2. (Raspail.) These are made by loosely filling a quill or large straw with small fragments of camphor, closing the open end with a little cotton wool or bibulous paper, and piercing the closed end with a pin, to allow the passage of air.
Obs. Both the above are used unlighted by drawing the air through them into the mouth, which then becomes very slightly charged with the vapour of camphor. In cold weather the vaporisation is promoted by holding the cigarette for a few minutes in the warm hand. The homœopathists regard them as prophylactic of cholera, and the common people hold them to possess the same virtue in reference to contagious diseases generally, but especially typhus and scarlet fever. They should not be employed oftener than 3 or 4 times a day.
Cigars, Hen′bane. Syn. Cigarr′æ hyoscy′ami, L. From henbane leaves, as directed under Belladonna Cigars.
Cigars, Indian Hemp. The plant is made into cigarettes, which are used in asthma. They must be used with caution.
Cigars, Mercu′′rial. Syn. Cigarr′æ mercuria′les, L. Prep. (Paul Bernard.) Ordinary cigars are deprived of their narcotic properties by soaking them in water, and are then wetted with a weak solution of corrosive sublimate, to which a little opium is generally added. The proportion may be, of corrosive sublimate, 1 gr.; rectified spirit, 20 drops; dissolve; add laudanum, 15 drops; with this solution 6 cigars are to be equally moistened to within about 11⁄2 inch of the mouth end, and then set aside to dry.
Used by persons afflicted with syphilitic affections of the throat and palate, as a convenient method of mercurial fumigation. For those accustomed to the use of tobacco, mild cigars, undeprived of their nicotine, may be employed for the purpose.
Cigars, Scent′ed. Syn. Perfu′′med cigars; Cigarr′æ aromat′icæ, L. Prep. 1. By moistening ordinary cigars with a strong tincture of cascarilla, to which a little gum benzoin and storax may be added. Some persons add a small quantity of camphor, or of oil of cloves or cassia.
2. By soaking the tobacco, of which the cigars are to be made, or the cigars themselves, for a short time in a very strong infusion of cascarilla, and then allowing them to dry by a very gentle heat.
3. By simply inserting very small shreds of cascarilla bark between the leaves of the cigar or in small slits made for the purpose.
Obs. The above yield a very agreeable odour when smoked; but are said to intoxicate