^,M5:^^- ^ •-'M-f^.l w^l / / ^■•^c COLLECTIONS AN ESSAY TOWARDS A MATERIA MEDICA UNITED-STATE? By benjamin SMITH BARTON, M. D. PROFESSOR OF MATERIA MEDICA, NATURAL, HISTORY, AND BOTANY, IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. PART FIRST. THE THIRD EDITION, WITH A IJDITIONS. " Alit impetum persuasio non in sterili me campo laborare, dum vires */ ad illam scientiam intendo, quae praxeos medicae alter oculus est." J. A. Murray. PHILADELPHIA: PRINTED FOR EDWARD EARLE AND CO. Fry and Kam merer. Printers. 1810 District of Pennsylvania, to wi-t : ******* BE IT REjMEMBERED, That on tlie twenty-iburtli day of * Sesl. ^ December, in the thirty fifth year of the Independence of the ******* United-Statesof America, A. D. 1810, Edward Earle and Co. of the said district, have deposited in this office, the title of a book the right "whereof thej' claim as proprietors, in tlie words following, to wit: Collections for an Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United-States. By Benjamin Smith Barton, M. D. Professor of Materia Medica, Natural History, and Botany, in the University of Pennsylvania. Part First. The Third Edition with Additions. " Aht impetum pei-suasio non in sterili me campo laborare, dum vires " ad illam scieutiara intendo, quic pra.xeos medicse alter oculus est." J. A. Murray. In conformity to the act of the congress of the United States, intituled, "An act for the encouragement of learning bj" securing the copies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and pi-oprietors of such copies during the times therein mentioned " And also to the act, entitled " An act supplementary to an act, entitled, " An act for the encouragement of learning, by securing the co])ies of maps, charts, and books, to the authors and propi-ietors of such copies during the tune therein mentioned," and extending the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving, and etching historical and other lirints." D. CALDWELL, €lerk of the District of PeniisijlvMua- p '.SIC- TG THE STUDENTS OF MEDICINE IN THE UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA, ; The following pages, which are intended to enlarge : the stock of our knowledge concerning the medicinal ^^PROPERTiEs of the Indigenous Vegetables of the Uni- ted-States, are very respectfully inscribed by their friend and preceptor, BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON, -' Philadelphia, December 12th, 1810, % i t O Digitized by the Internet Arciiive in 2011 witii funding from University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign http://www.archive.org/details/collectionsforesOObart PREFACE. TO THE SECOND EDITION. JVIY Collections for an Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United- States have been favourabl) re- ceived by the public. I ought, perhaps, to mention this circumstance with some degree of surprise; for when I pul lished the work, I was not ignorant how extremely superficial and imperfect it was. With all its faults, how- ever, the " honest trifle" has served some useful purpo- ses. It has called the attention of some of my country- men to the study of the nature and properties of the in- digenous vegetables of the United- States: in particular, in the hands of the student of medicine, it has been use- ful as a guide (always feeble, and sometimes illusory), in conducting him through the extensive wilderness of our riches. A NEW edition of the " Collections" has been called for. I might have satisfied the desires of a few, had I consented to republish the work, in its original form. By doing this, I might, also, have consulted my own ease and convenience, disti'acted as I have been by sick- ness, or engaged in pursuits, which required more stead;.' and laborious attention. But I should not have satisfied myself. As I saw the errors and imperfections of the work, it became my duty to do somewhat towards re- vi ) medv'ing them. Besides, it has always appeared to me, that an author has but little claim upon the attention and the favours of the public, unless he renders the se- cond more perfect than the former editions of his works. I determined to reprint the work, in a more enlarged and improved state. But I did not think it would be just or delicate to change the title of the work. The facts and observations Avhich it contains are thrown to- gether with too little regard to method, to give it a claim to the title of an Essay. Ir is not difficult to discover in what respects the present work differs from the former " Collections." I have, indeed, reprinted the original Discourse, delivered before the Medical Society, in every essential respect a copy of the former work. The only alterations which I have made are too trivial to be particularly noticed. In- deed, the reader of the two editions would hardly be able to discover the difference. I iiope, however, that I have increased the value of the discouise, by the addition of a number of notes, at the bottom of the page. 1 have also added an Appendix, which contains, besides almost all the remarks contained in the appendix of the former edition, a considerable portion of matter, some of it chiefiy of a practical nature, v.'hich had no place in the original work. I HAVE entitled this little volume "Part First," because it is my intention to publish at least one part more, relative to other indigenous medicinal productions of the United-States. For such an additional volume, I urn already in possession of sufficient materials. But the very imperfect state of my health renders it uncertam, wht'v, the Second Part will appear. I shall endeavour to f vii ) give it to the public sometime in the course of the en- suing year, or early in the spring of 1803. Should it never appear, the loss (save by the student in pursuit of subjects for inquiry, and in want of a guide somewhat more experienced than himself) will be but little felt. The present publication, meanwhile, may be considereel as a complete or distinct work, in itself. Philadelphia, December 2d, 1801. POSTSCRIPT. With the view to extend the knowledge of those indigenous vegetables of the United- States, which are possessed of useful medical powers, I have it in con- templation to publish a series of engravings, of the prin- eipal medicinal vegetables of our country. When the whole of this scheme will be accomplished, it is difficult to say. But I think it may not be amiss to give, in this place, a general idea of the v/ork which I meditate. Of the native North-American vegetables, which are worthy the attention of physicians, some are en- tirely new, and have never been figured by an}' ^vriter: others have been inaccurately or imperfectly figured; whilst of some correct and elegant plates have already been given lo the public. It is unnecessary to say, that of those vegetables which have not been figured at all, or which have been but badly fig'ured, the public our-iit ( viii ) to be furnished with just and elegant representations. Such it is my intention to publish. But it is even desi- rable that the American physician should possess a work, which shall bring together, into one view, there- presentations of the principal valuable native plants, as well