Monday, August 3, 2009

Oh, BummerCare!


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 that 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.”

And there you have it. The President's Healthcare Reform Plan in a nutshell.


4 comments:

Debra@CommonGround said...

Hmmm, wonder how many poor "victims" died while they tried this wonderful medical treatment? When all they needed was to be rolled over and have the water pushed out. Love the sentiment and the knowledge of this phrase, AND your great play on words!
Debra

Mindy said...

I so wondered where this was going. I thought I had stumbled on Cher's Tasteless Tuesday for a minute there. But, I see. A commentary on our Tasteless 4 years with the idiot that the masses wanted. Can they possibly be enjoying what they asked for? I am not. The smoke up my a$$ is very uncomfortable. ~Mindy

Ragamuffin Gal said...

I just shared this with Mark and I am surprised that you couldn't hear us hooting and howling with laughter all the way to Texas! Thanks for the healthy laugh which we all need daily!
Still laughing,
Katie

Anonymous said...

Ha! That's too funny.

I just glanced at Mindy's comment about Cher's Tasteless Tuesday and I was thinking the same thing as I was reading.

-FringeGirl