Sunday, January 8, 2017

Tobacco enema

Tobacco                                                          smoke enema                                                          kit by                                                          Wellcome                                                          Images (CC                                                          BY-SA-4.0)
Tobacco Smoke Enema Kit
(1750s – 1810s).

The tobacco enema was used to infuse tobacco smoke into a patient's rectum for various medical purposes, but primarily the resuscitation of drowning victims.
A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke into the rectum. The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote 
respiration.
Doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to the popular phrase "blowing smoke up your ass."
As you are most likely aware, this odd tool is still heavily used by all levels of government.

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