Part 1

A

TREATISE

ON

_Tobacco_, _Tea_, _Coffee_, and _Chocolate_.

A

TREATISE

ON

TOBACCO, TEA, COFFEE, _and_ CHOCOLATE.

IN WHICH

I. The Advantages and Disadvantages attending the Use of these Commodities, are not only impartially considered, upon the Principles of _Medicine_ and _Chymistry_, but also ascertained by _Observation_ and _Experience_.

II. Full and distinct Directions laid down for knowing in what Cases, and for what particular Constitutions, these Substances are either beneficial, or hurtful.

III. The _Chinese_ or _Asiatic Tea_, shewn to be the same with the _European Chamelæagnus_, or _Myrtus Brabantica_.

_The Whole Illustrated with_ COPPER PLATES, _exhibiting the_ Tea _Utensils of the_ Chinese _and_ Persians.

Written originally by SIMON PAULI;

AND

Now Translated by Dr. _JAMES_.

_Ante omnia scire convenit Naturam Corporis; quia alii graciles, alii obesi sunt, alii calidi, alii frigidiores, alii humidi, alii sicciores, alios adstricta, alios resoluta, alvus exercet._

Celsus, _Lib. 1._ _Cap. 3._

_LONDON_:

Printed for T. OSBORNE, in _Gray's Inn_; J. HILDYARD, at _York_; M. BRYSON, at _Newcastle_; and J. LEAKE, at _Bath_.

M,DCC,XLVI.

A

TREATISE

ON

_TOBACCO_, &c.

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 a Method of subduing the Force of the Poison by Means of _Tobacco_.

"A Company of _Cannibals_ made an At-tack upon a Body of _Indians_ and _Spaniards_, some of whom were killed and others wounded with their poisoned Darts. But as those who survived had no _Sublimate_, they were advised by a certain _Indian_ to pour the expressed Juice of _Tobacco_ into their Wounds, and then apply the triturated Leaves of the same Plant to them, by which Means their Pains were forthwith alleviated, the Symptoms checked, the Force of the Poison subdued, and the Wounds cured. This Accident laid a Foundation for the subsequent Use of _Tobacco_ against Poisons; and the King of _Spain_, in order to be convinced of its Efficacy, ordered a Wound to be made in the Throat of a Dog, and to be anointed with the Poison used by Hunters; soon after which a large Quantity of the Juice of _Tobacco_ was poured into the Wound, and the triturated Leaves of the Plant applied to it, by which Means the Dog was effectually secured against the Symptoms usually produced by Poisons.

"_Tobacco_ Leaves laid upon pestilential and malignant Carbuncles induce an _Eschar_, and induce a Cure; nor are they a less present efficacious Remedy against the Bites of poisonous Animals.

"The Leaves, when laid upon recent Wounds, immediately stop the _Hæmorrhage_, and produce a Conglutination; but if they are large, they ought to be previously washed with Wine, their Lips brought into Contact, and sprinkled with the Juice of the Leaves, after which the triturated Leaves are to be secured upon the Wound: The same Measures are to be taken the next and subsequent Days, and a proper Regimen observed.

"An Instillation of the Juice, and an Application of the triturated Leaves deterge, cure, and cicatrise old Ulcers and Gangrenes; provided due Evacuations are made, a sufficient Quantity of Blood, if necessary, is taken away, and a proper Regimen observed.

"By this Means Ulcers are not only cured in Men, but also in Animals. For through all the _Indies_, Cows, Sheep, and other Animals, are much subject to Ulcers, which, on Account of the excessive Humidity of the Climate, easily become putrid, and full of Worms. In these Ulcers it was sometimes customary to sprinkle _Sublimate_, the Inhabitants being destitute of better Remedies. But as this Medicine is dear in that Part of the World, what was used for the Cure of these Ulcers generally cost more than the Animal was worth. For this Reason the Inhabitants, conscious of the Efficacy of _Tobacco_ on Mankind, transferred its Use to the putrid, fetid, and wormy Ulcers of Animals; and accordingly found that its Juice instilled into them, not only killed the Worms, but also cleansed the Ulcers, and induced a _Cicatrix_. _Tobacco_ is also good against the Gallings of Cattle, for which Reason the _Indians_ always carry the Powder of it about with them.

