ATREATISEONTOBACCO, &c.
AsNicolaus Monardus, inSimpl. Med. Histor.has given so full and accurate an History and Description ofTobacco, that others have only borrowed their Accounts of it from his Works, we shall, in the Words of that Author, inCap. 14, inform the Reader whatTobaccois, where it is produced, and to what Uses it is applied.
"The PlantTobacco, says he, was formerly used by theIndians, and especially by the Inhabitants ofNew Spain, for the Cure of Wounds. A few Years ago it was imported intoSpain, rather for the Decoration of Gardens, than on Account of its medicinal Virtues: But it is nowmore celebrated for the latter, than used for the former.
"This Plant is among theIndianscalledPicelt; for theSpaniardsfirst called itTobaccofrom a certain Island of that Name, where great Quantities of it were produced.
"It rises to a great Height, and is sometimes as tall as theLemon-Tree. Its Trunk is strait, and sends out many large Branches, which bear Leaves almost resembling those of theLemon-Tree, but larger, like those of theBurdock, of a faint green Colour, and a little rough and shaggy, as the Whole of the Plant is. The Tops of the Branches bear Flowers of the Shape of a small Bell, which are white at the Extremities, but of a purple Colour in the Middle; and when these Flowers fall off, they are succeeded by small Heads, which resemble those of theBlack Poppy, and contain a very small cineritious blackish Seed. The Root is thick, divided into many Parts, internally of a ligneous or woody Nature, Saffron-coloured, bitter, and easily deprived of its Bark: But I am acquainted with no medicinal or other Quality of which it is possessed.
"The Plant grows in most Places of theIndies, and especially those of a moist and shady Nature, and in light well cultivated Soils: It may be sown at all Seasons; but when it appears above Ground it is to be preserved from the Cold, and may be transplanted for the Decoration of Garden-Walls; for, like theCitron-Tree, it continues green through the whole Year.
"The Leaves are only used; though when these cannot be had, some use the Seeds in their Stead. The Leaves are preserved by passing a Thread through them, suspending them in a shady Place, and thus drying them, after which they are used either whole or reduced to Powder.
"Tobaccois hot and dry, and consequently heats, resolves, cleanses, and is a little astringent, as will appear from these following Virtues, of which it is possessed.
"The Leaves ofTobaccoheated and applied, prove an excellent Remedy for aCephalæa, andHemicrania, provided these Disorders arise from a cold Cause, or Flatulences, but the Use of them is to be often repeated, till the Disease is removed. Some, before the Application of them, anoint theHead with the Oil obtained from the Flowers of theOrange-Tree. The same Remedy is beneficial for a Rigidity of the Neck orTetanus, and for Pains of the whole Body, arising from the same Cause.
"When a Tooth-ach proceeds from a cold Cause, the wiping the affected Tooth with a Linen-Cloth, soaked in the Juice ofTobacco, and then putting a Piece of the Leaf, made up in Form of a Pill, into the Hollow, not only removes the Pain, but also prevents the spreading of the Corruption.
"A Decoction of Tobacco-Leaves with Water, and aLinctusprepared of the same Decoction, are beneficial in Disorders of the Breast, inveterate Coughs, Asthma's, and other similar Disorders proceeding from cold Humours. A small Quantity of a Syrup prepared of Sugar, and a Decoction of the Leaves eliminates any putrid Humours lodged in the Breast. The Smoak of Tobacco-Leaves received into the Mouth, sometimes affords Relief to asthmatic Patients; but proper Evacuations ought previously to be made, if the Patient's Condition can possibly admit of it.
"Tobacco-Leaves heated under the Ashesand applied to the Pit of the Stomach, without shaking the Ashes off, afford Relief to Persons afflicted with a Rumbling of the Intestines, and Flatulencies. For the same Purposes others bruise the Leaves with their Hand, anointed with Oil, and apply them to the Region of the Stomach. The Leaves triturated in a little Vinegar, long used by way of Ointment, and bound upon the Parts affected, are beneficial in Obstructions, or schirrous Tumours of the Stomach and Spleen; but over this Preparation warm Leaves, or a Cloth soaked in the warm Juice of the Leaves, are to be applied frequently every Day. When the Leaves cannot be had, Snuff may be mixed with any deobstruent Ointment, and the obstructed or tumid Part long anointed with it.
"TheIndianWomen greatly extol the Use ofTobacco, not only for Children, but also for adult Persons who are afflicted with Crudities of the Stomach; for after anointing theAbdomenwith Lamp-Oil, the Leaves heated under the Ashes, and applied opposite to the Stomach, on the Breast and Back, concoct the Crudities, and render the Body soluble, provided the Application is repeated sufficiently often. A small Quantity of the Juice ofTobaccoLeaves, concocted and depurated with Sugar, expels both flat and round Worms from the Intestines; but for answering this End more effectually, the triturated Leaves ought to be laid upon the Navel, and a proper Clyster injected.
"The Leaves heated under the Ashes, and applied as hot as the Patient can bear, afford great Relief in nephritic and flatulent Pains, provided the Remedy be sufficiently often repeated.Tobaccois also in many Cases an useful Ingredient in Clysters, Fomentations, and Plaisters.
