Medical properties and uses.-Tobacco is narcotic, sedative, emetic, diuretic, cathartic, when it is taken into the stomach, and errhine when it is externally applied. The three first mentioned properties are sufficiently obvious, even from the effects which smoking or chewing it produce on persons unaccustomed to its use.2 From Mr. Brodie's experiments, the infusion of tobacco produces its effect on the heart through the medium of the nerves. The symptoms are, very severe sickness, headache, extreme debility, cold sweats, and sometimes even convulsions. The production of such a state of the habit, however, being useful for relieving violent spasmodic constriction, tobacco is advantageously employed in obstinate constipation, ileus, suppression of urine, and incarcerated hernia, when other remedies fail of affording relief. The smoke is either thrown into the rectum by means of a pair of bellows of a peculiar construction, or an infusion of the leaves is exhibited in the form of enema.3 From its narcotic power, also, the smoking or chewing tobacco has been found useful in allaying the pain of toothache; and smoking it has been recommended, and in some instances found useful, in shortening and rendering more supportable the paroxysm of spasmodic asthma.

The infusion has been used as an emetic; but the practice cannot be recommended : and notwithstanding the extraordinary success of Dr. Fowler 1, who employed it in dropsy and dysury, its general effects are too violent for internal exhibition; and it is not equal as a diuretic either to squill or foxglove, which are more manageable remedies. In dysury, however, as Dr. Pearson has observed, its antispasmodic properties are of advantage, and consequently its use in that complaint is less objectionable.2 The external application of a strong infusion of tobacco, or of a cataplasm of the moistened leaves themselves, is sometimes employed as a local stimulant in porrigo, scabies, and some other cutaneous eruptions; but even in this mode of using it, tobacco is apt to induce the same virulent effect as when it is internally administered in large doses.

1 Vide Ann. de Chimie, tome lxxi. p. 139.

2 The custom of smoking tobacco was introduced into England by Sir Walter Raleigh, and was at one time extremely prevalent, but is now confined chiefly to the lower class of the people. In some parts of Europe, however, it is still regarded as the greatest solace and pleasure of the luxurious. It is a curious fact, that in England an edict was published against its use, the reason of which was probably the apprehension thus stated by Camden: -"Angloruru corpora in barbarorum naturam degenerasse, quum iidem ac barbari delectentur."-Annal. Eliz. p. 143. James I. wrote against it: Urban VIII., in the beginning of the 17th century, anathematized those who used it in churches; and in Constanti-. nople, where its use is now so general, the custom was, in the beginning of the 17th century, thought so ridiculous and hurtful, that any Turk who was found smoking was conducted in ridicule through the streets with a pipe transfixed through his nose. Tobacco, which has been introduced into the Sandwich Islands by Europeans, "is now," says Kotzebue (vide Voyage of Discovery) "so generally used that young children smoke before they learn to walk, and grown-up people have carried it to such an excess, that they have fallen down senseless, and often died in consequence." In the province of Varinas, in South America, the women carry the chimoo, which is a preparation of inspissated tobacco juice, in a small box, which they wear like a watch, suspended to one side at the end of a string.

Instead of a key it is furnished with a little spoon, with which they help themselves from time to time, relishing it in their mouths like a sweetmeat. Colombia, vol. ii. p. 11G.

3 The native doctors in India apply the leaves to the orifice of the anus. Vide Ainslie's Mat- Med. of Hindostan, 4to. p. 48.

But tobacco is chiefly employed as a sternutatory, and is the basis of all the kinds of snuff generally used.3 The powdered leaves, when snuffed up the nostrils of tho3e unaccustomed to the use of snuff, excite vehement sneezing, and promote a considerable discharge from the nostrils, answering all the purposes for which errhines are employed. As a luxury, snuff has been used upwards of two hundred years in Britain, and has been taken in great quantities without any perceptible bad consequence; although it has been asserted that its immoderate use weakens the sight, produces lethargy, and gives a tendency to apoplexy. After the use of it has become habitual, it cannot be relinquished without considerable risk, arising from the suspension of the artificial discharge it produces, as Dr. Cullen observed from his own experience.4

The London College has given a formula for an infusion proper to be used as an enema: as a diuretic, the infusion employed by Dr. Fowler is made with j. of the dried leaves,

1 Med. Reports on the Effects of Tobacco, etc. Of thirty-one cases treated by Dr. Fowler, sixteen were cured, ten relieved, and three received no benefit.

2 Practical Synopsis, etc. 228.

3 In the manufacture of snuff, salt, urine, hydrochlorate of ammonia, and even powdered glass are added to the tobacco. The difference of flavour depends, in some, on the species of nicotiana employed, but chiefly on the preparation of the leaves, and these having undergone fermentation. Macouba derives its flavour from the leaves being fermented with an addition of the best cano-juice.

4 Materia- Medica, ii. 437.

and Oj. of boiling water, and given in doses of lx. to lxxx. twice a day.

Officinal preparations.-Infusum Tabaci, L. D. Vinum Nicotianae Tabaci, E.