But, without any farther Digression, I shall confine myself to the Abuse of _Tobacco_. That _Tobacco_, when used with Prudence and Propriety, is a salutary Medicine, I do not deny; since I myself use it with great Advantage in the _Spring_ and _Autumn_, at which Seasons I am afflicted with catarrhous Defluxions. Most People, when only seized with a gentle Cough, are so cautious, as not to venture upon a small Dose of the Syrup of Violets, or Liquorice, without consulting their Physicians, Friends, and Nurses; but vast Numbers of the _Europeans_, without any Advice, greatly incommode and disturb the Brain, the Seat of their Reason, by using the highly penetrating Smoak of _Tobacco_, in the Morning and Evening, in the Night as well as the Day, and in all States and Constitutions of the Weather, calm and serene, as well as cloudy and over-cast. Let us therefore lay aside this barbarous Custom, so fatal and prejudicial to Health. Besides, it is probable, that the crafty _Americans_, sensible of the vast Quantity of _Tobacco_ yearly imported into _Europe_, may, for the Sake of Gain, impose upon us; for it is certain, that our own Merchants, influenced by a base and sordid Principle of Avarice, have long ago found Methods of adulterating _Tobacco_ by Means of Brine, Lemons, Vinegar, Wine, and Euphorbium. But with respect to these Frauds, the Reader may consult _Neander_ in his _Tabacologia_. Besides, it is hardly credible, that the Roaps brought from _America_, under the Name of _Tobacco_, consist intirely of good and sound _Tobacco_ Leaves: For almost every one knows, that the Marks of the Goodness of _Tobacco_, whether drawn from the Colour, Smell, Taste, or Weight, vary very greatly among the _Europeans_, who, to their Disgrace be it said, have learned to hang their _Tobacco_, when corrupted, insipid, or light, in Houses of Office, or Vaults, in order to be rendered more acrid and ponderous by the volatile Salts of human Urine and Excrements, under a specious Pretence, that these Salts render it beneficial and salutary, by cleansing the Head; which, they say, is highly beneficial to Persons who drink much. But this is certainly an improper and prejudicial Method of treating the Head, and evacuating its Excrements; concerning the copious Production of which, by means of the corrupted Temperature of the Brain in Persons who daily smoak _Tobacco_, we shall afterwards treat.