Tobacco Smoke Enemas
Yes, people once believed that blowing tobacco smoke up someone’s rectum could bring them back to life. This bizarre treatment peaked in the 18th century and was particularly popular for drowning victims. Kits—including bellows, pipes, and a dose of nicotine—were kept along the River Thames, ready for action. Doctors believed the warmth and stimulant effects of smoke could jump-start respiration.
However, the practice often did more harm than good. Inhaling smoke through the rectum caused burns, irritation, and even worse breathing problems. Eventually, the discovery that tobacco was more harmful than helpful led to the procedure’s decline. But the phrase “blowing smoke up your…” lives on as a mocking nod to this utterly ridiculous—and uncomfortable—chapter in medical history.
