Just a tidbit from the surgical newsletter in my morning work e-mail:

hellonurse:

•   Tobacco smoke enemas were at one time thought to be able to cure various disorders including the resuscitation of drowning victims. A tube was inserted in the rectum and tobacco smoke was pumped into the intestines via a large bellows. The warmth of the smoke was felt to promote respirations. Doubts about its credibility led to the popular phrase “to blow smoke up one’s a…”