CHAPTER XXVIII. 

 TOBACCO. 



Origin of Tobacco. Tobacco was unknown to civilized 

 man till after the discovery of America. Here it was 

 found in use by the natives, having been brought originally 

 from South America. Its use has unfortunately spread 

 throughout the world. As an American product, we can- 

 not point to it with pride, as we can to corn and the potato, 

 which have proved such blessings to mankind. The 

 United States produces about half of the world's supply 

 of tobacco. 



The Tobacco Plant. The tobacco plant is an annual, 

 growing from three to six feet high, and bearing large 

 fuzzy leaves, the lower ones sometimes two or three feet 

 long. It is in these leaves that we find the principal sub- 

 stance for which tobacco is used, that is, the nicotine. 

 From two to six per cent of nicotine is found in the leaf. 



Nicotine. Nicotine is a clear, oily liquid. It is a most 

 violent poison, one drop being enough to kill a rabbit in 

 less than four minutes. 



Effects of Nicotine. Nicotine is one of the most power- 

 ful of nerve poisons. In very small quantities it at first 

 reduces the pulse rate, but afterward quickens it. The 

 pupils of the eyes are dilated. Larger doses produce con- 

 vulsions, followed by paralysis and often by death from 

 failure of respiration. 



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