Medicinal Properties of Tobacco. 113 



than when applied either to the skin, or when taken into the 

 stomach. 



From what has been said of its narcotic powers, you, Gen- 

 tlemen, will readily infer its virtue as an article of medicine. 

 If we wish, at any time, to prostrate the powers of life in the 

 most sudden and awful manner, we have but to administer a 

 dose of tobacco, and our object is accomplished. Hence its 

 use in obstinate constipation, in cholic, in the iliac passion, 

 and in stranguary. 



As it is conceded that its efficacy as an antispasmodic 

 depends upon its power to prostrate every vestige of tone 

 and elasticity in the muscular fibre, prudence would dictate 

 that it should be used with the utmost circumspection, when 

 the system had been previously exhausted by the disease, or 

 by the antecedent method of cure. Melancholy instances 

 are on record, of the fatal effects of this medicine when 

 administered without this caution, both as an internal remedy, 

 and as an external application in cutaneous diseases. Two 

 instances will suffice. 



' A medical practitioner,' says Paris, ' after repeated trials 

 to reduce a strangulated hernia, injected an infusion of to- 

 bacco, and shortly after sent the patient in a carriage to the 

 Westminster Hospital, for the purpose of undergoing the 

 operation ; but the unfortunate man arrived only a few minutes 

 before he expired.' 



' I knew a woman,' says the same learned author, * who 

 applied to the heads of three of her children, afflicted with 

 scald-head, an ointment composed of snuff and butter ; but 

 what was the poor woman's surprise, to find them immediately 

 seized with vertigo, violent vomiting, fainting, and convul- 

 sions.' 



We next come to its effects as an emetic. ' As such,' says 

 Professor Chapman. ' tobacco claims our attention.' ' Cullen 

 and many others opposed its use, on account of the harshness 

 of its operation. Certainly it exceeds all others in the 

 promptness, violence and permanence of its impressions. 

 But these very qualities, unpleasant as they are, enhance its 

 value in many cases.' 



'Tobacco seems especially to be adapted to the evacuation 

 of some poisons; and it has this advantajje, that it acts with 

 equal certainty and expedition, when applied to the region of 

 the stomach in the form of a poultice, as when interntilly 

 administered.' Professor Barton says, he had recourse to an 

 application of the moistened leaves of this plant to the 

 region of the stomach, with complete success, to expel an 

 15 