"In Suffocations of theUterus, the Leaves rendered sufficiently hot, and applied to the Navel, and Region of theUterus, afford present Relief; and if aDeliquiumshould succeed, which it frequently does, the Patient will be forthwith roused from it by blowing the Smoak ofTobaccoup her Nostrils. This Practice is so common among theIndianWomen, that for this very Reason they carefully preserve and greatly esteemTobaccoLeaves. Some for uterine Disorders previously apply odorous Substances to the Navel, and then layTobaccoLeaves over them: But the most proper Substances for this Purpose, areTachamahach, Oil of liquidAmber,PeruvianBalsams,Caranna, or a Plaister of all these together worn daily on the Navel.
"ArthriticPains, provided the Humours are cold, or at least are not too hot, are greatly relieved by the Application of the warm Leaves, or of a Linen-Cloth soaked in the warm Juice of the Leaves; for these resolve and digest the Humours; for which Reason they are advantageously laid upon œdematous Tumours, previously washed with the warm Juice of the Leaves.
"It is certain from Experience, thatChilblanesare cured by rubbing them three or four Times withTobaccoLeaves, and then washing the Hands and Feet in warm Water and Salt.
"A few Years agoTobaccohas been found to resist Poison, even that of the most virulent Kind, with which theCannibalstaint their Arrows. It was formerly customary to sprinkleSublimateinto the Wounds thus inflicted; but theSpaniardsfound a Method of subduing the Force of the Poison by Means ofTobacco.
"A Company ofCannibalsmade an At-tack upon a Body ofIndiansandSpaniards, some of whom were killed and others wounded with their poisoned Darts. But as those who survived had noSublimate, they were advised by a certainIndianto pour the expressed Juice ofTobaccointo their Wounds, and then apply the triturated Leaves of the same Plant to them, by which Means their Pains were forthwith alleviated, the Symptoms checked, the Force of the Poison subdued, and the Wounds cured. This Accident laid a Foundation for the subsequent Use ofTobaccoagainst Poisons; and the King ofSpain, in order to be convinced of its Efficacy, ordered a Wound to be made in the Throat of a Dog, and to be anointed with the Poison used by Hunters; soon after which a large Quantity of the Juice ofTobaccowas poured into the Wound, and the triturated Leaves of the Plant applied to it, by which Means the Dog was effectually secured against the Symptoms usually produced by Poisons.
"TobaccoLeaves laid upon pestilential and malignant Carbuncles induce anEschar, and induce a Cure; nor are they a less present efficacious Remedy against the Bites of poisonous Animals.
"The Leaves, when laid upon recent Wounds, immediately stop theHæmorrhage, and produce a Conglutination; but if they are large, they ought to be previously washed with Wine, their Lips brought into Contact, and sprinkled with the Juice of the Leaves, after which the triturated Leaves are to be secured upon the Wound: The same Measures are to be taken the next and subsequent Days, and a proper Regimen observed.
"An Instillation of the Juice, and an Application of the triturated Leaves deterge, cure, and cicatrise old Ulcers and Gangrenes; provided due Evacuations are made, a sufficient Quantity of Blood, if necessary, is taken away, and a proper Regimen observed.
"By this Means Ulcers are not only cured in Men, but also in Animals. For through all theIndies, Cows, Sheep, and other Animals, are much subject to Ulcers, which, on Account of the excessive Humidity of the Climate, easily become putrid, and full of Worms. In these Ulcers it was sometimes customary to sprinkleSublimate, the Inhabitants being destitute of better Remedies. But as this Medicine is dear in that Part of the World,what was used for the Cure of these Ulcers generally cost more than the Animal was worth. For this Reason the Inhabitants, conscious of the Efficacy ofTobaccoon Mankind, transferred its Use to the putrid, fetid, and wormy Ulcers of Animals; and accordingly found that its Juice instilled into them, not only killed the Worms, but also cleansed the Ulcers, and induced aCicatrix.Tobaccois also good against the Gallings of Cattle, for which Reason theIndiansalways carry the Powder of it about with them.
"I knew a certain Person afflicted with Ulcers of the Nostrils, which discharged a seemingly contagiousSanies. By my Advice he dropped the Juice ofTobaccointo them; after the second Instillation a large Number of Worms fell away; then a smaller Quantity and after a few Days the Ulcers were cured, though the Parts eroded were not restored. The rubbing Ring-worms and Scall'd Heads withTobaccoLeaves is also a beneficial Practice.
"Tobaccois the celebrated Plant used by theIndianPriests before they give their Responses; for it is customary among theIndiansto consult the Priests with respect to the Event of Wars, and other Affairsof Importance. Upon such Occasions, the Priest consulted, burnt dryTobaccoLeaves, received the Smoak of them into his Mouth through a small Tube contrived for that Purpose, then dropt down as it were in an Extasy, lay totally destitute of Motion, and remained in that Condition for some Time. When the Fumes of theTobaccowere discussed, he returned to himself, told that he had communicated the Affair to his Demon, and gave such ambiguous Responses, that, whatever the Event should be, the superstitious Crowd might be easily perswaded, that he had prophesied rightly. Thus the credulousBarbariansare miserably hood-wink'd by the impious and fraudulent Stratagems of their Priests.
