NAT. ORDER. LURIDiE. 129 



ii IS not destroyed ; and, though it is nearly lost in the extract, 

 there is much doubt whether its virtues are diminished in the same 

 proportion. 



Tli-c infusion of Tobacco is employed in the form of enema with 

 advantage, in some cases of obstinate constipation ; but, generally 

 speaking, it is a dangerous remedy. As to the propriety and safety 

 of employing it in strangulated hernia, there is considerable dif- 

 ference of opinion. By some it is considered as most unsafe, whilst 

 others speak of it as highly beneficial ; and it is no easy matter to 

 decide as to the most advisable mode of practice. We may, 

 however, safely say, neither of these opinions should be strictly 

 adhered to, for, in the first instance, this disease is sometimes con- 

 nected with such prostration of strength, that a Tobacco enema 

 would in all probability lestroy the jiatient in a very short time ; 

 but, on the contrary, wht-n a person is in a vigorous state of health, 

 pulse strong, and whose strength requires to be diminished, the 

 Tobacco might be advantageously employed. We should use it 

 with the greatest caution in every case, for there are many in- 

 stances on i-ecord, where it has proved destructive in this and 

 other diseases. An infusion of half a drachm is quite sufficient 

 for one clyster. As an external application, it may be dispensed 

 with, for when applied in that way, it is apt to occasion unpleasant 

 symptoms. Thus, Murray mentions a case where it was applied 

 to the cure of Itch, and it produced vomiting of blood, and con- 

 vulsions ; and there are other cases on record, of the injurious 

 effects of it as an external application. 



