123 NAT. ORDER. LLRID^. 



Smoking generally produces a considerable discharge of this 

 fluid, and from it, as well as the warmth, has been occasionally 

 useful in jaains of the teeth, in rheumatic affections of the head 

 and jaws, and in asthmas, both serous and spasmodic. It lessens 

 the appetite, however, blackens the teeth, and renders the whole 

 person most indescribably offensive to those who possess the 

 slightest delicacy of smell, or to whom a clean appearance is 

 acceptable. 



Another mode of using Tobacco, is that of chewing it, when 

 it shows its narcotic properties as strongly as in any other way of 

 applying it ; though its nauseous taste sometimes prevents its being 

 carried far in this pi-actice. 



If considered as a medicine, it will be found, a valuable one, 

 though its emetic power often defeats the benefits we expect from 

 it. In the form of infusion and of smoke, it is introduced into the 

 rectum, and is often effectual as an enema, when every thing else 

 has failed. Its smoke probably penetrates farther than any liquid, 

 and is more useful on this account, as well as from the oil acting 

 in its separate state. Its operation is, however, generally attend- 

 ed with faintness, and therefore peculiarly useful in ileus and 

 hernia, less so as a means of reviving those in asphyxy, from 

 drowning, or any other cause. Ascarides, also, in the same form, 

 it certainly kills. It is seldom employed as an emetic, as its sick- 

 ness is peculiarly distressing; yet, in nauseating doses, we presume 

 from its other qualities, that it may be equally effectual, and less 

 dangerous than the digitalis, which is classed m the same family, 

 and stands very near to it in the natural systems of modern bot- 

 anists. Its emetic power prevents it from acting as a laxative, 

 except in clysters, and as a diuretic, except in the form of its al- 

 kali, after burning. The oil which remains adhering to the salts, 

 adds to the diuretic power of the alkali, and it has been supposed 

 useful in dropsies. Though boiling lessens this emetic projjerty. 



