tobacco

(to-bak’o) [L. tab’acum]. The dried and prepared leaves of Nicotia’na tab’acum, a solanaceous plant. Tobacco contains the alkaloid s:cot in, and unites the qualities of a sedative narcotic with those of an emetic and diuretic. It is aiso a heart depre ant and antispasmodic. It is employed as a relaxant and anodyne in orchitis. as a poultice, and in intestinal obstruction by rectal injection. Internally it is used in tetanus and poisoning by strychnin. Its smoke is inhaled in asthma and spasmodic laryngitis, and the juice is applied locally for the destruction of parasites. t.-heart, a cardiac disturbance due to exce ive use of tobacco. Indian t., lobelia.