496 MEDICAL BOTANY. 



heart and other organs. The ill effects of smoking are not so well marked, 

 though a depraved condition of the system may often be traced to this source. 

 As regards snuffing, the principal effect produced is purely local ; though, 

 where the snuff is very strong, and especially in those who are unaccustomed 

 to its use, it will sometimes cause giddiness ; where it is taken in large quan- 

 tities it may bring on dyspepsia and the other symptoms heretofore spoken of, 

 in consequence of its passing into the throat and stomach. (See Dunglison, 

 Human Health, 330.) 



Where it is employed in the form of a clyster, its operation is in most cases 

 very violent, and sometimes fatal, even when directed by the most careful and 

 experienced practitioner. The application of it to abraded surfaces has like- 

 wise been followed by evil consequences ; and even applied to the sound skin 

 in the form of a cataplasm or decoction, it is often productive of its usual in- 

 fluence. Tobacco is very analogous in its operation to Lobelia, but differs 

 essentially from those of Hyoscyamus, Stramonium, or Belladonna, though 

 its action on the system has been compared to that of these several articles. 



Medical Uses. — The great power this substance exercises on the mus- 

 cular system has led to its use in many spasmodic diseases ; and it has proved 

 beneficial in colic, ileus, suppression of urine, and strangulated hernia, and 

 has generally been applied in the form of a clyster, either of the infusion or 

 of the smoke; but is seldom resorted to until most other means of relief have 

 failed, from the danger always attendant on its operation ; but in some cases 

 has proved eminently beneficial. It has also been used in substance as a 

 suppository to provoke the action of the bowels. The employment of its 

 smoke or infusion in asphyxia from drowning, once so highly recommended, 

 has now very properly been abandoned. Dr. O'Brien, of Dublin, warmly 

 advocates the use of Tobacco enemata in tetanus and dysentery. 



It has been favourably noticed by Dr. Fowler [Med. Rep.) in dropsy, and 

 has been advantageously spoken of by others ; but as digitalis is more cer- 

 tain in its diuretic effects, and causes less distress to the patient, is now but 

 seldom prescribed for this purpose. In dropsy and retention of urine, it has 

 produced good effects from its powerful relaxing powers, and from its dimi- 

 nishing the sensibility of the parts. In tetanus it has at limes been of much 

 benefit; Mr. Curling {Treat, on Tet.) notices it in the most favourable terms, 

 and states that it has never been known to fail when fairly tried during the 

 early stages of the disease. In fact in all spasmodic diseases it has occa- 

 sionally been of much service, both given internally or applied topically. 

 Dr. Godman detailed a case in which a snuff cataplasm to the throat relieved 

 a child of a paroxysm of croup that had resisted other remedies, and Dr. 

 Wood (U. S. Dispen.) notices a case of spasm of the rima glottidis, removed 

 by a tobacco cataplasm after copious venesection had been unavailingly 

 tried. In spasmodic asthma, both the tincture and smoking have been bene- 

 ficial. It has also been used as an anthelmintic. 



It is seldom given in substance, the wine or infusion being the general 

 modes of administration when exhibited by the mouth ; the infusion or smoke 

 when used as an injection, and the cataplasm or ointment when employed ex- 

 ternally. The infusion, made with an ounce of tobacco to a pint of boiling 

 water, may be given in doses of 60 — 100 drops. When used as an injection, 

 from 20 — 30 grains to the pint of water is usually sufficient, and a stronger 

 one might prove dangerous ; even these proportions have caused death. 

 The dose of the wine is from 10 — 40 drops. 



