"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.