"The common People among theIndiansalso receive the Smoak ofTobaccointo their Mouths and Nostrils, when they want either to be transported with pleasant Dreams, or to predict the Events of their Affairs from the Occurrences which happen to them during Sleep; for as the grand Impostor, the Devil, knows the Virtues of Herbs, he has taught them the Qualities ofTobacco, in order to deceive them by means of these Dreams.
"Various Plants, when chewed, or taken internally, are observed to excite false and delusory Representations and Ideas of Objects. ThusDioscorides, in Cap. deSolano Maniaco, seu Furioso, tells us, that a Dram of the Root of this Plant, drank in Wine, produces false, tho' not unpleasant Representations; that double the Quantity produces an Alienation of Mind, which lasts for three Days; and that four Times the Quantity proves mortal. It is also reported, that if a Person, when he is going to sleep, eatsAniseeds, they excite pleasant and agreeable Dreams; whereas, the eating ofHorse-Raddishprocures those of a turbulent and ungrateful Kind.
"Garcias ab Ortainforms us, that the Juice of a certain Plant calledBangue, mixed with some other Juices, produces Alienation of Mind, excites Dreams, and frees the Mind from all Anxiety and Uneasiness: The like Effects are brought about byOpium, which is much used by theEast-Indians, and concerning whichGarciashas treated very largely.
"TheIndiansalso, when fatigued by carrying Burdens, or by any other violent Exercise, smoakTobacco, by which Meansthey become as it were stupid, and fall asleep; but when they awake, they find themselves refreshed, and their Strength repaired. TheEthiopiansbrought thither as Slaves, following the Example of the Natives, smoakTobaccotoo frequently, for which their Masters chastise them severely, and burn theirTobacco, in order to deprive them of an Opportunity of using it, which, however, they continue to do secretly and in private.
"Tobaccois also used by theIndiansin order to allay Hunger and Thirst; for they calcine some Shells of River-Snails, and by Trituration reduce them to a fine Powder, of which, andTobaccoLeaves, they take equal Parts, and chew them together till they are reduced to a Kind of Mass, which they form into Pills, larger than a Pea: These they dry in a Shade, and preserve for Use. When they intend to travel through Desarts, where they expect neither Meat nor Drink, they take a sufficient Quantity of these Pills along with them, put one between their Under-Lip and Teeth, and constantly suck the Liquor from it; so that when one is consumed, they supply its Place with another, and thus they perform a three, and sometimes a four Days Jour-ney; during which Time, they say, they neither feel the Effects of Hunger nor Thirst: The Reason of this probably is, that as they continually suck these Pills, they draw the pituitous Humours from the Brain, which being swallowed, moisten the Stomach, and allay its natural Heat, but are at last consumed by it for Want of other Aliments. Instances of a similar Nature may be observed in many Animals, which, during the wholeWinter, confine themselves to their Holes without any Food; because the natural Heat of the Stomach is employed in digesting and consuming the Fat which they had gathered in theWinter."
These are all the Virtues and Qualities ofTobaccoknown toMonardus: But, besides this,Zacutus, inObservat. Lib. 1. de Medic. Princip. Histor.informs us, that he had often found the Juice ofTobaccoeffectual for the Cure of anAlopeciaor Falling off of the Hairs: Nor is this to be wondered at, since, as the Medicine indicated ought to bear an Analogy to the indicating Symptoms, asTobaccois hot and dry, resolvent, cleansing, and somewhat astringent; and as all these Qualities are, according toGalen, indicated in anAlopecia,Zacutusmight succeed in the Cure of it by means ofTobacco. I remember two Girls, who being indisposed, had aLixivium, in which dryTobaccoLeaves were macerated, prescribed for taking the Scales off their Heads; but the one was seized with a gentleVertigo, and the other thought she perceived herself, as it were, drunk. But I mention these Accidents for the Sake of young Practitioners, without any Design to discourage them from applyingTobaccoand its Preparations to other Parts of the Body; for the celebratedHartmannseems to have thought the Essence of the green Leaves ofTobacco, obtained by Infusion inMalmseyWine, a Specific for the Cure of thePalsey; and after a Sweat has been procured, orders the paralytic Limbs to be long rubbed with it; by which Means, he says, he has often seen them happily restored.
