A Treatise on Tobacco, Tea, Coffee, and Chocolate. Simon Paulli

      As Nicolaus Monardus, in Simpl. Med. Histor. has given so full and accurate an History and Description of Tobacco, that others have only borrowed their Accounts of it from his Works, we shall, in the Words of that Author, in Cap. 14, inform the Reader what Tobacco is, where it is produced, and to what Uses it is applied.

      "The Plant Tobacco, says he, was formerly used by the Indians, and especially by the Inhabitants of New Spain, for the Cure of Wounds. A few Years ago it was imported into Spain, rather for the Decoration of Gardens, than on Account of its medicinal Virtues: But it is now more celebrated for the latter, than used for the former.

      "This Plant is among the Indians called Picelt; for the Spaniards first called it Tobacco from 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 the Lemon-Tree. Its Trunk is strait, and sends out many large Branches, which bear Leaves almost resembling those of the Lemon-Tree, but larger, like those of the Burdock, 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 the Black 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 the Indies, 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 the Citron-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.

      "Tobacco is 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 of Tobacco heated and applied, prove an excellent Remedy for a Cephalæa, and Hemicrania, 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 the Head with the Oil obtained from the Flowers of the Orange-Tree. The same Remedy is beneficial for a Rigidity of the Neck or Tetanus, 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 of Tobacco, 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 a Linctus prepared 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 Ashes and 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.

      "The Indian Women greatly extol the Use of Tobacco, not only for Children, but also for adult Persons who are afflicted with Crudities of the Stomach; for after anointing the Abdomen with 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 of Tobacco Leaves, 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. Tobacco is also in many Cases an useful Ingredient in Clysters, Fomentations, and Plaisters.

      "In Suffocations of the Uterus, the Leaves rendered sufficiently hot, and applied to the Navel, and Region of the Uterus, afford present Relief; and if a Deliquium should succeed, which it frequently does, the Patient will be forthwith roused from it by blowing the Smoak of Tobacco up her Nostrils. This Practice is so common among the Indian Women, that for this very Reason they carefully preserve and greatly esteem Tobacco Leaves. Some for uterine Disorders previously apply odorous Substances to the Navel, and then lay Tobacco Leaves over them: But the most proper Substances for this Purpose, are Tachamahach, Oil of liquid Amber, Peruvian Balsams, Caranna, or a Plaister of all these together worn daily on the Navel.

      "Arthritic Pains, 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, that Chilblanes are cured by rubbing them three or four Times with Tobacco Leaves, and then washing the Hands and Feet in warm Water and Salt.

      "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