those which have as those which have not been well engraved. My scheme, accordingly, comprehends both descriptions of our indigenous vegetables. In the earlier numbers of the plates, however, my attention will be particularly directed to the latter class of plants- I DESIGN to publish the work in Decades, or separ- ate parts; each decade, as the name implitb, to contain ten plates. Each plate shall be accompanied with a full description of the plant, in Latin and in English, and shall contain references to the principal authors who have mentioned it. But of the medical properties of the plants nothing minute or particular will be said, as the work is solely intended to illustrate the history of those vegetables of which mention is made in these Collec- tions, or in the subsequent parts of them, which 1 de- sign to publish. Even, however, to the botanist, who is careless of the American Materia Medica, the plates will be useful. The plates shall be engraven from original draw- ings, taken by able artists from the living plants. At present, it is my intention to publish them in a quarto form, nearly of the size of the plates in Dr. Woodville's Medical Botany. The plates of some copies of the work shall be coloured. The first and second decades of the work will con- tuip. engr:n,ing:s of some of the following medicinal ve- ( ix ) getables of the United- States; the greater part of which are more or less noticed in the present volume of Col- lections. Zea Mays, Zizania aquatica, Geranium macu- latum, Heuchera Americana, Arbutus Uva ursi, Comp- tonia asplenifolia, Prunus Virginiana, Diospyros Virgi- niana, Myrica cerifera, Cornus florida, Cornus sericea, MagnoUa glauca, MagnoHa acuminata, Liriodendron TuHpifera, Aristolochia Serpentaria, Aristolochia si- pho, Chironia angularis, Hydrastis Canadensis, Popu- lus balsamifera, Liquidambar Styraciflua, Datura Stra- monium, Cicuta maculata, Rhododendron maximum, Kalmia latifolia, Gaultheria procumbens, Laurus Sas- safras, Laurus Benzoin, LaurusCaroliniensis, Eryngium aquaticum, Arum triphyllum, Dracontium fcetidum, Rhus radicans, Rhus Vernix, Rhus Toxicodendron, Polygala Senega, Polygala sanguinea, Zanthoxylum fraxinifolium, Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis, Euphor- bia Ipecacuanha, Spirsea trifoliata, Spir^a opulifolia, Asarum Canadense, Eupatorium perfoliatum, Sanguin- aria Canadensis, Triosteum perfoliatum, Asclepias de- cumbens. Convolvulus panduratus. Podophyllum pel- tatum, Cassia Marilandica, Juglans cineria, Lobelia siphilitica. Lobelia inflata, Serratula spicata, Ilex vo- mitoria, Spigelia Marilandica, Chenopodium anthel- minticum, Helleborus foetidus, Galega Virginiana, Cle- ome dodecandra? Silene Virginica, and Melia Azeda- rach*. * This last is the only foreign vegetable in the whole list. The Zea Mays and the Zizania aquatica are the only two vegetables that are not medicinal, in the strict sense of the word. PREFACE*. 1 HOPE the following pages will be received as an earnest of my desire to extend our knowledge of the medical properties of the indigenous vegetables of the United- States. I do not expect to acquire any reputa- tion by the publication. Perhaps, in making this asser- tion, I shall not be doubted, when I confess that in every thing which I have hitherto published, I have had repu- tation in view. If I have not acquired it, I have borne the disappointment with tranquil indiiference. The readers of these Collections (for every thing that is written and published solicits some readers) will form different opinions about my medical faith. Some of them will think I have too much; and others that I have not enough. I certainly do not repose im- plicit confidence in the half of what is said concerning the powers of medicines. Accordingly, I have not given a place, in these pages, to many of our vegetables, which have been praised as specifics for the cure of diseases; in particular, as specifics against the bites of venemous serpents. But, on the other hand, it will be asked, whether I mean that all the different vegetables which I have mentioned, should have a place in the • To the First Edition. ( xii ) materia medica of physicians? I answer, No. But HOW ARE WE TO KNOW WHAT PLANTS ARE MOST PROPER FOR THE PURPOSES OF MEDICINE, UNTIL WE SHALL HAVE EXAMINED THE PROPERTIES OF A GREAT BODY OF VEGETABLES? The Digitalis is HOW thought one of the most important of the diuretic me- dicines: but, perhaps, future inquiries will discover a diuretic, which shall, in a great measure, supersede the frequent use of this active plant. I wish to turn THE ATTENTION OF OUR PHYSICIANS TO AN IN- VESTIGATION OF THE PROPERTIES OF THEIR NA- TIVE PRODUCTIONS. When it is considered how little has hitherto been done in this way, every attempt (mine is an humble one) should be candidly received. I do not mean that its faults should not be pointed out. The arrangement of the articles which I have men- tioned is by no means faultless: on the contrary, it is liable to many objections. I should not have followed this arrangement, had I been considering all the articles of the materia medica. I shall give a sketch of my ideas of a method of the science, in my strictures on the ar- rangement of the learned and elegant author of the Bo- tanic Garden, a poem which unites the fire of Lucretius with the taste of Virgil, and a learning unequalled by that of Camoens or of Milton. I THINK it but candid to confess, that since reading this address to the Medical Society, I have made some alterations in it. These alterations, however, are very inconsiderable. In general, even the very style and faults of each phrase are preserved, for I had not time to alter or correct much. I have left out the conclud- ing part of the address, relative to the establishment of ( xiii ) a MEDICAL library: not that I doubt the ability of the society to form a library of its own. The notes con- tained in the Appendix were not read to the society. Whatever may be the reception of this essay by the public, whether favourable or unfavourable, I shall pursue my inquiries concerning the nature and proper- ties of the natural productions of my native country. 1 shall pursue them, because there is at least a possibility that they may ultimately tend to something useful: and because I have the experience of several years to teach me, that the cultivation of science is the extension of my happiness. TREFACE, TO THE THIRD EDITION. A THIRD edition of these Collections being called for, 1 could not consent to reprint the work precisely in the same state in which it has already appeared before the public. But the want of leisure has prevented me from making all those additions to the work, for which I possess ample materials. These additions, however, will be given in a third part, which I propose to publish in the course of the ensuing autumn, and which, it is probable, will close these sketches of an American MATERIA MEDicA, uudct their present title of Collec- tions for an Essay ^ &c. But although I have not been able to accomplish my wish of rendering this edition of the first part of the Collections much more complete than either of the for- mer editions, the little work nevertheless now appears before the public somewhat improved and enlarged. I even flatter myself that, the mass of the whole work considered, the additions will not be deemed inconside- rable or unimportant. I HAVE not relinquished my scheme of publishing a collection of plates, with descriptions, of the most im- portant medicinal vegetables of the United- States. Se- ( ^vi ) veral of these plates are already prepared, and others are norv in the hands of the engravers. If my life be spared, the first decade of the work will make its ap- pearance in the course of the ensuing summer. The plates will be found accurate and well engraved: the de- scriptions ample, and I hope correct. Philadelphia, December 12th, 1810. