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.

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