Diet was one area in which the arrival of the Europeans seems not to have had much influence. Composition of the diet remained the same as it was aboriginally until the time of King Philip’s War.[127] DRINK, DRUGS AND INDULGENCE Prior to the arrival of the Europeans there was no knowledge of alcohol among the Indians of the New England area. Once introduced, however, it became a popular item of trade, and Indians learned how to produce it for themselves.[128] The Wampanoags and their neighbors, however, did smoke the native American variety of tobacco, _Nicotiana rustica_.[129] This strong variety of tobacco would not be appealing to modern American tastes. The only place where it is used commercially today is in the USSR. In one instance at least—where the writer characterized the tobacco as weak—it is likely that some was mixed with other plant material preparatory to smoking.[130] Tobacco leaves were picked green, dried, crushed, and smoked in pipes.[131] Tobacco was used frequently.[132] Smoking was a pleasant diversion. When friends met on the trail they would stop, smoke together, and talk.[133] Tobacco apparently also was used by women.[134] Besides being a refreshing indulgence, taking tobacco was thought to be a helpful remedy “... against the rheume, which causeth the toothake....”[135] LEATHER, TEXTILES, FABRICS =Work in Skins=: Most of the clothing worn by the Wampanoags was made from the skins of animals. Deerskin was an excellent material for clothing, since it was tough but thin enough to be made pliable, was large enough to be used with a minimum of piecing, and was readily available in the environment. Moose hide was used for similar purposes, but being heavier it was perhaps more popular for making shoes.[136] Deerskin was scraped to remove the flesh, and the tanning process involved working oil into the hide to make it soft and also resistant to water.[137] Thus prepared, the skin used in a pair of leggings could stand to be gotten wet, rung out, hung up and dried by the fire without being harmed by the experience.[138] When a deer was killed during the winter, the thick coat of hair was usually left on the hide.[139] Moose skins were de-haired as a matter of course, according to Morton.[140] Deer and moose skins with the hair removed were decorated by painting or by embroidery.[141] To be a proper skin for wearing, a deerskin had to have the tail left on.[142]