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. The Lectures on Materia Medica (by Professor Barton) commence annually, in the first week of No- vember, and continue for four entire months. The Pro- fessor delivers at least four lectures each week, exclu- sively of his course on Natural History. COLLECTIONS AN ESSAY TOWARDS A MATERIA MEDICA OF THE UNITED-STATES. READ BEFORE THE PHILADELPHIA MEDICAL SOCIETY, ox THE TWENTY-FIRST OF FEBRUARY, 1798. By benjamin SMITH BARTON, M. D. ONE OF THE HONORARY MEMBERS OF THE SOCIETY. " Sunt Simplicia desumpta e tripUci Nature Regno: e Lapideo, Vegeta- " bill ft Animali; heic Vegetabxlia tantum depvomsi, qux maximam '•' constituunt Materise MedicK partem, alio tempori reservans csetei-a." LlNN.£US. FIDEM NON ABSTULIT ERROR. « Medicus Notitia Plants destitutus, de viribus ejusdem '' nunquam juste judicavit." LiNNiEUS. COLLECTIONS, &c. Gentlemen, W E have assembled together to celebrate the an- niversary of our foundation. It is an occasion v.hich ought to give pleasure to us all. We have met, however, for the difficult purpose of mingling science with plea- sure. This difficulty falls peculiarly upon me. By your vote, I have been called upon to deliver the annual dis- course. I accepted of the appointment cheerfully, be- cause I was anxious to demonstrate my attachment to the Society, of which I had the honour to be a member at a very earl}^ period of my life; a Society in which I first imbibed my love of the different sciences which consti- tute the great fabric of medicine. But if I accepted of the appointment with pleasure, I do not address you with confidence. I have found it difficult to select a subject for your entertainment. I, at one time, contemplated a comparative view of the differ- ent theories which have prevailed in medicine, in the present centur}^ But I soon found this subject too ex- tensive for our purpose: besides, in the investigation of this view, I should have been obliged to speak ^^■ith a ( 4 ) freedom, which might not have given pleasure to Qwcry one of us. Men are often attached to theories, as pa- rents are attached to their children. After some difficulty, I have selected a subject. It is ^n Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United States; or, if you please, An Inquiry what indigenous vegetables of our country may be used, with advantage, in the treatment of diseases. This, you will immediately perceive, is a task both extensive and difficult. But it is an important one. I shall not, perhaps, perform a duty altogether unacceptable to you, if I furnish you with a few facts not generally known to you before. This is all I aim at. Mine is not the first attempt of this kind. Be- sides the paper entitled Specijica Canadensium*, Dr. Schoepf, of Erlangen in Germany, has favoured us with a specimen of such a work, under the title of Mate- ria Medica Americana potissimiwi Megjii Vegetabilis. This work was printed in 1787. The author arranges the articles accordino^ to the sexual S3'stem of Linnseus. This, though an objection, is not the greatest. He has givt-n us nothing from his own experience. He ascribes active powers to plants which are nearly inert, and ap- pears to me to be, in some measure, governed by the old notion of Signatures: one of the tyrants of the ancient schools. He discovers none of that infidelity, or, if you please, scepticism, which ought ever to i^e attached to physicians: I mean not an infidelity relative to religion; but an unwillingness to acquiesce, without good proofs, in the truth of every tale concerning the powers of me- dicines. This pliant, this credulous disposition, has been * See Amaniitutcs Academics. Vol. iv. Dissertatio Ixxii, ( 5 ) ©ne of the causes which have obstructed the regular march of medical science. But as the effort of Schoepf is the best of the kind, so we ought to tread lightly on his work. He is at least a man of learning; and learning should always claim indulgence from the lovers and cul- tivators of science. I AM far from supposing that it is in my power, es- pecially on this occasion, to supply all the defects of Schoepf 's book. It would be easy to point out its faults. I aim at a rude sketch of our Materia Medica. It is so extremely unfinished, that I have no objection to its being called by any inferior name. I confine myself en- tirely to vegetables. MATERIA ALIMENT ARIA. YOU are all acquainted with the great general divi- sion of the Materia Medica into two parts: that which relates to the aliments, or nutrientia^ of mankind, and the medical part, more strictly so called. Each of these is highly important; but I mean, in this address, to con- line myself almost entirely to the latter branch. Yet the former should claim some of our attention. Much may be expected from a country which has blessed us witli the maize, the potatoc, &c. I could readily furnish you with a long list of the indigenous nutrientia of this coun- try; but such a list would be very uninteresting. On this subject, however, an useful work might be written. He who shall undertake to examine the subject extensively will find, that Providence has, in the gift of esculent vegetables, been as liberal to the countries of ll'.f United- ( 6 ) States, as to any other countries of the world, of equal extent. Under this hea4 of the nutrientia, I shall content myself with mentioning two native articles, which de- serve the attention of physicians and others. Perhaps, they may even supersede, on many occasions, the use of some other articles, which are purchased at a pretty dear rate. There grows upon the river Mobile a species of Palm, which is but little known to naturalists, but which promises to be an important article of food to man. It has no stalk or stem above ground. The leaves spread regularly all round, and when fully expanded are flabel- liform. In the centre of these leaves, is produced the receptacle of the fruit, which is of the form and size of a common sugar-loaf. This receptacle consists of a vast number of drupes, or berries, of the size and shape of common plumbs: each is covered with a fibrous, farina- ceous, pulpy coating, of considerable thickness. This substance is said to resemble manna in texture, colour and taste; or, perhaps, it still more resembles moist bro^Mi sugar, with particles of loaf-sugar mixt with it. It is a most delicious and nourishing food, and is dili- gently sought after in the places where it grows. Upon first tasting it, it is somewhat bitter and