Some who chewed tobacco used to have huge wads in their mouths. The bottoms of their lips would hang open. They would smack their lips together with enjoyment.
After they ate or drank tea they would really want to chew and couldn't go without it. They would open their mouth wide and put lots in there.
--Frank Andrew, Kwigillingok
Science panel: Tobacco mixed with ash
Ash alone has no known physiological effect, but when mixed with tobacco it dramatically increases the speed with which nicotine reaches the blood stream, by increasing the freebase form of nicotine that crosses biological membranes. Ash raises the pH level in the mouth, enhancing delivery of nicotine to the brain. The dizziness some feel is a symptom of nicotine poisoning.
Willie Kamkoff remarked: "Since they are old you can see that someone used a metal blade to scrape out fragments of tobacco from the inside. They said that when they ran out of tobacco that was what they did."
Dimensions
H x W
Credits
E. W. Nelson, 1879, Department of Anthropology, Smithsonian Institution 35956
Paul John enthused: "I'm sure that this was made by a walrus-eating person. Back in those days people really cherished tobacco. They finely crafted their tobacco boxes, too. Gosh, this tobacco box is so nice. I wish I could have it as my tobacco box."
Dimensions
H x W
Credits
J. A. Jacobsen, 1882, Ethnologisches Museum Berlin IVA4648