ThoughTobaccois a valuable Herb, yet the Abuse of it, which we shall afterwards consider, is intolerable, and highly noxious. Besides,Monardus,Ægidius Everartus, in 1587, atAntwerp, published a beautiful Commentary upon the Virtues and Uses ofTobacco: And when the same Work was reprinted atUtrechtin 1644, various Treatises concerningTobaccowere added to it; such as theMisocapnus, or a Treatise on the Abuse ofTobacco, taken from the Works of KingJamesthe Sixth ofEngland;Tobacologia Johannis Neandri.Epistolæ ac Judicia clarissimorum aliquot Medicorum; and theHymnus Tabaci Raphaelis Thorii. After these Authors appearedChrysostomus Magnenus, Professor of Medicine in the University ofPadua, who in 1648, published very learned Exercitations concerningTobacco. Not only from the Authors already mentioned, but also fromAndreas Cæsalpinus;Dalechampius's Historia generalis Plantarum;Lobelii Adversaria,Clusius in his Notæ ad Monardum;Dodonæus;Tabernamontanus;Nardi Antonii Recchi Res Medicæ Novæ Hispaniæ, cum Terentii Lyncei Notis, we learn what is the native Soil ofTobacco, and how the knowledge of it was introduced intoEuropeafter the Discovery ofAmericabyChristopher ColumbusandAmericus Vesputius. Some of these Authors have also described its Virtues and Use, whilst others of them have treated very fully concerning the Abuse of it. Following the Example of these great Men, I shall proceed, without any Partiality, and with that Freedom which is always peculiar to Truth. This is certainly a difficult Attempt, considering the Opposition and Prejudice with which I have to grapple. But before I proceed, I shall take Notice of the Error ofLibavius, who, according toMagnenusinExercitat. 1. Par. 1.asserts, thatTobaccowas a Native ofEurope, since it was found in the almost inaccessible Places of theHercynianForest: But adds this Author,Who denies that Seeds are dispersed, and carried every where by the Winds?But it is by no means probable, that the Seeds ofTobacco, which, comparatively speaking, are as small as the Atoms ofDemocritus, could, by a Whirlwind, be conveyed to theHercynianForest inGermany, fromFrance,Italy, orSpain, much less fromAmerica. This is a Plant of a particular specific Kind, and the Native ofAmerica: Neither does any Historian mention such a Whirlwind for the Dispersion of its Seeds. It is true, MountÆtnainSicily, and MountHeclainIceland, by their sulphureous Eruptions, throw the Ashes to a vast Distance: But it does not to me seem probable, that the Air should ever be in such a gyratory Motion, as to convey Seeds from one Quarter of the World to another, or from one Country to another, though it is not to be denied but they may be carried from a Plain to a rising Ground, or from one Garden to another adjacent to it.
Those Authors, who have calledTobaccoHerba rixosa, the Strife-producing Herb, andHerba insana, the Plant which excites Madness, seem not to have been very much in the wrong; for what is more frequent thanfor People of all Denominations to spend the whole of the Day smoakingTobaccoin Ale-Houses and Taverns? Nay, so fond are young and old Men ofTobacco, that the Father forgets the Interests of the Son, and the Son those of the Father for its Sake. Thus some Men use large Quantities ofTobacco, whilst, perhaps, their Families are starving at Home: Whereas some Children spend uponTobaccowhat their industrious Parents had, with Toil and Care, amassed for their Use. Nay, such is the Madness of someEuropeans, that they will, for a Trifle, dispose of their Goods, in order to gratify themselves withTobacco.
KingJamesthe Sixth ofEnglandtells us, "that, among theAmericans, a Servant addicted to the Smoaking ofTobacco, can hardly find a Purchaser; so odious is that Custom to the Authors of it themselves." WeEuropeans, however, are so infatuated and hood-winked, as yearly to sail toAmerica, spare no Expences, and expose ourselves not only to Storms and Tempests, but also to Sickness and Death, for the Sake ofTobacco; and it is certain, that our Men, on their Return fromAmerica, spread through allEuropetheNeapolitanDisease, which, asFiorovantathinks, was endemial to theAmericans, on Account of their eating humanFlesh. This, to use the Phrase ofAgrippa, de Vanitat. Scientiarum, Cap. 84.is to purchase Death at a great Price. TheIndiansandBarbarianshave such an Aversion to the Abuse ofTobacco, that they severely chastise theEthiopiansand Slaves for it, and burn theirTobacco; probably, because they suspect that it renders them valetudinary, and disables them to work; in which Situation they are a Burthen upon their Masters. According toViganenus, inLib. de Ritibus Moribusq;Turcarum; andJohannes Chrysostomus Magnenus, inExercitat. de Tabac. Exercit.6. §. 10.Amureth, the 4th Emperor of theTurks, by an Edict, prohibited the Use ofTobacco, under Pain of Death, lest, by the Abuse of it, his Subjects should become effeminate, feeble, and barren. According toAdamus Olearius, inLib. 3. Cap. 6.the Emperor ofMuscovy, in 1634, by an Edict prohibited the Importation ofTobaccoandSnuffinto his Territories, under the Penalty of being beat with Rods, and having the Nostrils slit in Case of Disobedience: And the same Author says, he saw some who had these Marks of Infamy inflicted upon them. InLib. 5. Cap. 31.he also tells us, thatSchach Abas, thePersianMonarch, prohibited all Use ofTobaccoin that Army, which he raised againstTameran Chanunder the Penalty of the Offender's having his Nose and Lipscut off; nay, he was so rigid, or rather cruel in his Discipline, that when a certainPersian, ignorant of the Edict, came into his Camp with someTobaccoto sell, he ordered both him and his Commodities to be thrown into one Funeral Pile and burnt.
