

The medical kit is pretty self-explanatory



Lest we become too nostalgic for days of yore, let us remember the medicine of yore! It’s been known for centuries that the nicotine found in tobacco is a powerful drug, but attempts to harness any prospective medicinal powers were fraught with misstep. The treatment of tobacco smoke enemas—or “glysters,” as they were amusingly called—for drowning victims was pioneered by English doctor Richard Mead in 1745, and was practiced widely until 1811, when a doctor discovered that nicotine was poison.

In 1954, cardiopulmonary resuscitation was introduced, but Mead was one most prominent early medical voices to argue that the “demons” so frequently diagnosed in the mentally ill were in fact, disease, so this wasn’t considered crackpot science, but the height of medical technology. In 1774, there was even a little rhyme presented at a meeting of the British Medical Association!

“Tobacco glyster, breath and bleed.

Keep warm and rub till you succeed.

And spare no pains for what you do;

May one day be repaid to you.”

If that’s what you’re into.





