128-6 
anemic condition of the blood; spasmodic contractions or jactation of single 
muscles; sensations of exhaustion and especially lassitude; sleepiness; profuse 
perspiration, and sensitiveness to cold. | 
It would seem to be a fact, that in habitual users of this or any other toxic 
drug, the drug acts more or less as its own antidote, for immediately upon discon- 
tinuance of its use the preponderance of its symptoms arise. 
The effects of tobacco or its alkaloid nicotia in toxic quantities, when taken 
into the stomach, injected into the rectum, or applied to a denuded surface are: 
Ante-mortem.—Faintness, vertigo and trembling, with extreme nausea, torpor, © 
stertorous breathing, weak irregular pulse, relaxation of the muscles, and vomiting ; 
followed by severe spasms or paralysis, advancing coldness of the extremities, 
collapse with cold sweat, and death. 
Post-mortem.—Excessive cadaveric rigidity, a general contraction and con- 
gestion of all hollow organs; the heart, stomach, intestines, kidneys and bladder ; 
a congestion of the cerebellum, liver, portal and mesenteric veins, and mucous 
membranes either as a whole or only in patches. The blood is found everywhere 
very dark and liquid. 
On Animals.—Johnston states* that the Hottentots are said to kill snakes by 
placing a drop of the empyreumatic oil of tobacco upon their tongues. Death 
follows instantly as by an electric shock, or a dose of hydrocyanic acid. The 
action of nicotia upon small species seems to be in general almost as instantane- 
ous as above; especially upon the carnivora, where its action seems more 
intense, 
Tobacco, then, from the foregoing facts, acts as a severe irritant to the gan- 
glionic centers, producing thence an action at first paralytic, then spasmodic, affect- 
ing the sympathetic, motor and vaso-motor systems. 
DESCRIPTION OF PLATE 128. > 
t. Whole plant, eight times reduced, from a cultivated specimen. Chemung, N. Y., Sept. 11, 1879. 
2. Flower. 
3. Fruit. 
4. Seed (somewhat enlarged). 
5. Section of fruit. 
* Chem. of Com. Life, Vol, II., p. 28. 
e 