pungent*. The large tuberous roots of the Smilax China afford our southern Indians a nourishing food. The fresh roots are well macerated in wooden mortars. The mass is then put into vessels nearly filled with clear water, where it is well mixed v.'ith paddles. It is decanted off into other * ?;"0!n tlr,; inf.irmati'jn cf Mr. Willhfm Bartram. MS. penes ?nc. Vol. i. ( ' ) vessels, where it is left to settle, and after the subsi- dence is completed, the water is cast off, leaving the farinaceous substance at the bottom. When this is taken out and dried, it is an impalpable powder of a reddisli colour. Mixed with boiling water, it becomes a beauti- ful jelly, which, when sweetened with honey or sugar, affords a most nourishing and pleasant food for children or aged people. The Indians sometimes use it mixed with fine corn-flour, and fried m fresh bear's oil*. The chemical history of the Maize, or Indian corn, the blessing of our country, deserves to be farther iives- tigated. Its importance as an article of diet is sufficient- ly established by the experience of whole nations. MATERIA MEDICA. I AM not very anxious, on this occasion, about niv division of ihe materia medica. I have attempted, in my lectures, to make some improvements upon the arransfc- ment of Dr. Culien; and, if I live, I hope to publish, in a few months, my strictures on the late arrangement of the ingenious Dr. Darwin. At present, in possession of only a small collection of original facts, immediatelv relative to the materia medica of the United- States, I shall content myself with disposing of these fcicts under the nine following heads, viz. i. Astringents; ir. Tonics; hi. Stimulants; iv. Erkhines; v. Sia- LAGOGA, or Salivating medicines; vi. Emetics; vii. Cathartics; viii. Diuretics; ix. Anthel- mintics. From tlie infrirHiation of Mr. Wi!.lia.m E:irti-a.ir.. MS. focne-; mr. Vol, i. Section I. Astringents. I THINK it proper, in the present state of our know- ledge of medicines, to give place to a class of Astrin- gents. There is the more propriety for the adoption of such a class, because we see more readily, than with respect to many other medicines, their direct mode of operation. Our vegetable astringents, I mean the purer and more unmixed astringents, are numerous. The barks of all our oaks are of this kind. But I may here particularly mention three or four native astringents, which seem to be more especially entitled to your at- tention. The first is the Geranium maculatum, or Spotted Geranium*^, which grows very plentifully about this city: it flowers in the spring. The root is used: this boiled in milk has been found an excellent medicine in the cholera of children. It is not necessary to be very nice about the dose. I imagine it would also prove use- ful in old diarrhoeas, where the kino, and other astrin- gents are exhibited. If nephritis, of certain kinds, be relieved by astringents, this geranium would seem en- titled to attention, not merely because it is a powerful astringent, but because a species of the same genus, the Geranium robertianum, or Herb-Robert, has been em- ployed, with advantage, in this distressing complaint|. * In the county of Lancaster, and probably in other parts of Pennsylvania and the United-States, this plant is known by tlie English name of " Crow- ibot." It is hardly necessary to say, that this name is improperly applied to this or any other species of tlic family of Geranium: for it lias, long' since, been appropriated to the dificrent species of the genus Ranunculus. The name of Crow-footis also bestowed, in some parts of Pennsylvania, upon a species of Gciim, or Bennet, the Geum rivale, or Red Water- Avcns. fThe Geraninm robertianum is a native of various parts of North -Amenca. ( 9 ) The Heuchera Americana is the next astringent. This is sometimes called American Scinicle. It is more eommonly called Alum-root. The root is a very in- tense astringent. It is the basis of a powder, which has lately acquired some reputation in the cure of cancer. I suppose all its virtue, in this case, depends upon its astringency. I may here observe, that the disease of cancer is not confined to civilized nations. It is known among our Indians. I am informed that the Cheerake cure it with a plant, which is thought to be the Hydras- tis Canadensis, one of our fine native dyes. I do not be- lieve that the Heuchera has cured genuine cancer: but it seems certain, that it has proved very beneficial in some obstinate ulcers, which have been mistaken for cancer. In such cases, the astringent medicines are too much neglected. The Actaea racemosa, or Black Snake-root, is also a valuable medicine. It is sometimes called Squaw- root*, I suppose from its having been used as a medi- cine by our Indians. The root of this plant is astringent. In a putrid sore-throat, which prevailed in Jersey, many years ago, a strong decoction of the roots was used, with great benefit, as a gargle. Our Indians set an high value on it. A decoction of it cures the itch. In North- Carolina, it has been found useful, as a drench, in the disease of cattle, called the murrain. The Uva Ursif is considerably astringent. Yet I suspect that it does not operate entirely by virtue of its astringent quality. This plant, from my own experi- ence, I can recommend to you, as a most valuable medi- * It is also called Rich-weed, and Rattle -weed. I Arbutus Uva ursi of Linnjcus. c ( 10 ) cine. It should be in the hands of every physician. I have used it, with advantage, in old gonorrhoea. But its great virtue is that of a medicine in nephritis. I am inclined to think, that it is peculiarly adapted to cases of what I call nephritis podagrica, or nephritis depending upon gout. This is one of the plants which are common to the old and to the new world. It grows plentifully in Canada, New- York, New-Jersey, &c. Schoepf says, the Indians mix the leaves with tobacco*. The Liquidambar asplenifoliumf of Linnaeus is well known by the name of Sweet- Fern. It has often been found useful in diarrhoea. Other virtues have been ascribed to it±. Section II. Tonics. I BELIEVE all the astringent medicines are more or less Tonic. But there are a good many tonics which are not astringent. There is, certainly, some propriety in considering the astringents and tonics under two dis- tinct heads, as Dr. Cullen has done. But, perhaps, the tonics should only form one section of the great class of stimulants. Certain it is, that many of the tonic me- dicines are considerably stimulant. The class of tonics is extremely interesting to phy- sicians. It embraces some of the most valuable medi- * Materia Medica Americana, 8cc. p. 68. f Comptonia asplenifolia of Aiton. 