52 TOBACCO. 
ing, and, alarmed at seeing his master apparently o n 
fire, threw the whole contents of the jug into his face 
to quench it. 
/So extensive has this nauseous practice ROW become, 
especially in Holland and Germany, that it constitutes 
a daily luxury with nearly all the peasantry of those 
countries, as well as with the more indolent and wealthy 
ckissea of the inhabitants. To many constitutions it is 
very injurious. When first begun, it occasions vomiting, 
intoxication, and other unpleasant effects. These how- 
ever, by repetition, are discontinued, though its stupi- 
tying qualities are never entirely overcome. 
Another form under which tobacco is used, is that 
of snuff. The basis of snuff is tobacco powdered; but 
many other matters are added, to give it a peculiar 
smell, or to impart pungency to it. When first applied 
to the nose, snuff excites sneezing, but, by repetition, 
this entirely ceases. The practice of taking snuff has, 
in some instances, been found injurious to the smell 
and the voice; it has been attended with loss of me- 
mory, and by symptoms of a weakened or debili- 
tated state of the nervous system. 
But there is no mode of using tobacco so disgusting, 
to persons unaccustomed to it, as chewing. By the 
labouring classes, and particularly by mariners, this 
practice is chiefly followed, from a notion, though 
apparently a very erroneous one, that it will prevent 
the return of hunger, and, in some degree, supply a 
lack of food. 
Though all these are disgusting as practices, there is 
no doubt, but, medicinally, they may be attended with 
good effects. By smoking and chewing, tooth-ach has 
often been relieved; and some persons consider the for- 
mer a means of guarding against contagion. The occa- 
sional and moderate use of snuff has, in several cases, been 
found beneficial, particularly in head-achs, and in dis- 
eases of the eyes and ears. Infusions of tobacco are some- 
times administered in medicine, but this drug is princi- 
pally given in the form of a vinous or watery infusion. 
