The tobacco enema was used in the 1750s – 1810s 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.”
While this device has been largely discredited by the medical profession it has been put to very effective use by modern day politicians.
The Tobacco Smoke Enema has been in continuous use for over 260 years. While the primary users are currently (and likely to remain) politicians, unscrupulous CEOs, religious charlatans, used car salesmen, bankers, telemarketers and other rogues continue to put it to good use whenever the need arises to blow smoke up the public’s collective ass.