"I knew a certain Person afflicted with Ulcers of the Nostrils, which discharged a seemingly contagious _Sanies_. By my Advice he dropped the Juice of _Tobacco_ into them; after the second Instillation a large Number of Worms fell away; then a smaller Quantity and after a few Days the Ulcers were cured, though the Parts eroded were not restored. The rubbing Ring-worms and Scall'd Heads with _Tobacco_ Leaves is also a beneficial Practice.

"_Tobacco_ is the celebrated Plant used by the _Indian_ Priests before they give their Responses; for it is customary among the _Indians_ to consult the Priests with respect to the Event of Wars, and other Affairs of Importance. Upon such Occasions, the Priest consulted, burnt dry _Tobacco_ Leaves, received the Smoak of them into his Mouth through a small Tube contrived for that Purpose, then dropt down as it were in an Extasy, lay totally destitute of Motion, and remained in that Condition for some Time. When the Fumes of the _Tobacco_ were discussed, he returned to himself, told that he had communicated the Affair to his Demon, and gave such ambiguous Responses, that, whatever the Event should be, the superstitious Crowd might be easily perswaded, that he had prophesied rightly. Thus the credulous _Barbarians_ are miserably hood-wink'd by the impious and fraudulent Stratagems of their Priests.

"The common People among the _Indians_ also receive the Smoak of _Tobacco_ into their Mouths and Nostrils, when they want either to be transported with pleasant Dreams, or to predict the Events of their Affairs from the Occurrences which happen to them during Sleep; for as the grand Impostor, the Devil, knows the Virtues of Herbs, he has taught them the Qualities of _Tobacco_, in order to deceive them by means of these Dreams.

"Various Plants, when chewed, or taken internally, are observed to excite false and delusory Representations and Ideas of Objects. Thus _Dioscorides_, in Cap. de _Solano Maniaco, seu Furioso_, tells us, that a Dram of the Root of this Plant, drank in Wine, produces false, tho' not unpleasant Representations; that double the Quantity produces an Alienation of Mind, which lasts for three Days; and that four Times the Quantity proves mortal. It is also reported, that if a Person, when he is going to sleep, eats _Aniseeds_, they excite pleasant and agreeable Dreams; whereas, the eating of _Horse-Raddish_ procures those of a turbulent and ungrateful Kind.

"_Garcias ab Orta_ informs us, that the Juice of a certain Plant called _Bangue_, mixed with some other Juices, produces Alienation of Mind, excites Dreams, and frees the Mind from all Anxiety and Uneasiness: The like Effects are brought about by _Opium_, which is much used by the _East-Indians_, and concerning which _Garcias_ has treated very largely.

"The _Indians_ also, when fatigued by carrying Burdens, or by any other violent Exercise, smoak _Tobacco_, by which Means they become as it were stupid, and fall asleep; but when they awake, they find themselves refreshed, and their Strength repaired. The _Ethiopians_ brought thither as Slaves, following the Example of the Natives, smoak _Tobacco_ too frequently, for which their Masters chastise them severely, and burn their _Tobacco_, in order to deprive them of an Opportunity of using it, which, however, they continue to do secretly and in private.

"_Tobacco_ is also used by the _Indians_ in order to allay Hunger and Thirst; for they calcine some Shells of River-Snails, and by Trituration reduce them to a fine Powder, of which, and _Tobacco_ Leaves, they take equal Parts, and chew them together till they are reduced to a Kind of Mass, which they form into Pills, larger than a Pea: These they dry in a Shade, and preserve for Use. When they intend to travel through Desarts, where they expect neither Meat nor Drink, they take a sufficient Quantity of these Pills along with them, put one between their Under-Lip and Teeth, and constantly suck the Liquor from it; so that when one is consumed, they supply its Place with another, and thus they perform a three, and sometimes a four Days Jour-ney; during which Time, they say, they neither feel the Effects of Hunger nor Thirst: The Reason of this probably is, that as they continually suck these Pills, they draw the pituitous Humours from the Brain, which being swallowed, moisten the Stomach, and allay its natural Heat, but are at last consumed by it for Want of other Aliments. Instances of a similar Nature may be observed in many Animals, which, during the whole _Winter_, confine themselves to their Holes without any Food; because the natural Heat of the Stomach is employed in digesting and consuming the Fat which they had gathered in the _Winter_."