These, and other similar Examples, might perhaps have a lucky Influence on someEuropeans, unless the Custom of usingTobaccohad become so prevalent and universal, thatJamesthe Sixth said he believed "that a whole Wood inEnglandwould hardly afford Trees enough for hanging the Dealers inTobacco."Hoffman, inLib. 2. de Medicam Officinal. Cap. 3.informs us, "that this Prince, in the University ofOxford, disputed publickly against the Use ofTobacco, giving Instances of Persons who used it, who were afflicted with incurable Disorders of the Breast, Deliriums, Watchings, and Convulsions; and after whose Death, the Lungs were found black and parched, just as if they had been indurated in Smoak." The sameHoffmaninforms us, that he was told by some Soldiers who had resided inHolland, "that upon dissecting the Heads of some Snuff-takers, who had been executed, they observed, that the whole internal Part of what Anatomists call thePateraof theBrain, was black with Snuff." He was also told byPatricius Noræus, "that in the lastBohemianWar, he saw all the Heads of theEnglishSoldiers, who were killed, in the same Condition."Nardus Antonius Recchus, inLib. 5. Rer. Medicar. Nov. Hisp.observes, "that those who useTobaccotoo frequently, become ill coloured, have a squalid, sordid Tongue, a Palpitation of the Throat, and a preter-natural Heat of the Liver, and fall into Cachexies and Dropsies, by which they are at last cut off." Thus they suffer for their Folly in gratifying themselves in so preposterous a Manner.
But without expatiating farther upon Things so obvious, let it suffice to have warned the Reader of his Danger, by the foregoing Observations. That Smoaking is more prejudicial and injurious than Snuffing, I think may be justly asserted, if we consider the Instances which Anatomists give us of the Effects produced by each, which we shall hereafter do: I must, however, here observe, that we cannot enough admire the Zeal ofJamesthe Sixth ofEngland, for the Good of his Subjects; since, in the last Words of hisMisocapnus, he expostulates with them in the following pathetic and affectionate Manner: "At last, therefore, O Citizens, ifyou have any Sense of Shame, or Dread of Infamy, left in your Bosoms, lay aside the Use ofTobacco, a Custom attended with Ignominy, received through Error, and established by Stupidity. By its Means the Wrath of Heaven is excited against us, the Health of our Bodies impaired, our Substance wasted, and the Dignity of our Nation not only diminished at Home, but also despised Abroad; forTobaccois a Substance loathsome to the Sight, disagreeable to the Smell, noxious to the Brain, injurious to the Lungs, and, by its Clouds of black Smoak, nearly resembling the horrid Steams of Hell."
If any Champion for the Interests ofTobacco, deaf to my salutary Instructions, should ask me whether I would have the Pope, the Emperor, and all the Kings, Electors, Princes, and Dukes inEurope, prohibit and discharge the Use ofTobacco? I answer, that such a Revolution is really to be wished for, on Account of the Abuses ofTobaccobefore enumerated. But, before I proceed to give a fuller Answer, I would have the Person who asks this Question, attentively listen to the following sublime and truly noble Sentiments ofSeneca, inLib. de Vita Beata, Cap. 1."Nothing,says he, is more worthy in itself, nor more becoming theDignity of a free-born Soul, than not, like the Cattle, implicitly to follow the Van of the Flock, going, not whither we ought to go, but whither they go before us. But nothing involves us in more terrible Misfortunes, than our judging of Things by Fame and Report, esteeming those Things best, which are most universally assented to, and approved, as we find in numberless Instances. We neither live agreeably to the Dictates of Reason, nor in a Manner that is uniform and consistent with itself: Hence it is, that such Numbers of Individuals fall, as it were, upon others. In a large and crowded Army, none falls without drawing another along with him, and the foremost prove fatal to those who succeed them. The like happens in every Part and Circumstance of human Life; for it is the universal Practice to impose upon our own Reasons, and, by that Means prove the Cause of Errors to others." It is therefore to be lamented, that weEuropeansshould thus brutally follow the Custom of theBarbarians, without listening to Reason, in which we so far excel them, since, to use the Expressions ofSalust, "They are addicted to Intemperance and Sleep, so rude and uncultivated, that they seem to lead the Life of Brutes, rather than thatof Men, since they indulge themselves in Voluptuousness, whilst their Souls are a Burthen to them." In a word, they live in a no less brutal Manner, than the Inhabitants of the Main Land ofAfrica, who, according toHippocrates, inLib. de Morbo sacra, "lie upon Goat-Skins, and eat Goat's Flesh, without any Bed-Cloths, or Garments, or Shoes, except what are made of Goat-Skins." TheAmericansare still worse, since they feed upon human Flesh, have nothing to cover them, and pass their Time in desart Places, and lurking Holes. Since, therefore, the Climate, Soil, and Non-Naturals of theAmericans, are widely different from those of theEuropeans, it is highly reasonable, that we should neither admit, nor tolerate, the continual and habitual Use ofTobaccoinEurope.
Cornelius Agrippa, inLib. de Vanitat. Scient. Cap. 84.seems, with a good deal of Reason, to think, "That it would greatly contribute, not only to the Health of Mankind, but also to the Interests of particular States, to prohibit the Importation of foreign and exotic Drugs, which are often counterfeited, or adulterated, by those who deal in them, to the great Detriment of the State." No less salutary and reasonable is that Law enacted atRomebyNero,which runs in the following Tenor: "Apothecaries are hereby injoined, to use no other Medicines, but those found inItaly, since these are not only better suited and adopted to the Constitutions ofRomans, but may also be had far fresher, more genuine, and with less Difficulty, Expences, and Danger, than foreign Medicines, the most of which are justly to be suspected, as sophisticated, spurious, spoiled in the Ship, corrupted by Age, or not collected at due Seasons, or in proper Places." Since the Diseases described by the Antients, sometimes seize theEuropeans, though with new and uncommon Symptoms; and since new Diseases also appear inEurope, I think it is not to be doubted, but the Meats, Fruits, and other Delicacies, sent fromAsia,Africa, andAmerica, intoEurope, are, in some Measure, the Sources of our Calamities.
