12S 
NAT. ORDER.' — LURID^. 
Smoking generally produces a considerable discharge of this 
fluid, and from it, as well as the warmth, has been occasionally 
useful in pains of the teeth, in rheumatic affections of the head 
and jaws, and in asthmas, both serous and spasmodic. It lessens 
the appetite, however, blackens the teeth, and renders the whole 
person most indescribably offensive to those who possess the 
slightest delicacy of smell, or to whom a clean appearance is 
acceptable. 
Another mode of using Tobacco, is that of chewing it, when 
it shows its narcotic properties as strongly as in any other way of 
applying it ; though its nauseous taste sometimes prevents its being 
carried far in this practice. , 
If considered as a medicine, it will be found a valuable one, 
though its emetic power often defeats the benefits we expect from 
it. In the form of infusion and of smoke, it is introduced into the 
rectum, and is often effectual as an enema, when every thing else 
has failed. Its smoke probably penetrates farther than any liquid, 
and is more useful on this account, as well as from the oil acting 
in its separate state. Its operation is, however, generally attend- 
ed with faintness, and therefore peculiarly useful in ileus and 
hernia, less so as a means of reviving those in asphyxy, from 
drowning, or any other cause. Ascarides, also, in the same form, 
it certainly kills. It is seldom employed as an emetic, as its sick- 
ness is peculiarly distressing; yet, in nauseating doses, we presume 
from its other qualities, that it may be equally effectual, and less 
dangerous than the digitalis, which is classed in the same family, 
and stands very near to it in the natural systems of modern bot- 
anists. Its emetic power prevents it from acting as a laxative, 
except in clysters, and as a diuretic, except in the form of its al- 
kali, after burning. The oil which remains adhering to the salts, 
adds to the diuretic power of the alkali, and it has been supposed 
useful in dropsies. Though boiling lessens this emetic property, 
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