'i See Schoepf 's Materia Medica, &c. p. 142. ( 11 ) cines with which we are acquainted, such as the Peru- vian bark, the extensive tribe of bitter medicines, as the Gentians, &c. The natural infirmities of mankind, and perhaps especially the vices to which civilized nations are so propense, will always render the tonics most ne- cessary implements in the hands of physicians. Our woods possess several medicines which, I am inclined to think, might be used, with advantage, as substitutes for the Peruvian bark. Perhaps, most of our Oaks, which are, in general, different from the oaks of the old world, are of this kind. Sufficient trials have not been made vwith them; at least mtenially used. Externally^ some of them have been employed, with advantage. I have used the bark of the Spanish oak* in gangrene, and I had every reason to think it was, in this case, equal in power to the best Peruvian bark. The bark of the Prunus Virginiana, or Wild- Cherry- tree, has been used in intermittent fevers, and found useful. This is a very common tree. Its leaves are poisonous to certain animals, as calves. Even the berries intoxicate diiTerent kinds of birds. The barks of the Common Sassafras (Laurus Sassafras), and Persimmon (Diospyros Virgi- niana) have likewise been found useful in intermittents. In the year 1793, I used the bark of the last of these ve- getables in an ulcerous sore-throatt. Our Willows have not been attentively examined. We have several native species, and I believe they possess nearly the same pro- perties which have been ascribed to the willows of Eu- rope!, '^y Stone, Haller, and other VvTiters. The Dog- * Qiiercus rubra montana of Marshall. Sec his Arbustum AmcricanuiTi: tlie American Grove, &c. p. 123. Philadelphia: 1785. f Dr. Woodhouse has favoured us witli some interesting' information con- rfirningthe Persimmon. See his Inaugural Dissi;it:f ^Valter are irK.Mvly ^■arieties of the same speck's. ( 14 ) riieumatic complaints*. The bark of the root of the Magnoha grandiflora, sometimes called Tulip-tree, is used in Florida, in combination with the Snake-root, as a substitute for the Peruvian bark, in the treatment of intermittent fevers. The flowers of the Magnolia tri- petala, or Umbrella-tree, have a very powerful smell. They often induce nausea and head-ache. I AM inclined to think, that the Cortex Angustur^, which has lately been introduced into medical prac- tice, and is so greatly celebrated as a tonic, by the prac- titioners of Britain, is the bark of borne species of Mag- nolia. The Liriodendron Tulipifera, well known, in the United States, by the names of Tulip-tree, Poplar, While- wood, occ, is very closely allied, by its botani- cal character, to the Magnolias. They both belong to the same class and order of tlie sexual system, and both, I believe, possess nearly the same properties. The bark of the Liriodendron is frequently used in intermittents. Many persons are of opinion, that in this case, it is but little inferior to the Peruvian bark. I have never em- ployed itf. The bark of the Populus tremula? or Aspin? has likewise been used in cases of intermittent fevers. This is a powerful tonic, and deserves the attention of the American physician. It has been found very useful, as a stomachic, in the diseases of our horses. * See Di'. Duncan's Medical Commentaries, foi- the year 1793. Vol. xviii p. 445. j For some ir.formntion concerning- the medical propei'ties of the Lirioden- dron, I must refer my readers to a short ]5aper, by Dr. Rush, in tlie Trans- actions of the College of Physicians of Philadelphia. Vol. I. Part. I. p. 183 — 185, rViiladelnhia: 1793. ( 15 ) The Snake-root, the Aristolochia Serpentaria, is one of thf more stimulatinq; tonic bitters. It is certainly a valuable medicine, in the second stage of certain fe- vers, after the inflammatory diathesis has been removed. It was used, with great benefit, in a most malignant fever, attended with carbuncles, which prevailed at Bristol, on the Delaware, in this state, in the years 1749 and 1753. Another species of this genus, the Aristolochia sipho of L'Heritier, grows in the neighbourhood of Pittsburgh, and in other parts of the United- States. This is a large, climbing plant. The root has a pungent, aromatic taste, and for certain purposes is, perhaps, preferable to the common Snake-root. I SHALL conclude this subject of tonics by observ- ing, that we possess a good many of the bitter plants of Europe, which have long claimed the attention of phy» sicians. Our Gentians have not been carefully examin- ed. We have one species which appears to be equal to any of the officinal kinds yet known. » Section III. Stimulants, or Incitants. The class of Stimulants, or Incitants, is so very extensive, that in order to exhibit a methodical or natural medical arrangement of these articles, it would be necessary to consider them under a number of differ-; ent heads, or sections. But this, in such a sketch as 1 offer you, does not appear necessary. I shall content myself, therefore, with speaking of a few of our native ( 1« ) stimulant vegetables, under the two heads of such as are more general, and such as are more partial, or topi- cal, in their operation. § I. General Stimulants. I THINK that many of our different balsamic pro- ducts ma}', with propriety, be considered under the head of general stimulants, though they are cer- tainly not the most diffusible articles of this class. Such is the resin of the Populus balsamifera, called Balsam, or Tacamahaca-tree. This is a native of North- America and of Siberia. The resin is procured from the leaf- buds. This balsam is so very penetrating, that it communicates its peculiar smell and taste to the flesh of certain birds, which feed upon the buds. Jr was formerly supposed, that the Tacamahaca of the shops was the produce of this tree. But it seems more proba- ble, that it is the produce of the Fagara octandra"*. The gum-resin which exudes from the Sweet- gum, or Maple-leaved Liquidambar-tree, the Liquid- ambar Styraciflua of Linnseus, deserves to be mention, ed. The storax of the shops is thought to be the pro- duce of this tree: but, perhaps, this point is not yet quite ascertainedf. I am informed, that the produce of * The Fagara octandra is a small tree, which grows spontaneously in Curacoa, and other West-India Islands, and also (according to Sonnerat) in the Isle of France, in the East-Indies. I It is more probable, perhaps it is certain, tiiat the storax is the produce of the Styrax officinale, a tree which grows spontaneously in Italy, the south- ern parts of France, Ethiopia, and other countriec of the old world. It is also said to be a native of the southern parts of the United-States. This, I think, is very doubtful. There are, however, in the United-States at leaS*. ( 1- ) our tree has been used, with advantage, m diarrhoeas*. Some of our southern Indians mix the dried leaves with tobacco, for smoking. To the head of stimulants I have no hesitation in referring a number of poisonous vegetables, with the properties of which we are not so well acquainted as we ought to be. Such are the Datura Stramonium, or James-town-weed, the Cicuta maculata, Sec, The Datura is one of our most common plants. It is certainly a medicine possessed of useful powers. The properties of this vegetable have lately been more satisfactorily investigated by one of our members, Dr. Samuel Cooper. We have several native plants of the natural order umhellifercc. That described by the late Dr. James Greenwayt, under the name of Cicuta venenosa, should be carefully investigated. This, from his ac- count, must either be a direct sedative, or a stimulant, whose first operation is very soon accomplished. It kills