Chapter V: 73

THE USE AND ABUSE OF TOBACCO

Differences of temperament interfere with general enjoyment of
the weed—Ground upon which all can agree—Its germicidal action
demonstrated in laboratory experiments—Faith of our forefathers
in tobacco’s all-healing properties—Particularly as a destroyer
of insect life on plants and animals—Liebault’s account of
Nicot’s introduction of tobacco into France and experiments
on old sores and wounds—Fame of throughout Portugal,
France—Catherine de Medici plants seeds of in her garden—George
Buchanan’s distrust of anything which bears her name—Italy’s
first instalment of the weed received from Spain—Spenser in
the Faërie Queene speaks of ‘divine tobacco’—William Lyly
calls it the ‘holy herb nicotian’—Henry Buttes on tobacco as a
dietetic—Dr. Gardiner describes its use in medicine—Harleian
Miscellany on tobacco—Dr. Thorius’s Hymnus Tabac—Pepys’
experience with tobacco—Dr. Willis on its prophylactic effects
in the plague of 1666—Dr. Diemerbroeck finds it kills contagion
during plague in Holland 1635-6—Coleridge in Cologne—Medical
profession’s changed attitude towards tobacco—Mr. Solly, of
St. Thomas’s Hospital, proclaims a crusade against smoking—Dr.
Murray at a later date speaks highly in its favour from army
experience—Private McCarthy’s quiet pipe in the hospital
yard—Soldiers’ experiences in South Africa—Government’s
changing practices in regard to contraband tobacco—Soldiers
sent out in troop-ships have first claim.