But, without any farther Digression, I shall confine myself to the Abuse ofTobacco. ThatTobacco, when used with Prudence and Propriety, is a salutary Medicine, I do not deny; since I myself use it with great Advantage in theSpringandAutumn, at which Seasons I am afflicted with catarrhous Defluxions. Most People, when only seized with a gentle Cough, are so cautious, as not to venture upon a small Dose of the Syrup ofViolets, or Liquorice, without consulting their Physicians, Friends, and Nurses; but vast Numbers of theEuropeans, without any Advice, greatly incommode and disturb the Brain, the Seat of their Reason, by using the highly penetrating Smoak ofTobacco, in the Morning and Evening, in the Night as well as the Day, and in all States and Constitutions of the Weather, calm and serene, as well as cloudy and over-cast. Let us therefore lay aside this barbarous Custom, so fatal and prejudicial to Health.
Besides, it is probable, that the craftyAmericans, sensible of the vast Quantity ofTobaccoyearly imported intoEurope, may, for the Sake of Gain, impose upon us; for it is certain, that our own Merchants, influenced by a base and sordid Principle of Avarice, have long ago found Methods of adulteratingTobaccoby Means of Brine, Lemons, Vinegar, Wine, and Euphorbium. But with respect to these Frauds, the Reader may consultNeanderin hisTabacologia. Besides, it is hardly credible, that the Roaps brought fromAmerica, under the Name ofTobacco, consist intirely of good and soundTobaccoLeaves: For almost every one knows, that the Marks of the Goodness ofTobacco, whether drawn from the Colour, Smell, Taste, or Weight, vary very greatly among theEuropeans, who, to their Disgrace be it said, have learned to hang theirTobacco, when corrupted, insipid, or light, in Houses of Office, or Vaults, in order to be rendered more acrid and ponderous by the volatile Salts of human Urine and Excrements, under a specious Pretence, that these Salts render it beneficial and salutary, by cleansing the Head; which, they say, is highly beneficial to Persons who drink much. But this is certainly an improper and prejudicial Method of treating the Head, and evacuating its Excrements; concerning the copious Production of which, by means of the corrupted Temperature of the Brain in Persons who daily smoakTobacco, we shall afterwards treat.
Having premised these Things, we now come to decide a Question lately begun to be agitated, namely, Whether Snuffing or Smoaking is the more innocent and safe Custom? I affirm, then, that both are generally pernicious, and none of them to be recommended to any one without great Caution and Deliberation: Though I remember I was formerly a Smoaker ofTobacco, yet, I am of Opinion, that Snuffing is a less injurious and hurtful Practice. Some are of Opinion, that by the constant Use of Snuff, the Sight is rendered more clear and penetrating; butwith how great Danger this Practice is accompanied, is sufficiently confirmed byAdrianus Spigelius, inCorp. human. Fabr. Lib. 7. Cap. 2.where he proposes a Problem, together with its Answer, in the following Words: "What is the Cause, why many Persons, by often repeated Sternutations, especially when industriously excited, suddenly become blind? This happens, either because the Ramifications of the caroted Arteries, which are so near the Optic Nerves as to touch them, are so filled, as to compress them; or, because a large Quantity of pituitous Humours is conveyed from the Brain to the Optic Nerves, which are thereby obstructed. When the Disorder arose from the former of these Causes, I have seen the Patients cured by aSeton; but, when it proceeded from the latter, I never remember to have seen it cured."Joh. Chrysostomus Magnenus,inExercitat. 8. de Tabaco. §. 1.affirms, "that by violent Sternutation, some Persons have died; since by it the Head has been so strongly agitated, as by the Effort to burst theMeninges, and relax theCompagesof the Brain." And this Opinion he confirms by the Example of a certain Baker, mentioned byFamianus Strada, "who, when he had twenty-four Sternutations immediately succeeding each other, died ofthe twenty-fifth, by the violent Shock, of which the Arteries of the Brain, and Membranes surrounding it, were broken." The same Author, inSect. 4.of the last-cited Chapter, affirms, "That he saw a certain Man, who by the excessive Use of Snuff, had the chrystaline Humours of his Eyes corrugated, so that all Objects seemed to be in a Kind of fluctuating Motion before him."
If it should be objected, that such Accidents are rare; I answer, that though they are rare, yet they are not impossible; and, what has happened to some, may also be the Fate of others. Though, therefore, theFalxof theDura Mater, and theTorcularofHerophilus, the fatal Seat of anApoplexy, are not forthwith so disordered as to yawn by Snuffing, yet the Interests of the Five Senses are but ill consulted, by often drawing from the Brain with Snuff, what we callSnotorMucus, which is evacuated through the Nose; or rather, according toGalen, and other Anatomists, through theOs Ethmoides, which is the Organ of Smell, but not at all destined for eliminating the Excretions of the Brain. Thus Persons who use Snuff to Excess, instead of bettering, rather impair their Sight, and for their Pains generally lose the Sense of Smelling.
