Medicinal Properties of Tobacco. 115 



opthalmia or inflammation of the eyes. But habit soon blunts 

 the sensibility of the organs, and much positive injury follows 

 the habitual use of snutf. It has been a popular remedy in 

 many places for the cure of scald-head, psora, and most other 

 cutaneous eruptions. It has also been applied for cleansing 

 ulcers, and for the removal of indolent tumors. But the 

 dreadful effects produced by it when absorbed into the sys- 

 tem, have induced most medical men to abandon it altogether, 

 and prescribe a more safe application. 



Though it is said, by Dr. Brailsfoid, to be a sudorific of 

 considerable efficacy, I am in possession of no facts which go 

 to support such a conclusion, unless it be the fact, that it in 

 an eminent degree brings on that cold perspiration of which 

 we have spoken, and which is, in many instances, the imme- 

 diate precursor of death. 



But of all others, its diuretic properties have been the most 

 lauded. Dr. Fowler was the first to bring them extensively 

 into notice. In dropsy, dysury, gravel and nephritis calcu- 

 losa or inflammation of the kidneys, the infusion and tincture 

 were given by him with astonishing success. In spasmodic 

 asthma, the same distinguished physician found it to afford 

 relief. 



Mr. Earle, a surgeon of some eminence, has more recently 

 treated several inveterate cases of retention of urine on the 

 same plan and with similar effects, and adds his testimony to 

 its efficacy in testanus, trismus, and other spasmodic affec- 

 tions. Of its power to relieve spasm there can be no doubt. 

 What has been related of its sedative qualities, is abundantly 

 sufficient to establish that fact. Cramps, convulsions, and 

 even the vital principle itself, give away before the exhibition 

 of this deadly narcotic. Hence, to its power of prostrating 

 the muscular enegy, it owes its efficacy in preventing reten- 

 tion of urine. 



We have now gone through with an examination of the 

 medicinal properties of tobacco, and have arrived at the fol- 

 lowing conclusion, viz. that few substances are capable of 

 exerting effects so sudden and destructive, as this poisonous 

 plant. Prick the skin of a mouse with a needle, the point of 

 which has been dipped in its essential oil, and immediately 

 it swells and dies. Introduce a piece of common ' twist,' as 

 large as a kidney bean, into the mouth of a robust man, 

 unaccustomed to this weed, and soon he is affected with 

 fainting, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, and loss of vision. At 

 length the surface becomes deadly pale, the cold sweat 

 gathers thick upon his brow, the pulse flutters or ceases to 