without inducing pain or convulsions. Perhaps, the plant with which some of our Indians, when weary two indigenous species of the genus St3rax, vb,. the Styrax grandifolium and Styrax Isevigatum of Aiton. Of the medical properties of these, I know no- thing. * The root of tliis I.iquidambar, boiled in milk, has been used, with much advantage, in cases of dysentery and diarrlioea. The patient is directed to drink freely of the decoction. The gam-resin itself made into an ointment with mutton suet, has been found very beneficial, externally applied, as ait antispsoric, in difierent cutaneous afTectlons. \ See Transactions of tlie American Philosophical Society. Vol. III. No xxix. In Virginia, this plant Is called Wild-Carrot, Wild-Parsnip, Fever-root, and Mock-Ee)-root. D ( 18 ) of life, destroy themselves, is the same. It grows iii meadows, and has a root like a parsnip. Before I take leave of these poisonous plants, I may mention some others, whose properties are but lit- tle known. The first is the Rhododendron maximum, or Pennsylvania Mountain-Laurel. This is certainly a poison. It is a species of the same genus as the Rhodo- dendron Chrysanthum, which has lately acquired much reputation in the cure of chronic rheumatism*. Nearly allied to the Rhododendron is the genus Kalmia. Of this we have several species, and all of them are poisons. The Kalmia latifolia, or Broad-leaved Lau- rel, is best known to us. It kills sheep and other ani- mals. Our Indians sometimes use a decoction of it to destroy themselves. In the county of Lancaster, an em- piric has used the powdered leaves, with success, in certain stages of fevers, and in tinea capitis. A decoction of the plant, externally applied, has often cured the itch; but it must be used with great care, for thus applied it has been known to occasion disagreeable subsultus, or startings, and convulsions. I have given the powder of this plant internally in a case of fever, and have thus, at least, ascertained, that it may be used with safety. * The Rhododendron Chns;\nthuni is a fine slinib, wliich grows sponta- neously upon the summits of the mountains In the neiglibourhoodof the river JeniSea in Asia; upon the mountains about tlie lake of Baical; through the whole of the country of Eastern Siberia; in the Peninsula of Kamtschatka, and in Bchring's island, between the continents of Asia and America. It is not improbable (as Asia possesses so manj" vegetables and animals in com- mon with North- America) tliat this species of Rhododendron will also be found native within tlie limits of the latter continent; perhaps upon some of the great ranges of mountains in tlie United-States. Upon the Cheerake- Tnountains, in North-Carolina, my friend Mr. William Bartram discovered a beautiful new species of Rhododendron, which he has named Rhododen- dron aromaticum. It is the Rhododendron punctatum of Willdeoow. ( 19 ) The medical properties of our different species of Andromeda and Azalea, which, in botanical character, are very nearly akin to the Rhododendron and Kalmia, are but little known to me. I have long suspected that they are poisons. A decoction of the Andromeda Mari- ana has been found useful, as a wash, in a disagreeable ulceration of the feet, which is not uncomnwn among the slaves, &c., in the southern states. The Gaultheria procumbens, which we call Moun- tain-tea*, is spread very extensively over the more barren, mountainous parts of the United- States. It belongs to the same class as the plants just mentioned. I have made use of a strong infusion of this plant, which is evidentlypossessed of a stimulant and anodyne quality. I am told it has been found an useful medicine in cases of asthma. But I have not learned to what particular forms of this disease it is best adapted, nor in what manner it operates. Our native species of Laurus deserve to be investi- gated. The Camphor and the Cinnamon belong to this genus: but, hitherto, they have not been discovered within the limits of the United- States. The properties of the Common Sassafras, which is a species of Laurus, have not been sufficiently examined. It is the Laurus Sassafras of the botanists. I have already mentioned the bark. Its oil seems to be an useful medicine. I have been assured, that this oil has been found an efficacious re- medy, externally applied, in cases of wens. This looks probable; for our medicine is nearly allied to camphor, * It is also called Berried-tea, Grouse -berry, and Deer-berries. If I do not mistake, this is one of the principal articles in the materia medica of some of our Indian tribes. In the lanjfuag'e of some of the Indians of Canada, it is called Pnllom ( 20 ) which has been used with advantage in bronchocele* 1 knew a woman in whom an infusion or tea of the root of the Sassafras always induced an oppression at the breast, with sighing and depression of spirits. During the late American war, necessity drove the inhabitants, in many parts of the United- States, to seek for a substitute for some of the spices to which they had been accustomed. They used the dried and powder- ed berries of the Laurus Benzoin, which we call Spice- wood, and Wild-Alspice-bush, and found them a tole- rable substitute for alspicef. The celebrated Ginseng, or Panax quinquefolium, may, with propriety, be thrown into the class of stimu- lants:[.. I find it difficult to speak of this plant with any degree of certainty. If it were not a native of our woods, it is probable that we should import it, as we do the teas of China and Japan, at a high price. The Eryngium aquaticum, or Water- Eryngo, is one of the stimulants which more especially act as su- dorifics. It is nearly allied, in its qualities, to the contra- yerva of the shops. It is one of the medicines of our southern Indians. Thev use the decoction. ' The oil nibbed upon the head has been found very useful in killing lice.The bark, especiaDy that of the root, powdered and mixed with pomatum, has the same effect. J. I " and is much used by the country people. It is said the Indians esteemed ■'' it highly for its medicinal virtues." Reverend Dr. M. Cutler. t The Ginseng is by no means a powerful stimulant. It is not very happily iU-ranged in the class o^ JMedicanienta Sthnidantia^ov Incitaiitia. The Indians make use of a tea prepared of the leaves as well as the root of this plant. But 1 cannot learn, that they so higlily esteem the Ginseng as their Tartar bre- thren in Asia do. ( 21 ) Among the more acrid stimulants of our country, I may mention the Arum triphyllum, or Indian-Turnip, as it is most commonly called. I could wish that the pro- perties of this plant were examined with attention. The leaves of a plant a good deal allied to this, I mean the Dracontium pertusum of the botanists, are employed, by the Indians of Demcrara, in a very singular manner, in the treatment of general dropsy. The whole body of the patient is covered with leaves. An universal sweat, or rather vesication, is induced, and the patient often recovers. Perhaps, it would be worth trying this prac- tice in cases of anasarca, which have resisted the usual modes of treatment*. * This fact was communicated to me by my friend, the late Mr. Julius Voa Rohr, a g-entleman whose death is a real loss to natural science, and perhaps an irreparable loss to the interests of an injured and oppressed part of man- kind: I mean the Blacks. In the summer of 1793, I took my last adieu of this learned botanist, and most amiable man. He sailed, from New-York, for the coast of Africa, where he contemplated the establishment of a colony of Blacks. A few days after he had landed on the African continent, he died of a iTialig-nant fever. With him, I fear, has perished, for a long time at least, one of the best concerted schemes for the safe and liappy emancipation of the swarthy children of Africa. Von Rohr was another Howard. In bene- volence and good sense, he was, at least, equal to the great English philan- thropist. In science certainly, and perhaps in the simplicit}' of his conduct, and the unambitious fervour of his zeal, he was his superior. Of all the men I have ever known, he appeared to me to be most eminently entitled to the character of a Practicvl Christi.