb grows freely in 
England on dry banks, and waste places, having a thick stalk, 
from eighteen inches to four feet high, with large woolly leaves, 
and a long flower-spike, bearing yellow flowers, which are nearly 
sessile on the stem. Another common name of the plant is 
Hedge-taper, or formerly, Torch, because the stalks were dipped 
in suet, and burnt for giving light at funerals, and other gather- 
ings. Again, other popular titles of the Mullein are “ Adam’s 
Flannel,” ‘“ Jupiter’s Staff,” “ Velvet Dock,” ‘‘ Cuddie’s Lungs,” 
and “ Hare’s beard” (in allusion to the dense, woolly hairs on 
both sides of the leaves). Mullein oil is a most valuable destroyer 
of disease germs, also of admirable service against some forms 
of deafness, by simply instilling a few drops into the affected ear 
twice a day. 
The best known, and most potent poison to be smoked is 
Opium, which produces beautiful dreams at the onset, but 
leaves a severe headache, and thirst; its seductive effects 
become by repetition fearfully disastrous to mind, and body. 
Indians smoke wood-shavings saturated with a strong solution 
of pepper; also the leaves of the tomato, and the potato 
plants are pressed into their smoking service. In Jamaica 
the “ganjah” a kind of Indian hemp, is used for the 
Same purpose. The Swedes smoke mountain Tobacco found 
growing in the Alps. The American Indians prepare dried 
holly leaves, willow bark, and sumach for their pipes. “ Indian 
_ Tobacco,” so called, is lobelia leaf, and is poisonous. The 
Bahamans adopt cascarilla bark, with unfortunate effect upon 
health, and mind; whilst the natives of Central America are 
inveterate users of Pimento (Allspice) Tobacco, which often 
causes cancer of the tongue. South African natives become 
curiously affected by smoking dried leaves of the Camphor plant, 
Which presently bring on a state of trembling drivel, with causeless 
fright, weeping, and incoherent babbling. South Americans 
take resort to stramonium (thorn-apple) leaves, which lead on 
to convulsions, and death. 
