It was in 1828, about five years before Joseph Smith's doctrine with respect to tobacco was given, that nicotine was obtained in a pure state. Many years later the chemists and physiologists learned to understand the dangerous nature of the tobacco poison. It does not seem probable that Joseph Smith had heard of the discovery of nicotine in 1833; the discovery was announced in a German scientific journal, and in those days of few newspapers, scientific news, even of public interest, was not made generally known as quickly as is the case today. In fact, Hyrum Smith, the brother of the Prophet, on May 29, 1842, delivered a sermon upon the Word of Wisdom in which he says, "Tobacco is a nauseous, stinking, abominable thing;"[A] but nothing worse, thus basing his main objection to it on the revealed word of the Lord. Had Joseph and his associates been familiar with the isolation of nicotine and its properties, they would undoubtedly have mentioned it in sermons especially directed against the use of tobacco. In any case, at a time when it was but vaguely known that tobacco contained a poisonous principle, it would have been extremely hazardous for the reputation of an impostor to have claimed a revelation from God, stating distinctly the injurious effects of tobacco. [Footnote A: The Contributor, vol. iv., p. 13; Improvement Era, Vol. 4. pp. 943-9.] It should also be noted that Joseph Smith says that when tobacco is used for bruises and all sick cattle, it should be used with judgment and skill, thus impressing caution even in the external application of the herb. This is fully borne out by facts, for it has been found that "the external application of tobacco to abraded surfaces, and even to the healthy skin, has been attended with violent symptoms, and even death."[A] [Footnote A: Wormley, Micro-chemistry of Poisons, p. 436.] In the matter of the chemistry and physiological action of tobacco, then, the Prophet, in 1833, was in full accord with the best knowledge of 1908. In the emphasis of his doctrine, he even anticipated the world of science. "And again, hot drinks are not for the body or belly."[A] [Footnote A: Doctrine and Covenants, 89:9.] [Sidenote: The doctrine that tea and coffee are injurious to man is scientific.] When this statement was made, in 1833, the meaning of the expression hot drinks was not clearly understood. Many believed that the only meaning of the above statement was that drinks that are hot enough to burn the mouth should not be used. Others, however, claimed for the doctrine a deeper meaning. To settle the difficulty, appeal was made to Joseph Smith who explained that tea, coffee and similar drinks were meant by the expression hot drinks. From that time on, the Church has taught that tea and coffee should not be used by mankind.[A] [Footnote A: See The Contributor, vol. iv. p. 13; Improvement Era, vol 4, pp. 943-9.]