50 tobacco: its use and abuse. 



3.86 to 11.28 grains of nicotina. The action of nicotinsi 

 on thiB human frame is that of an acrid, narcotic poison, 

 causing giddiness and vomiting, and, in doses of a few 

 grains, death. ^ 



" The proT^erties of the latter, nicotianin, are as fol- 

 low : It is a concrete oily substance, having the smell 

 of tobacco, and a bitter taste. It is volatile; the dilute 

 acids and water do not dissolve it, but it is soluble in 

 liquor potassse and ether. In swallowing nicotianin, the 

 same sensation is produced on the tongue and fauces as 

 by tobacco. A grain administered internally, quickly 

 caused giddiness, nausea, and retching. It also produces 

 sneezing when applied to the nose. Six pounds of to- 

 bacco leaves furnish about eleven grains of nicotianin. 

 It is also known as ' concrete oil of tobacco^ and '■ tohacco 

 camphor.' 



" Both these active principles and constituents have 

 been shown, by Zeise and Melsens, to be present in the 

 smoke of tobacco : they are, therefore, undoubtedly not de- 

 stroyed by the combustion of the tobacco, whether used 

 in the form of cut tobacco or cigars ; but in the act of 

 smoking they are inhaled, and thus drawn into the mcmth, 

 fauces, lungs, and even the stomach, especially when the 

 saliva, impregnated with the tobacco smoke, is swallowed. 

 Further, that these active constituents are actually ab- 

 sorbed, and make their way into the system, is proved 

 from the sickness, giddiness, and death-like faintness 

 experienced by those who are unaccustomed to smoking; 

 that they are absorbed to some degree, if not to the same 

 extent, in the case of habitual smokers of tobacco, is un- 

 questionable — the diflFerence in the efifects experienced 



