THE MEDICAL QUALITIES OF TOBACCO.

Of the properties attributable to the plant in the Materia Medica, a variety of opinions prevail, and have done, indeed, since its first appearance in the civilized portion of the globe. It certainly cannot but strike the reader as a fact to be very greatly lamented, that science should be so unfixed, even in this much boasted-of-enlightened æra, that some medical men should be found to ascribe every bad and pernicious quality to the use of tobacco; and others, equally celebrated for their professional knowledge, recommend it as a panacea for many ills. Reflection makes this still more dreadful, when we consider these are the men to whose abilities we are frequently compelled to look up, for the preservation of our healths and lives. It would be well, indeed, if this lamentable difference of opinion among the facult existed only in reference to our present subject.

We shall now, however, proceed to note some of the ideas of the learned that have been expressed concerning the qualities of the herb, in pharmacy, and quote our first specimen in the following poem, by the famous Dr. Thorious, who most sagely recommends it as an antidote for every evil under the sun.

A LATIN POEM,

By Raphael Thorious.

(Translated into English by the Rev. W. Bewick.)

The herb which borrows Santa Croce’s name,
Sore eyes relieves and healeth wounds; the same
Discusses the kings evil, and removes
Cancers and boils; a remedy it proves
For burns and scalds, repels the nauseous itch,
And straight recovers from convulsive fits;
It cleanses, dries, binds up, and maketh warm;
The head-ach, tooth-ach, cholic, like a charm
It easeth soon; an ancient cough relieves,
And to the reyns and milt and stomach gives
Quick riddance from the pains which each endures,
Next the dire wounds of poison’d arrows cures;
All bruises heals, and when the gum once sore,
It makes them sound and healthy as before:
Sleep it procures, our anxious sorrows lays,
And with new flesh the naked bone arrays;
No herb hath greater pow’r to rectify
All the disorders in the breast that lie;
Or in the lungs. Herb of immortal fame,
Which hither first by Santa Croce came;
When he (his time of nunclature expir’d)
Back from the court of Portugal retir’d,
Even as his predecessors, great and good.
All Christendom now with its presence blesses,
And still the illustrious family possesses
The name of Santa Croce, rightly given,
Since they in all respects resemble heaven:
Procure as much as mortal men can do,
The welfare of our souls and bodies too.

Dr. Cullen observes, that tobacco is generally recognized for its narcotic powers, as well as being a very considerable stimulant, with respect to the whole system, but more especially the stomach and intestines, and acts even in small doses as an emetic and purgative.

The editors of the Edinburgh Dispensary also remark, that of late, tobacco under the form of a vinous or watery infusion, given in small quantities, so as to produce little effect by its action on the stomach, has been found a very useful and powerful diuretic.

Dr. Fowler published some cases of dropsy and dysury, in which its application was attended with the best effects, and this has been confirmed by the practice of others. Beaten into a mash with vinegar or brandy, it has sometimes proved highly serviceable for removing hard tumours of the hypochondres. Two cases of cure are published in the ‘Edinburgh Essays.’