^n. Mr. Von Rohr was a native of Denmark. I hope his countrymen will do justice, if they liave not already done it, to his great merits. It is the vice of ingratitude, it is even criminal, to suffer so much disinterested goodness, as inhabited the bosom of my friend, to sleep, neglected, in the grave. Happy should I esteem myself, if I could hope, that this feeble, this retired tribute to the memory of one of the best of men, might lead those who knew him long and well, to do «// justice to his virtues. With his merits in science, no man was better acquainted than ^hc learned Professor Fabriciu's. ( 22 ) § II. Topical Stimulants. By the Topical stimulants, I mean those arti- cles which more especially increase the action or living powers of the parts to which they are applied, and which, at the same time, generally produce a discharge of fluid from the part. The Cantharis is one of these articles: but of this, as an animal body, and not a native, I have nothing to say*. * The United-States, rich in the articles of the materia medica, furnish us with several species of insects, wiiich may be employed as valuable sub- stitutes for the cantliarides of the shops. It is my intention to publish a par- ticular and full account (illustrated with coloured engravings) of these in- sects. It may not be amiss, in the mean while, to observe, that the species commonly called " Potatoe-Fly," which is now inuch employed (and which I have often employed) as an epispastic, is the Lytta vittata of Fabricius: the Cantharis vittata of Olivier. This, during certain seasons, is so extremely common in many parts of the Union, that it might be collected and sold at a much cheaper rate tlian the foreign cantharides of the shops, to which it is by no means inferior in strength. On tiie contrary, from frequent employ- ment of the two articles, I cannot liesltate to prefer the American to the foreign fly. Long'-keeping, ])rovided it be carefully kept, does not materially impair the blistering property of tlie Lytta vittata. At the end of three or four years after being collected, I have found it equal in power to the best shop cantharides. This insect, though commonly called the Potatoe-Fly, is frequently met with upon other vegetables of very different natural families, such as gai'den peas and beans, species of Antiaranthus, the Actrea racemosa (formerly mentioned), and others. Besides this, there are, in the Uni- ted-States, several otlicr species of the genus Lytta, such as Lytta atrata, Lytta marginata, &c. — 1. Lytta atrata (of wliich I have observed two varieties, differing both in size and in the shades of colour) is an extremely common insect, in many parts of North-America. It is most commonly found, in the autumn, upon different species of syngenrious plants, such as Aster, Solida- go, &c. Thougli inferior in power to the Lytta vittata, it is well worthy of the attention of physicians, and may always, I think, be collected in quantity nearly sufficient to answer thedernand of the practilioner. — 2. Lytta marginata of Fabricius (the Cantharis marginata of Olivier) i.s muchless common: but it is more powerful tlian either of the preceding species. — 3. Lytta cinerea is also very powerful, but not common; at least within tlie field of my explora- tions. The blistering property of these two insects is so very great, that the discovery of them, in large quantities, would be a matter of great impor- tance to the interests of medicine. Though they inhabit (one of the species, in iiarticuJar) plants of a very acrid iiature, it does not appear, tltat from this ( 23 ) The bark of our White- Walnut, or Butternut, the Juglans cinerea of Wangenheim, is a pretty efficacious blister. The bark of the root is more powerful than that of the stem or branches. It has been applied, with advantage, as a blister, to the bite of some of our veno- mous serpents*. I BELIEVE the bark of our Moose- wood, or Leather- wood, the Dirca palustris of Linnaeus, is also a blister. This plant, by its botanical habit, is nearly allied to the genus Daphne, all the species of which are blisters; especially the Daphne Gnidium. Some of our Indians make use of a plant, which, when mashed a little, induces nearly as good a blister as the cantharides. It has been used with advantage in sciatica. I do not know this plant. The Ranunculus sceleratus, or Celery-leaved Crowfoot, is a very acrid plant. If it be bruised, and laid upon any part of the body, it will, in a few hours time, raise a blister. This plant is a native of Europe and of America. The Ranunculus bulbosus, called Bulbous Crowfoot, and Butter-cups, possesses the same properties. This plant grows very plentifully in our meadows and fields; but I believe it is not a na- tive. To this head of topical stimulants, I may refer sevc- ral species of the genus Rhus, or Sumac; particularly source they derive nnuch, if any, oi" tluir peculiar power: for I fuul tlmt tlicsc insects exert eqtmlly energ-etic effects upon the liuman skin, wlicn they have been confined entirely to a diet of vegetables of a very mild nature, such as the legunilna, &.c. — Nuvcmber 30t!i, 1810. * See Transactions of the American Plillosophical Society Vo] HI. p. \02, 105, 114. ( ^4. ) the Rhus radicans, or Poison-vine; the Rhus vernix, or Vernice-tree; and the Rhus Toxicodendron, or Poi- son-oak. In many persons they induce a peculiar and very troublesome vesication, which I have frequently removed, in a short time, by means of a mercurial wash. These plants are more active in the southern than in the northern climates. They more readily poison immedi- ately after than before a full meal. Their stimulant effect is extended beyond the skin. It is said that the bark of one species (but I cannot tell you what species) has been found useful in intermittents. Section IV. Errhines. I HAVE but little to say under the head of Er- RHTNEs, or Sternutatory Medicines. Ournative vegetables of this class, with the exception of the To- bacco, are but little known to me. Of the Tobacco, as being so well known to you all, I need say nothing. The brown powder which is attached to the foot- stalks of the leaves of the Andromeda, the Kalmia, and the