bacco acquires a strong penetrating odor after it has undergone the 

 necessary manipulation to prepare it for market. The fresh leaf is 

 without odor. It has a bitter, nauseous and acrid taste. These 

 properties are imparted to water and alcohol. Its active principle 

 which has been separated has received the name of nicotia. In its 

 action on the animal system it is the most virulent poison known. 

 A drop of it in the state of concentrated solution is sufficient to 

 destroy a dog; and small birds perish at the approach of a tube 

 containing it. In man, it is said to destroy life in poisonous doses in 

 from two to five minutes. Tannin might be employed as a counter- 

 poison. 



Tobacco unites the powers of a sedative and narcotic to that of 

 an emetic. It produces this effect to a greater or less degree to 

 whatever surface it may be applied. When chewed it irritates the 

 mucous membrane of the mouth and increases the flow of saliva. 

 Moderately used, it quiets restlessness, calms mental and corporeal 

 inquietude. 



The use of tobacco was adopted by the Spaniards from the 

 American Indians, some tribes considering smoking a religious 

 ceremony. Nuttall tells us that an Indian chief informed him that 

 the Osages smoked to the Great Spirit or to the sun, and accom- 

 panied it by the following apostrophe : " Great Spirit deign to 

 smoke with me as a friend; fire and earth smoke with me and assist 

 me to destroy my enemies; my dogs and horses smoke also with me." 



Tobacco was introduced into France by the French ambassador 

 at the court of Portugal, whose name, which was Nicot, has been 

 immortalized in the generic name of the plant. Sir Walter Raleigh 

 is said to have introduced the practice of smoking into England. 



Smoking, when indulged in to excess, enfeebles digestion, pro- 

 duces emaciation and general debility, and lays the foundation of 

 serious nervous disorders. Four cases of insanity have been re- 

 ported to have occurred in the Pennsylvania hospital of the insane, 

 the cause of which had been ascribed to the abuse of tobacco. Its 

 violent action as a remedial agent prevents its frequent employment 

 in medical practice, and it is chiefly used as a narcotic to produce 

 relaxation in spasmodic affections. 



The spectroscope analysis has shown that tobacco ash contains 

 the rare mineral called lithia, which imparts such a beautiful red 

 color to the flame. 



