The farmer and mechanic. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1877-1885, 1884-12-17
The Tobacco Remedy.
AsHEvILLE, n. C.. Nov. 26. 1891

L formerly uSeu the ordinary mauufac-
tured tobacco In such cakes as it could
be had at the cigar stands IN the hotels.
A plug OF this thrown into a bowl OF
cold water in an hour or less would he
come soft and spongy, and could be
separated SO that the leaves could he
obtained, but for reasons heretofore pub
llshed IN my original article l do not
advise that form for use. About three
years ago l ascertained by some expert
ments that of late the tobacco manu-
lecturers mix with their tobacco for the
purpose of improving it's flavor certain
poisonous drugs, such as Tonka bean.
W~lntergreen, n some other things.
lhough such tobacco may serve a benz
efIclal purpose, yet l would prefer to use
the leaf before 1T has been manufactured.
Again. the darker leaves being stronger
are better than the light yellow leaves.
Also leaves Of the tobacco cut last wear
are better than those freshly cut in this
season, as tobacco seems to gather
strength with age.
A bunch OF these leaves thrown into
a bowl OF cold water will become moist
and soft, so that the large stem in the
centre may be taken out. Hot water
VIII answer the purpose sooner than
cold. but either will do.
When this has been done, not less
than two thicknesses of The Leaf should
be PLACED directly on the part to be re-
lleved. As, however, the heat of the
SKIN tends to dry The tobacco in a few
minutes, a wet bandage must be laid
over 1t. About iou thicknesses 0 fcom-
mon white cotton cloth will be sufficient,
but this should be well soaked in the
water before 1t is put on, then a band
age OF the same cloth nay be tied over
1t ana water from time 20 time should
be applied by pressing 4 wet rag on it
so as to keep the tobacco moist.
Tobacco In this manner may be APP
pied directly on a cut or a wound or
any raw place without injury. The first
effect OF the tobacco, however, is stimu-
latlng or slightly irritating, but this after
a lew minutes ceases and the sedatiye
effect soon comes on. When, for exam
pie, the tobacco is placed on the eye. as
a little of the juice gets in fbetweea the
eyelids some smarting oritching Is felt,
but after a few minutes this ceases, and
no more effect is produced on the feel
Jugs than if a wet cloth were kept over
the eye.
Within less than an hour the sedative
effect is perceived, and within two hours
usually all external inflammationg are
reduced. Obstinate cases, Of course, re-
qulre longer applications.
Most persons sleep under the influence
of tobacco but some do not. just as NOR
phine causes some persons to sleep
while others are waktul When l have
tobacco on it is impossible for me to
sleep, but instead unusual meutal actiy-
ity Is produced, which continues through
out the next day following nights APP
plication.
As long as there is inflammation
about the part no nausea will be
felt. AS soon, however, as nausea is
perceived the poultice may be removed,
as the sedative effect has been produce
ed. After the removal of the bandage
the nausea passes away in a short time.
When one wishes to. cure a bunion or
a corn, after the tobacco has been appli-
ed as above directed, it is easy to get
the sock over it, and by moistening the
sock from time to time a cure is usually
effected in a single night.
l will now proceed to refer to such
cases as have been cured by the use of
tobacco. In making this statement /
shall only mention cases that l have
observed myself, or such as have been
stated by person of good character and
standing. If were to give their state
ments at length a volume would De re-
quired to contain them. | therefore ouly
give undoubted facts.
To begin with the head, | may say
that all cases of erysipelas, whether on
the head, face, or any other part of the
body, are cured. In some cases where
the head was swollen to almost double
its usual size. and the patient was sup
posed by the attending physician about
to die, application of tobacco effected q
complete cure. 81
Again. all cases of sore eyes, whetl-
er caused by injury or of disease, aud
whether old cases or fresh ones, have
been cured. In some cases where there
was total blindness a cure was at once
effected and the sight restored perfectly.
In the third place, all ounds wheth-
er cuts, bruises, or contusions have been
easily cured. Sprains of the knee or
ankle joints, where they were swelled
to double the natural size, have been
completely cured by a single nights APP
plication. Old cases where the patient
had suffered for months and years have
been cured.
In all cases where the remedy was
tried. bunions and corns on the feet have
been cured even where in some cases
they were said to be forty years old.
All cases of for throat are cured, wheth-
caused by d~iphtheria, Group, scarlet
-r quinsy. In more than one in
stance the patient was cured when SEEM
at the point of death and the case
pronounced hopeless by the attending
aa
All bone felons have been cured usu-
ally by a single nights application OF
the tobacco 81 a1SJGo
| have been informed of a number of
cases in which the tobacco was applied
as a remedy for hemorrhoids, and IN
every instance a single nights's applica-
ton is represented to have effected a
cure. If tobacco should be applied to a
wound neither modification nor lockjaw
would ever supervene. In one case OF
where the surgeon had pro-
nounced the case hopeless, according to
the published statementof a gentleman,
a was cure effected by the application OF
tobacco poultice TO the stomach.
For Cholera morbus, an application OF
tobacco to the stomach gives relief. A
Senator told me that when suffering
from constipation most terribly he had
physicians with him for four days
and nights, with no advantage from
their remedies, and wher the pain be-
so intolerable that he felt that he
not get through the night, remem-
berins what l had told him about to-
bacco, he caused it to be- applied to his
side and back, and in half an hour ne
-. uod and madiatAIy recovered.