Oldie but Goodie
Tobacco Smoke Enemas (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 forced the smoke towards the rectum. The warmth of the smoke was thought to promote respiration, but doubts about the credibility of tobacco enemas led to the popular phrase “blow smoke up one’s ass.”
*Still in use by hospital administrators nationwide!
During the “Hippie” days, we had some friends that belonged to a commune that believed in and practiced coffee enemas every morning for everyone. Not sure how or if the absorption was better than drinking it, as they claimed…and I never tried it. I’ll take my cupa joe instead.
HaHaHaHa! the history of metaphors can be such a pleasure.