1 1 2 Medicinal Properties of Tobacco. 



' In seven days from the commencement of the cocoons, 

 they are collected in heaps; those which are designed to con- 

 tinue the breed being first selected and set apart on hurdles, 

 in a dry and airy situation. ' The next care is to destroy the 

 vitality of the chrysalides in those balls which are to be reeled. 

 The most approved method of performing this is to fill large 

 earthen vessels with cocoons, in layers, throwing in one fortieth 

 part of their weight of salt upon each layer, covering the 

 whole with large dry leaves resembling those of the water 

 lily, and then closely slopping the mouths of the vessels. In 

 reeling their silk, the Chinese separate the thick and dark 

 from the long and glittering white cocoons, as the produce 

 of the former is inferior. 



' In India, the climate admits of silk worms being reared in 

 buildings resembling sheds rather than houses. They are 

 composed of lattice work, and their roofs are covered with 

 thatch. The breadth of such buildings is usually fifteen feet, 

 and their height eight feet ; their length is regulated by the 

 extent of accommodation required. In the centre of the apart- 

 ment a path is left, of r.onvenient width for the attendants 

 to pass and repass in supplying the wants of their charge ; 

 and on either side are twelve tiers or stages, one above anoth- 

 er, of open frame work, or shallow boxes made of bamboo, 

 in which the worms are placed. When ready to spin, each 

 worm is individually transferred to a small cell formed with 

 platted strips of bamboo.' 



MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF TOBACCO. 



These are considered to be those of a powerful narcotic, 

 antispasmodic, emetic, cathartic, sudorific, and diuretic. 



' As a narcotic, it is endued with the most energetic, 

 poisonous properties, producing, when administered even in 

 small doses, severe nausea and vomiting, cold sweats, univer- 

 sal tremors, with extreme muscular debility.' From its ex- 

 erting a peculiar action on the nervous system, as ascertained 

 by the well-directed experiments of Mr. Brodie, it powerfully 

 controls the action of the heart and arteries, producing 

 invariably a weak, tremulous pulse, with all the apparent 

 symptoms of approaching death. And so different is its 

 operation from that of other narcotics, that it actually operates 

 with more destructive efficacy, when used by way of injection, 



