118 Medicinal Froperlies of Tobacco. 



Another instance is related by the same author, of the in- 

 jurious e[l(2cts of this habit. A lady, who had been accustomed 

 to take snuflf freely, was seized with a severe pain in her 

 stomach, which continued unabated notwithstanding many 

 remedies were applied ; until acci,dentally her snuff was 

 omitted for a i'cw days, when the pain was found to subside, 

 and did not return until she again had recourse to her snuff. 

 TJien, to her utter astonishment, it immediately came with 

 all its former severity, and would yield to no treatment with- 

 out a relinquishment of the snuff-box, which (strange to tell) 

 the woman laid aside, and recovered her health. 



Most persons in the constant habit of taking snuff, are led 

 on insensibly, until they consume enormous quantities. But 

 as they are accustomed both to its stimulant and narcotic 

 effects, they are not aware of the pernicious consequences. 

 In the midst of interesting conversation, they frequently 

 transcend the bounds assigned them by habit, and the conse- 

 quence is, sickness, faintness and trembling, with some ver- 

 tigo and confusion of head. During this paroxysm of snuffing, 

 particles of the powdered tobacco are carried back into the 

 fauces, and thence into the stomach ; which occasions not 

 only sickness at the time, but is long after followed with dys- 

 pepsia and other symptoms of disordered abdominal viscera. 



The second mode of habitually using this drug, '\s smoking. 

 This, too, has been prescribed by reputable members of the 

 faculty. And for what purpose has this disgusting practice 

 been recommended ? ' For weakness of the stomach,' to be 

 sure. Persons who have a craving appetite, and consume 

 more food, particularly at dinner, than their stomach will 

 readily digest, experience considerable uneasiness for some 

 time after eating. The mouth and fauces sympathize with 

 the overloaded organ, and an increased quantity of fluid is 

 poured from the mucous follicles and salivary glands, to aid 

 in the process of digestion. Under these accumulating diffi- 

 culties, the man calls on the ' Doctor,^ who very wisely im- 

 agines these symptoms are sufficient evidence that he has a 

 • weak and watery stomach,' and the pipe and cigar are rec- 

 ommended to carry off the superabundant humors, which 

 still are unable to assimilate the enormous load with which, 

 from time to time, the stomach is crowded. But as the 

 application of the burnt oil of tobacco to the mouth and 

 fauces, from its stimulant and narcotic qualities, benumbs the 

 senses and renders the individual lessconsciousof his distress, 

 he takes it for granted that he is materially relieved, and 

 knows not, poor man, that it is all delusion. Thus, instead 



