The Tobacco Reference Guide by David Moyer

by David Moyer, MD.

Chapter 4 History of tobacco in chronological order

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History of tobacco in chronological order: 1700

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As a "revenge of the Indians," the spread of tobacco makes the introduction of syphilis

into the new world pale by comparison when the enormous toll in death and disease

is considered...Perhaps the most dramatic description of the Indians' revenge was

given by "the tobacco fiend" at the court of Lucifer in an 18th century epic: Thus do I

take in full upon the Spaniards for all their cruelty to the Indians; since by acquainting

their conqerors with the use of tobacco I have done them greater injury than even the

King of Spain through his agents ever did his victims; for it is both more honorable

and more natural to die by a pike thrust or a cannon ball than from the ignoble effects

of poisonous tobacco.

Quote from Nicotine, p. 28

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A physician's description in 1716 of tobacco's effects: "Tobacco resolves, cleanses,

purges, vomits, stupefies the brain, resists poison and is a very great vulnerary. The

external application of the leaves (moistened and beat with a little wine) to the head,

easeth the megrim, and other pains thereof; to the joints, the pains of gout; to the hips,

the sciatica; to the teeth, the toothache; to the skin, it remedies all deformities and

beautifies it; to the rib'd heels, it heals them; to the shins, the pains proceeding from

the French Disease. Made into an ointment or balsam, it cures all manner of tumors,

ulcers, old sores, fistulas, scabs, breakings out, itch, bitings, stingings of venomous

beasts, punctures of the nerves and tendons, though made with poisoned weapons,

happening in any part of the body from head to foot; it cures scalds, burns, piles, and

gouts of all sorts."

Population and Development Review, June 1990, p. 215

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The Iroquois of New York placed wads of tobacco inside the mouth to ease toothache

pain. Other Native Americans made tobacco pastes and poultices to treat burns,

sores, colds, dysentery, rheumatism, colic, sciatica, and snake, insect, and mad dog

bites.

Health Education, June 1987, p. 6

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