Qualities. Odour, strong, narcotic, and fœtid; Taste, bitter, and extremely acrid; Colour, yellowish green, (its brown appearance is artificial, being produced by the action of sulphate of iron.) Chemical Composition. Mucilage, albumen, gluten, extractive, a bitter principle, an essential oil, nitrate of potass, which occasions its deflagration, muriate of potass, and a peculiar proximate principle upon which the properties of the plant are supposed to depend, and which has therefore been named Nicotin.[[658]] Vauquelin considers it as approaching the volatile oils in its properties; it is colourless, has an acrid taste, and the peculiar smell of tobacco, and occasions violent sneezing; with alcohol and water, it produces colourless solutions, from which it is thrown down by tincture of galls. Solubility. Tobacco yields its active matter both to water and spirit, but more perfectly to the latter; long coction weakens its powers. An oil of tobacco of a most powerful nature, may be obtained by distilling the leaves and separating it from the water, on the top of which it will be found to float.[[659]] Med. Uses. Tobacco is endued with energetic poisonous properties, producing generally a universal tremor which is rarely the result of other poisons; the experiments of M. Orfila moreover demonstrate, that the action of Tobacco is much more energetic when the soluble portion is injected into the anus, than when it is applied to the cellular texture, and for a still stronger reason, than when introduced into the stomach. Mr. Brodie, from the result of a well devised experiment, has deduced the conclusion that the infusion of Tobacco acts upon the heart, occasioning syncope, through the medium of the nervous system. Uses. As a powerful sedative, it is sometimes valuable in medical practice; the leaves, when applied in the form of a cataplasm to the pit of the stomach, produce an emetic operation; (Form. 67.) In cases of obstinate constipation, depending upon violent spasmodic constriction, or in ileus, or incarcerated hernia, clysters of the smoke of Tobacco, or of an infusion made according to the London College, produce almost immediate relief, (Form. 26.); the practice is not unfrequently attended with severe vomiting, extreme debility, and cold sweats, circumstances which render its administration highly dangerous in cases wherein the patient has been already exhausted by previous suffering. I remember witnessing a lamentable instance of this truth some years ago; a medical practitioner, after repeated trials to reduce a strangulated hernia, injected an infusion of Tobacco, and shortly afterwards sent the patient in a carriage to the Westminster Hospital, for the purpose of undergoing the operation; but the unfortunate man arrived only a few minutes before he expired. Clysters of Tobacco were some years ago recommended in America, for the purpose of forwarding difficult parturition, by inducing relaxation and consequent dilatation of the os uteri, but the alarming symptoms which followed the single case in which Tobacco was thus employed, ought, says Dr. Merriman, to prevent a repetition of the experiment.[[660]] It was also formerly proposed to inject infusions of Tobacco, for the purpose of recovering persons in a state of asphyxia from drowning; it is difficult to explain how such an idea could have entered into the mind of the rational physiologist. Smoking or chewing Tobacco has been also advised in cases of spasmodic asthma, and as a general sedative to relieve suffering; in the process of smoking, the oil is separated, and being rendered empyreumatic by heat, it is thus applied to the fauces in its most active state. As a diuretic it was successfully exhibited by Dr. Fowler, but as its operation is uncertain and violent, and appears to be very analogous to that of Digitalis, which is far more safe and manageable, it has been very judiciously discarded from practice. The external application of Tobacco in the form of cataplasm or infusion, has been applied to several species of cutaneous disease, but even in this state it is liable to exert its virulent effects. A woman applied to the heads of three children afflicted with tinea capitis, a liniment consisting of powdered tobacco and butter, soon after which they experienced vertigo, violent vomiting, and fainting. (Ephemerides des Curieux de la Nature, Dec. ii. An: i. p. 46.) A case has just occurred in this country of a child whose death was occasioned by her having swallowed a portion of half-smoked tobacco, which was taken from the pipe of her father, and in which there no doubt existed a quantity of essential oil, which had been separated by the act of smoking. It is a curious fact, that the juice of the green leaves instantly cures the stinging of nettles.
Adulterations. When it exhales a fetid odour, we may infer that it has been badly prepared, and not deprived of all its mucus; when pungent, the presence of some deleterious drug is indicated: Cascarilla is very usually added to impart a peculiar flavour; Nitre is also employed for the sake of making it kindle more rapidly, and to impress a lively sensation on the tongue; its vapour is of course very injurious to the lungs: its presence may be detected by treating a suspected sample with hot water, and after filtering the solution through charcoal, setting it aside in order that it may yield its crystals by evaporation. Traces of Lead, Copper, or Antimony, may be discovered by boiling the Tobacco in strong vinegar, and, after filtering it as before, by assaying it with appropriate tests. Black Hellebore, Alum, Sugar, and Corrosive sublimate are amongst the more usual sophistications. Dried Dock leaves are also sometimes substituted. Officinal Prep: Infus: Tabacci. L. Vinum Nicotian: Tabac: E.
Snuff. This well known errhine is prepared from the dried leaves of Tobacco; in its manufacture however, numerous additions are made which are kept secret. Salt is added for the purpose of increasing its weight; Urine, Muriate of ammonia, and powdered Glass, to heighten its acrimony. The varied flavour of different Snuffs is owing to the leaf being in greater or less perfection; or to its having undergone some degree of fermentation; thus, for instance, the Macouba Snuff of Martinique is principally indebted for its acknowledged superiority to the fermentation which the Tobacco undergoes, from being moistened with the best cane juice; other kinds are excited into fermentation by moistening them with melasses and water.
Snuff possesses all the powers of Tobacco; the celebrated Santeuil experienced vomiting and horrible pains, amidst which he expired, in consequence of having drank a glass of wine, into which had been put some Spanish snuff.[[661]]
TAMARINDI PULPA. L. (Tamarindus Indica.)
Tamarindus: Fructus. D.
Fructus Conditus. E.
The Pulp or preserved Fruit of the Tamarind.[[662]]
Qualities. Taste, sweetish acid; Odour, none. Chemical Composition. ℥j of Tamarinds is composed of Citric acid grs. 45, Malic acid grs. 2, Super-tartrate of potass grs. 15, together with sugar, gum, jelly, fecula, and woody fibre. Uses. A pleasant febrifuge may be formed by infusing Tamarinds in water or milk; they improve the taste of the more nauseous cathartics. Officinal Prep: Confectio Cassiæ. L.E.D. Infus: Tamarind: cum Senna. E.D. Caution. Copper vessels should never be employed for the preparation of any compound which contains Tamarinds.
TARAXACI RADIX. L.E.