containing the usual percentage of nicotine a 
decoction prepared by boiling 15 grams of 
tannic acid with 114 kilograms of water until 
the weight is reduced to one kilogram; then 30 
grams of the essential oil of origanum vulgare 
are added, after which the decoction is im- 
mediately removed from the fire. Having stood 
for some minutes the mixture is filtered and 
allowed to cool to about 16° C., when the 
preparation is ready to be spread over the 
previously weighed tobacco. When the absorp- 
tion of this mixture by the tobacco leaves is 
completed, they are subjected to slight pres- 
sure and moderate heat, after which they are 
ready for the manufacture of the various to- 
bacco products. 
Tannic acid is a well-known antidote for 
nicotine poisoning, and it is claimed for Gerold’s 
process that while the undistilled nicotine is 
neutralized in its toxic qualities only by the 
tannic acid, that this does not influence at all 
its peculiar odor nor most of its other charac- 
teristics —From the Pharmaceutical Era, July 
27, 1899, p. 144. 
Havana cigars are generally better if smoked 
fresh; domestic cigars are better if allowed to 
age in the box several months before using. 
217 