As the Person who, for his Crimes, has lost his Ears, is looked upon with Infamy; what better Treatment does he deserve, who, either through a Contempt of Medicine, or an obstinate Fondness to gratify his own Inclinations, either impairs or destroys those Senses, which indulgent Heaven has bestowed upon him for so noble Purposes! With respect to Instances of this Misfortune, and the Reasons why it happens,MagnenusinTr. de Abusu Tabaci, Exercitat. 6. Sect. 15.speaks in the following Manner: "The Sense of Smelling, as I have been told by many, who have either snuffed or smoaked to Excess, is abolished by the Abuse ofTobacco, because the mamillary Processes are thereby dried, so that when they are rendered drier than the Effluvia exciting the Perception of any Smell, they cannot be duly acted upon by such Effluvia; for Smell, according toAristotle, inLib. 3. de Animal.consists in the dry Effluvia surpassing the Moisture of these Processes; so that the common Sensory may have a Change produced in it by proper and adequate Objects."Magnenusalso, inExercitat. 28. Sect. 1.tells us, "That he knew a Man, who, in one Day, snuffed four Ounces." After which, he proceeds to enquire into the Advantages and Injuries attending the Use of Snuff; and to considerwhy it excites Sternutation in those who are not accustomed to it, but not in those who are. This accurate Author also, among other Reasons against the excessive Use of Snuff, advances this, that it may enter the Passages of theOs Ethmoides, form itself intoConcretions, and there lodge for a great while. Hence, it is sufficiently obvious, that when the Passages and Perforations of this Bone are obstructed by Snuff, the Air can neither have Access to the Brain for its Ventilation, nor can the Effluvia of odorous Bodies be conveyed to it; in Consequence of which, the Sense of Smelling must necessarily be lost. Though this should, perhaps, be looked upon as a trifling and inconsiderable Loss; yet Snuff, by its highly narcotic, heating, drying, penetrating, and unctuous Qualities, has such an unlucky Influence on the eighth Pair of Nerves ofSpigellius, or the first ofBartholin, which are appropriated to Smelling, that it gradually impairs, and, in process of Time, totally destroys that Sense; because this Pair of Nerves is conveyed to the mamillary Processes, which are situated in the interior Part of the Brain, near theOs Ethmoides, which is covered with theDura Mater. Since, therefore, a large Quantity of Snuff is violently attracted towards the Root of the Nose; and since, according to the Doctrine ofHippocrates, Nature is never one Moment idlein a living Body, all whose Parts are pervious and transparable, it must necessarily happen, that the Parts subservient to the Sense of Smelling must be greatly injured by the narcotic Quality of Snuff. Having said thus much of the Misfortunes produced by excessive Snuffing, we now come to consider those attending the Abuse of Smoaking; in doing which, we shall confine ourselves to Examples, which have a better Effect on the Vulgar, than the nice and fine-spun Deductions of a Philosopher's Reason.
It is therefore certain thatTobaccois possessed of an highly penetrating Quality. Thus the celebratedHeurnius, inLib. 1. Method. ad Prax.speaks of it in the following Manner: "Tobacco, when smoaked, produces very singular Effects, since it draws a surprizing Quantity of Phlegm from the Mouth and Nostrils: The Smoak arising from its dry Leaves laid upon live Coals, when received into the Mouth by a Funnel, pervades the whole Brain, and is also conveyed to the Ears, andUterus. But I can affirm, that this Herb is, in a peculiar Manner, appropriated to the Brain; easily conveys its Virtues thither, and evacuates all itsSordes: For, about a Year ago, when I was afflicted with the Tooth-ach, I made a Decoction ofTobaccowithWater, adding someCamomileFlowers: A Spoonful of this Decoction, when tepid, I put in my Mouth, and spit it out some Time after; and this I did for two Hours; by which Means my Pain was considerably alleviated. Next Day, when I went to my Garden, and stooped to pull up a Weed, a large Quantity of a Saffron-coloured Liquor, which smelled likeTobacco, flowed from my Nose, upon which my Tooth-ach was immediately removed. During the whole of my Life, neither Blood, nor any other Liquor, except a ferous Phlegm, had flowed from my Nose, but upon this Occasion I never saw any Liquor of a deeper yellow Colour." Other similar Accounts of the penetrating Quality ofTobacco, I have had from my old Master,Henningus Arnesæus, Physician toChristianus, the fourth King ofDenmark, who affirmed, "That not only the Smoak ofTobacco, but also that of every other Substance received by the Mouth, was penetrating on Account of its Acrimony; in Consequence of which, it must pervade and alter the whole Substance of the Brain, bothMeninges, and all the Vessels, and Contents of them." Besides, as the Smoak ofTobaccois hot, proceeding immediately from kindledTobacco; and as, according toAristotle, it is the Property of Heat to collect homogeneous, and separate heterogeneous Substances, it must necessarily happen, in the very Nature of Things, that this Smoak should fuse and colliquate the Phlegm, the Receptacle of which is the Brain, which, according toHippocrates, is the largest of all the Glands. I do not in the least doubt of the Truth ofArnesæus's Opinion; for I think that all the Fore-runners of Catarrhs, such as Sternutations, Spittings, and Discharges of Saliva, are produced by Heat, which is the necessary Cause of Catarrhs, though not the productive Cause of the morbific Matter. Thus the celebratedHoffman, inLib. 3. Institut. Medic. Cap. 193.informs us, "That Heat alone, and, for the most part, of the external Kind, such as that of the Sun, or that procured by Exercise, Wine, and Aromatics, among which areCinnamonandSaffron, with which we so plentifully season our Aliments, is sufficient to fuse and colliquate the Phlegm, or acrid Serum." Thus a Pipe filled with the burned Wicks of Candles, gathered out of Snuffers, or with a Piece of Match used in discharging Cannons, or with a Piece of bituminous, fossile Earth, especially that ofHolland, will procure as copious a Spitting, as a Pipe of the bestVirginianTobacco. Soldiers also, and Sailors, produce the same Pleasure and Effects in themselves by smoaking kindled Paper, as are produced by smoakingTobacco. Since, therefore, acrid Smoak and Heat of every Kind, conveyed to the Brain, fuse the Phlegm, and eliminate it by theOs EthmoidesandSphœnoides, the Nose and the Palate of the Mouth, I see no Reason whyHeurniusshould affirm, "That it has a surprizing Faculty of drawing the Phlegm from the Mouth and Nostrils; that it is peculiarly adapted to the Brain, easily conveys its Virtues thither, and eliminates all its Sordes."
