HERBALS OF THE NEW WORLD 131 



On its first introduction into Europe tobacco seems to have 

 been regarded as a new all-heal, and in the city of Seville, 

 we read, *' they know not what other to doe, hauing cut or hurt 

 themselves but to run to the Tabaco as to a most readie remedie. 

 It doth meruellous workes, without any need of other Surgery, 

 but this only hearbe." One chapter is devoted entirely to an 

 account of various cures effected by tobacco, and it is interesting 

 to read the authoritative account of the origin of the botanical 

 name " Nicotiana." Monardes tells us that it was so called 

 after Nicot, " my very friend ye first author inventer and bringer 

 of this hearbe into France." It appears that " Maister John 

 Nicot, being Embassador for his Maiestie in Portugall, in the 

 yeere of our Lorde 1559, went one day to see the Prysons of 

 the King of Portugall, and a Gentleman, being the Keeper of 

 the said Prysons, presented him with this hearb as a strange 

 plant brought from Florida." The same Maister Nicot, '' hauing 

 caused the said hearb to be set in his Garden, where it grewe 

 and multiplyed maruellously," experimented with it, and 

 amongst other things cured a young man who had a sore on his 

 nose. Quite a number of cures were effected, the most interest- 

 ing being that of one of Nicot's own cooks, who " hauing almost 

 cutte off his thombe with a great Chopping Knife ran unto the 

 said Nicotiane and healed it " ! 



The prescription for the ointment of tobacco is as follows : — 

 " Take a pounde of the freshe leaues of the sayde Hearbe, 

 stampe them, and mingle them with newe Waxe, Rosine, 

 common oyle of each three ounces, let them boyle altogether, 

 untill the Juice of Nicotiane be consumed, then add therto 

 three ounces of Venise Turpentine, straine the same through 

 a Linen cloth, and keepe it in Pottes to your use." The account 

 of tobacco ends thus : — " Loe here you haue the true Historic 

 of Nicotiane of the which the sayde Lorde Nicot, one of the 

 Kinge's Counsellors, first founder out of this hearbe, hath made 

 me privie, as well by woorde as by writing, to make thee (friendly 

 Reader) partaker thereof, to whome I require thee to yeeld 