These are all the Virtues and Qualities of _Tobacco_ known to _Monardus_: But, besides this, _Zacutus_, in _Observat. Lib. 1. de Medic. Princip. Histor._ informs us, that he had often found the Juice of _Tobacco_ effectual for the Cure of an _Alopecia_ or Falling off of the Hairs: Nor is this to be wondered at, since, as the Medicine indicated ought to bear an Analogy to the indicating Symptoms, as _Tobacco_ is hot and dry, resolvent, cleansing, and somewhat astringent; and as all these Qualities are, according to _Galen_, indicated in an _Alopecia_, _Zacutus_ might succeed in the Cure of it by means of _Tobacco_. I remember two Girls, who being indisposed, had a _Lixivium_, in which dry _Tobacco_ Leaves were macerated, prescribed for taking the Scales off their Heads; but the one was seized with a gentle _Vertigo_, and the other thought she perceived herself, as it were, drunk. But I mention these Accidents for the Sake of young Practitioners, without any Design to discourage them from applying _Tobacco_ and its Preparations to other Parts of the Body; for the celebrated _Hartmann_ seems to have thought the Essence of the green Leaves of _Tobacco_, obtained by Infusion in _Malmsey_ Wine, a Specific for the Cure of the _Palsey_; and after a Sweat has been procured, orders the paralytic Limbs to be long rubbed with it; by which Means, he says, he has often seen them happily restored.

Though _Tobacco_ is a valuable Herb, yet the Abuse of it, which we shall afterwards consider, is intolerable, and highly noxious. Besides, _Monardus_, _Ægidius Everartus_, in 1587, at _Antwerp_, published a beautiful Commentary upon the Virtues and Uses of _Tobacco_: And when the same Work was reprinted at _Utrecht_ in 1644, various Treatises concerning _Tobacco_ were added to it; such as the _Misocapnus_, or a Treatise on the Abuse of _Tobacco_, taken from the Works of King _James_ the Sixth of _England_; _Tobacologia Johannis Neandri_. _Epistolæ ac Judicia clarissimorum aliquot Medicorum_; and the _Hymnus Tabaci Raphaelis Thorii_. After these Authors appeared _Chrysostomus Magnenus_, Professor of Medicine in the University of _Padua_, who in 1648, published very learned Exercitations concerning _Tobacco_. Not only from the Authors already mentioned, but also from _Andreas Cæsalpinus_; _Dalechampius's Historia generalis Plantarum_; _Lobelii Adversaria_, _Clusius in his Notæ ad Monardum_; _Dodonæus_; _Tabernamontanus_; _Nardi Antonii Recchi Res Medicæ Novæ Hispaniæ, cum Terentii Lyncei Notis_, we learn what is the native Soil of _Tobacco_, and how the knowledge of it was introduced into _Europe_ after the Discovery of _America_ by _Christopher Columbus_ and _Americus Vesputius_. Some of these Authors have also described its Virtues and Use, whilst others of them have treated very fully concerning the Abuse of it. Following the Example of these great Men, I shall proceed, without any Partiality, and with that Freedom which is always peculiar to Truth. This is certainly a difficult Attempt, considering the Opposition and Prejudice with which I have to grapple. But before I proceed, I shall take Notice of the Error of _Libavius_, who, according to _Magnenus_ in _Exercitat. 1. Par. 1._ asserts, that _Tobacco_ was a Native of _Europe_, since it was found in the almost inaccessible Places of the _Hercynian_ Forest: But adds this Author, _Who denies that Seeds are dispersed, and carried every where by the Winds?_ But it is by no means probable, that the Seeds of _Tobacco_, which, comparatively speaking, are as small as the Atoms of _Democritus_, could, by a Whirlwind, be conveyed to the _Hercynian_ Forest in _Germany_, from _France_, _Italy_, or _Spain_, much less from _America_. This is a Plant of a particular specific Kind, and the Native of _America_: Neither does any Historian mention such a Whirlwind for the Dispersion of its Seeds. It is true, Mount _Ætna_ in _Sicily_, and Mount _Hecla_ in _Iceland_, by their sulphureous Eruptions, throw the Ashes to a vast Distance: But it does not to me seem probable, that the Air should ever be in such a gyratory Motion, as to convey Seeds from one Quarter of the World to another, or from one Country to another, though it is not to be denied but they may be carried from a Plain to a rising Ground, or from one Garden to another adjacent to it.