AsTobaccois hot, dry, unctuous, and penetrating; it must, on account of these Qualities, soon take Flame: And, as it is possessed of an highly narcotic Quality, it, by its narcotic Sulphur, stupifies those who use it, corrupts the Temperature of the Brain, and destroys its Tone; whereas, the moderate Smoaking ofMarjoram,Betony,Rosemary,Amber, and other Substances of a like Nature, would eliminate the Phlegm more safely, and without producing any of these ill Consequences. This narcotic Quality ofTobacco, is the Reason why great Smoakers are, during the whole of their Lives, afflicted with a continual Spitting, as I have observed inHistor. Pompinellæ Class. secund. Quadripartit.Though by the frequent Use ofTobacco, a large Quantity of Phlegm is eliminated from the Brain; this Plant is not, therefore, a peculiar Specific, adapted to that Organ: For, on the contrary, since it manifestly abounds with a narcotic Sulphur, it is highly injurious, not only to the Nerves, but also to the whole Substance of the Brain. Hence, as I observed before, many Users ofTobacco, not only have their olfactory Nerves so injured by its narcotic Sulphur, as to lose the Sense of Smelling, but are also observed not to have a very exquisite Taste, the fourth and seventh Pairs of Nerves being affected. Persons of this Kind are also observed to be fond of Malt Liquors, and to complain of a languid Appetite; because the sixth Pair of Nerves, which descends into the Stomach, is stupified by the narcotic Sulphur of theTobacco: It is, therefore, absurd to maintain, thatTobaccois of a cephalic Quality, and peculiarly adapted to the Disorders of the Head, since it is so unfriendly to the Nerves as to produce a Stupor in them. It is more reasonable to argue thus:Tobaccois hot, consists of very subtle Parts, and is highly penetrating; therefore, being at the same Time narcotic, it will prove the more hurtful, the more penetrating it is; because the narcotic Quality ofTobacco, which is otherwise slow, like that ofOpium, orHemlock, is, by its other Qualities, exalted, and put in Action;or, to speak my Sentiments more freely, by means of the Acrimony ascribed to its Salt, whether fixed or volatile, the narcotic Sulphur is conveyed in its full Strength to the Nerves of the Head. That this Sulphur remains pretty long intire, even in a living Person, is sufficiently evinced, by that Saffron-coloured Liquor, smelling likeTobacco, which was discharged from the Nostrils ofHeurnius, next Day after the Abuse of a Decoction ofTobaccoandCamomileFlowers. I would not have any one imagine, that as soon as he lays by his Pipe, his Brain is no longer heated by the Smoak, which, for two or three Days after, he smells, or expires, when he sneezes. Thus, this narcotic, unctuous, and strong-smelled Sulphur, adhering to the Membranes, Ventricles, Gyrations, or other latent Passages of the Brain, and being left alone without either Smoak or Heat, gradually and insensibly corrupts the whole Mass of the Brain, by which MeansTobacco-Smoakers are obliged to spit and expectorate continually. When the Brain is thus weakened by the copious Spitting excited by the narcotic Sulphur, neither theTonsilsnor theThymus, which are destined for imbibing the natural excrementitious Humours of the Brain, are any longer fit for that Purpose. When such an Accident happens, theTobacco-Smoaker begins to yawn, to have ahoarse and shrill Voice, and a stinking Breath, like those labouring under aLues Venerea.
I think I have now sufficiently proved, that asTobaccois of a narcotic Quality, and its Fumes penetrate intimately into the Brain, so, of course, Smoaking must be more prejudicial than Snuffing. But, if People will still obstinately indulge themselves in the Use of this noxious Plant, all I can do farther, is to warn them of their Danger.