Gaby
THE LIGHT TOUCH OF JEAN NICOT
One of the potent harmful substances found in tobacco—nicotine—was named after Jean Nicot, the French ambassador to Portugal. In 1560, he presented tobacco seeds to French Queen Catherine de’ Medici, highlighting the plant’s supposed medicinal properties. Thanks to Nicot’s influence, tobacco began to be used as a remedy in many European countries.
“THE HATRED OF TOBACCO”
This was the title of a work by King James I of England, in which he vehemently condemned the smoking habit, describing it as “…contrary to appearance, offensive to the sense of smell, dangerous to the brain, and harmful to the chest.”
Significantly, medical literature from the 18th century also began to provide evidence of the harmful effects of tobacco.
THE TRIAL OF COUNT BOCARME
A certain Count Bocarme poisoned his brother-in-law with a substance derived from… tobacco leaves. High concentrations of nicotine were found in the brain, liver, and other organs of the poisoned man, which, according to doctors, was the cause of death.
The sensational trial of Count Bocarme in the mid-19th century undermined faith in the healing properties of tobacco. The fact that tobacco was no longer used as a medicinal remedy in medical practice was further supported by the work of prominent scientists of that era.
