Tobacco has a long history from its usages in the early Americas.
It became increasingly popular with the arrival of the Europeans by
whom it was heavily traded. Following the industrial revolution,
cigarettes became popularized, which fostered yet another unparalleled
increase in growth. This remained so until the scientific revelations in
the mid-1900s.
Las Casas vividly described how the first scouts sent by Columbus into the interior of Cuba found
men with half-burned wood in their hands and
certain herbs to take their smokes, which are some dry herbs put in a
certain leaf, also dry, like those the boys make on the day of the
Passover of the Holy Ghost; and having lighted one part of it, by the
other they suck, absorb, or receive that smoke inside with the breath,
by which they become benumbed and almost drunk, and so it is said they
do not feel fatigue. These, muskets as we will call them, they call tabacos.
I knew Spaniards on this island of Española who were accustomed to take
it, and being reprimanded for it, by telling them it was a vice, they
replied they were unable to cease using it. I do not know what relish or
benefit they found in it.
|
|
|
|
|
No comments:
Post a Comment