The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1884-12-30
TOBACCO AS A MEDICINE
It is Pronounced the Greatest
Cure all in the Materia
Medica.
General Clingman Claims for II
Universal Curative Pro
perties,

Ashviile North Carolina well known
throughout the south for his services
in the late war has been giving his
attention 10 developing the curative
properties of tobacco and has publish
ed a series of letters thereon in the
last number of Health and Home
he says among other things l am
asked what kind of tobacco ought to
be used, and how it is to be applied,
and for what cases of Injury or
disease. With view of meeting such
inquiries aud afording the infOrma-
tion necessary TO enable all persons
properly to use this great remedy |
will try to present condensed state
ment.
1 formerly used the ordinary manu-
featured tobacco in such cakes as it
could be had at the cigar stands in
the hotels. A cake of this thrown
into bowl of cold water in an hour
or less would become soft and spopgy,
and could be separated SO that the
leaves could be obtained, but for
reasons heretofore published in my
original do not advise that form for
use. About three years ago | ascer-
tanned by some experiments that OF
late the tobacco manufactures mix
with. their tobacco for improving its
favor certain poisonous drugs, such
as Tonka bean, wintergreen, and
some other things. Though such
tobacco may serve beneficial purpose,
yet I would prefer to use the leaf be-
fore it has been manufactured. Again,
the darker leaves being stronger are
better than the light yellow leaves of
the tobacco cut last year are better
than those freshly cut in this season,
as tobacco seems TO gather strength
with age.
A bunch of these leaves thrown
into bowl of cold water will become
moist and soft, so that the large stem
in the centre may be taken out. Hot
water will answer the purpose sooner
than cold, but either will do.
When this has been done. not les
than two thicknesses of the leaf should
be placed directly on the part to be
relieved. As, however, the heat of
the skin tends to dry the tobacco in a
few minutes, a wet bandage must be
laid over it. About four thicknesses
of common white cotton cloth will be
sufficient, but this should be well
soaked in the water before it is put on,
then a bandage of the same cloth
may be tied over it and water from
time to time should be applied by
pressing a wet rag on it so as to keep
the tobacco moist.
Tobacco in this manner may be ap-
piled directly on cut or a wound
or any raw place without injury.
The first effect of the tobacco, how
ever. is stimulating or slightly irrItat-
ing but this after few minutes ceases
and the sedative effect soon comes on.
When, for example, the tobacco is
placed on the eye, as a little of the
Juice gets in between the eyelids some
smarting or itching is felt, but after
q few minutes this ceases, and no
more effect is produced on the feelings
than if a wet cloth were kept over the
eye.
Within less than an hour the soda
tive effect is perceived, and within
two hours usually all external infam-
nations are reduced. Obstinate cases,
of course, require longer applications
Most persons sleep under the In
fuence of tobacco but some do not,
just as morphine causes some persons
to sleep while others are wakeful.
When / have tobacco on it is impos-
sible for me to sleep, but instead un-
usual mental activity is produced.
which continues throughout the next
day following a nights application.
As long as there is inflammation
about the part no nausea will be felt.
As soon, however, as nausea is per-
ceived the poultice may be removed,
as the sedative effect has been produc-
ed. After the removal Of the ban6age
the nausea passes away In short
tine.
When one wishes to cure a buniou
or a corn, after the tobacco has been
applied as above directed, it is easy
getting the sock over it, and by moisten-
ing the sock from time to time a cure
is easily effected in single night.
/ will now proceed 10 refer to such
cases as have been cured by the use
of tobacco. In making this state.
ment | shall only mention cases that
] have observed myself, or such as
have been stated by persons of good
character and standing. If l were to
give their statements at length a vol.
ume would be required to contain
them. Therefore only give undoubt.