Tobacco Smoke Enema Anyone?

Tobacco Smoke Enema (1750s-1810s)

The tobacco enema was used to infuse tobacco smoke into a patient’s rectum for various medical purposes, primarily the resuscitation of drowning victims. A rectal tube inserted into the anus was connected to a fumigator and bellows that forced the smoke up the rectum. A photo of this "medical marvel" is shown above. The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration, but doubts about the credibility of tobacco smoke enemas led to the popular phrase “blow smoke up one’s ass.”