"A few Years ago Tobacco has been found to resist Poison, even that of the most virulent Kind, with which the Cannibals taint their Arrows. It was formerly customary to sprinkle Sublimate into the Wounds thus inflicted; but the Spaniards found a Method of subduing the Force of the Poison by Means of Tobacco.
"A Company of Cannibals made an At-tack upon a Body of Indians and Spaniards, some of whom were killed and others wounded with their poisoned Darts. But as those who survived had no Sublimate, they were advised by a certain Indian to pour the expressed Juice of Tobacco into 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 of Tobacco against Poisons; and the King of Spain, 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 of Tobacco was 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.
"Tobacco Leaves laid upon pestilential and malignant Carbuncles induce an Eschar, 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 the Hæmorrhage, 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 the Indies, 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 sprinkle Sublimate, 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 of Tobacco on 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 a Cicatrix. Tobacco is also good against the Gallings of Cattle, for which Reason the Indians always carry the Powder of it about with them.
"I knew a certain Person afflicted with Ulcers of the Nostrils, which discharged a seemingly contagious Sanies. By my Advice he dropped the Juice of Tobacco into 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 with Tobacco Leaves is also a beneficial Practice.
"Tobacco is the celebrated Plant used by the Indian Priests before they give their Responses; for it is customary among the Indians to consult the Priests with respect to the Event of Wars, and other Affairs of Importance. Upon such Occasions, the Priest consulted, burnt dry Tobacco Leaves, 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 the Tobacco were 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 credulous Barbarians are miserably hood-wink'd by the impious and fraudulent Stratagems of their Priests.
"The common People among the Indians also receive the Smoak of Tobacco into 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 of Tobacco, in order to deceive them by means of these Dreams.