Those Authors, who have called _Tobacco_ _Herba rixosa_, the Strife-producing Herb, and _Herba insana_, the Plant which excites Madness, seem not to have been very much in the wrong; for what is more frequent than for People of all Denominations to spend the whole of the Day smoaking _Tobacco_ in Ale-Houses and Taverns? Nay, so fond are young and old Men of _Tobacco_, that the Father forgets the Interests of the Son, and the Son those of the Father for its Sake. Thus some Men use large Quantities of _Tobacco_, whilst, perhaps, their Families are starving at Home: Whereas some Children spend upon _Tobacco_ what their industrious Parents had, with Toil and Care, amassed for their Use. Nay, such is the Madness of some _Europeans_, that they will, for a Trifle, dispose of their Goods, in order to gratify themselves with _Tobacco_.

* * * * *

King _James_ the Sixth of _England_ tells us, "that, among the _Americans_, a Servant addicted to the Smoaking of _Tobacco_, can hardly find a Purchaser; so odious is that Custom to the Authors of it themselves." We _Europeans_, however, are so infatuated and hood-winked, as yearly to sail to _America_, spare no Expences, and expose ourselves not only to Storms and Tempests, but also to Sickness and Death, for the Sake of _Tobacco_; and it is certain, that our Men, on their Return from _America_, spread through all _Europe_ the _Neapolitan_ Disease, which, as _Fiorovanta_ thinks, was endemial to the _Americans_, on Account of their eating human Flesh. This, to use the Phrase of _Agrippa, de Vanitat. Scientiarum_, Cap. 84. _is to purchase Death at a great Price_. The _Indians_ and _Barbarians_ have such an Aversion to the Abuse of _Tobacco_, that they severely chastise the _Ethiopians_ and Slaves for it, and burn their _Tobacco_; probably, because they suspect that it renders them valetudinary, and disables them to work; in which Situation they are a Burthen upon their Masters. According to _Viganenus_, in _Lib. de Ritibus Moribusq_; _Turcarum_; and _Johannes Chrysostomus Magnenus_, in _Exercitat. de Tabac. Exercit._ 6. §. 10. _Amureth_, the 4th Emperor of the _Turks_, by an Edict, prohibited the Use of _Tobacco_, under Pain of Death, lest, by the Abuse of it, his Subjects should become effeminate, feeble, and barren. According to _Adamus Olearius_, in _Lib. 3. Cap. 6._ the Emperor of _Muscovy_, in 1634, by an Edict prohibited the Importation of _Tobacco_ and _Snuff_ into his Territories, under the Penalty of being beat with Rods, and having the Nostrils slit in Case of Disobedience: And the same Author says, he saw some who had these Marks of Infamy inflicted upon them. In _Lib. 5. Cap. 31._ he also tells us, that _Schach Abas_, the _Persian_ Monarch, prohibited all Use of _Tobacco_ in that Army, which he raised against _Tameran Chan_ under the Penalty of the Offender's having his Nose and Lips cut off; nay, he was so rigid, or rather cruel in his Discipline, that when a certain _Persian_, ignorant of the Edict, came into his Camp with some _Tobacco_ to sell, he ordered both him and his Commodities to be thrown into one Funeral Pile and burnt.

* * * * *