MEDICINAL ACTION. 129 



PART V. 



MEDICINAL ACTION OF TOBACCO. 



Very early, before 1589, the Cardinal Santa 



Croce, returning from his nunciature in Spain 



and Portugal to Italy, carried thither with him 



tobacco. This circumstance is commemorated 



by Castor Duranti in Latin verses, which lavish 



the most egregious praises on this plant ; not 



only it is asserted to cure every disease, but the 



holy Cardinal's exploit in bringing tobacco is 



actually compared with that of his progenitor 



who brought home the veritable wood of the 



Cross ! — 



" Tlie names of Santa Croce rightly given, 

 Since they, in all respects resembling heaven, 

 Procure, as much as mortal man can do, 

 The welfare of our souls and bodies too." 



Possibly the credulity of superstition in that 

 age eagerly embraced this notion, and ascribed 

 to the plant even the efficacy of a charm or 



K 