Rhododendron, formerly mentioned to you, is con- siderably errhine. The powder about the seeds, in the seed-vessels of the same vegetables, possesses a similar quality. Whether this powder may be advantageously employed in practice, I cannot say. We have man}^ native species of the genus Euphor- bia, or Spurge. There can be little doubt, that some of them are sternutative*. * The leaves of tlie Arficrican Canadense are errhine. To this sliort nnd imperfect list of the native errhine plants of the United-States, I must ( 25 ) Section V. Sialagoca. The number of Salivating Medicines is, I be- lieve, much greater than has been commonly imagined. Perhaps, there are but few of the Incitant medicines which may not be so managed as to salivate. Opium, camphor, and hemlock* all induce saiivationf- not omit to add the Hclenlum autumnale of Linncuus. This is an extremely common plant in many parts of the Union, growing generally along the mar- gins of rivers, and flowering from the latter part of the summer through the autumn. The leaves and flowers of this plant possess the sternutative quality in an eminent degree: but it is strongest in the flowers, and especially in the florets of the disk. A very small quantity of these florets reduced to u powder between the fingers, or otherwise, gives a strong and durable im- pression, W'hen applied to the nose. Such, indeed, is the degree and dura- bility of impression, without at the same time, any of the violent and danger- ous stimulus, which is the consequence of the application of the juices and other preparations of certain species of Euphorbia, of Veratrum album. Sec, that I do not hesitate to consider the Helenium autumnale (or Sneeze-weed, as it is called in some parts of Virginia, &c.) as a valuable addition to the list of our useful medicines. It may be employed either by itself, or combined with other vegetable matters; or along with sulphat of mercury, as amercu- rial errhine. The good and important effects of these mercurial errhines, and even of the simple vegetable errhines, are frequently so obvious, tliat it is to be regretted that they are not more frequently resorted to by physicians, in cases of amaurosis, or gutta serena; in cases of deafness, especially perhaps when the affection depends upon a morbid state of the eustachian tube; in cases of rheumatic congestions of the jaws, &.c. In all these cases the er- I'hine medicines have often been employed with much advantage by physi- cians: and it is a fact that they sometimes give relief when other measures, more generally applied, have been applied in vain.— ——A species of Vera- trum, or Helonias, nearly allied to the Veratrum album of the old continent, is a pretty common plant in many parts of the United-States, and seems to possess the same sternutative and other active projicrties, that tlie foreign plant does. The American plant, to which 1 allude, is the Verutrum virido of Alton; the Helonias viridis of some later botanists. — —December 2d, 1810. * Conium maculatum. f There are many well-attested instances of the salivating power of tliese three medicineSw Hemlock, in particular, has been observed to produce thi^; effect. I have seen, in a case of mania, a pretty extensive salivation induced by camphor. The patient, who had long been ill, was completely cured. Thii. case occurred, under mv care, in the Pennsylvania Hospital. E ( 26 ) I AM but little acquainted with our indigenous sali- vative vegetables. The Seneca Snake- root has, long since, been observed to possess this property*. The Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis, or Tooth-ach- tree, is a very powerful stimulant. Applied to the mouth and internal fauces, it occasions a copious flow of saliva. By this property, it appears to be a good deal allied to the Pyrethrum, Cochelaria, &:c. I am informed that our plant is not merely an external sialagogue, but that even when taken into the stomach, it exerts its effects upon the salivary glands. I speak of the bark of the plant: but the seed-vessels have the same property. This medicine has been given internally in cases of rheumatism. Section VI. Emetics. Amoxg the indigenous vegetables of our country, there are several which are entitled to your intention as Emetics. Such are the Euphorbia Ipecacuanha, the Spiraea trifoliata, the Asarum Canadense, &:c. The first of these, the Euphorbia Ipecacuanha, like all the species of the genus, is an extremely active plantf. It is employed as an emetic by some of the coun- * In a case of hydrothorax (complicated with anasarca), that came under my own notice, the patient, a lady about fifty years of age, was very profuse- ly salivated by the use of a strong' decoction of the Seneca. f Tliis species of Euphorbia, or Spurge, grows spontaneously in various parts of the United-States. In the state of Jersey, within a few miles of Plii- ladelphia, it is pretty common, growing in the dry and sandy soil It flowers early in the spring. It is tl;e root which is employed. ( 27 ) try-people. I do not know the dose. I suppose it is small, for it belongs to the head of drastic emetics. I am not certain that it would be a valuable addition to the materia medica; but, perhaps, it would. There are many cases in which we have occasion to make use of immediate and active emetics; as when certain poisons, such as laudanum, &;c. have been swallowed. In such cases it may, possibly, be of much use. I CAN speak with more confidence of the Spireea trifoliata. This is a shrub, which grows very plentifully in various parts of the United- States. It is one of the few active plants of the class Icosanclria, to which it be- longs*. The root, which is the part made use of, like that of the officinal ipecacuanha, consists of a cortex or bark, and a ligneous or woody part. The active power of the root seems to reside exclusively in the bark. It is a safe and efficacious emetic, in doses of about thirty grains. Along with its emetic, it seems to possess a tonic, power. It has, accordingly, been thought peculiar- ly beneficial in the intermittent fever; and it is often given to horses to mend their appetite. This plant has a number of different names, such as Ipecacuanha, In- dian-Physic, Bowman's root, &c. We have several species of the genus Asarum, or Asarabacca. I am best acquainted with the Asarum Canadense, which is well known by the name of Wild- * Linnxus thought It very remark:ible, that a plant belonging-, as this does, to the order of Senticosx, should possess such active powers. " Sp!>\ca:ii tri- foliatam Ipccacuanam vocant & vomitum facere dicunt, quod sane sing-ulare esset in l\oc ordine:" viz. Senticosx. Caroli a Linne, M. D. Frxlectiones in Or- dines Naturahs Plantarmn. Edidit P. D. Gisekc. p. 449. Hamburgi: 1792. But it might be sliown, that other plants of the same natural order are con- siderably active. Not to mention others, it Avill be sufliicient to observe, in this place, that the Spirxa Opuli folia, well known, in the United-States, by tlic namf' of Nine-Bark, is by no means an inert vcp.'etal;le. ( 2B ) Ginger*. In Virginia, it is called Coltsfoot. Both the root and leaves may be used. The expressed juice ol the fresh leaves is a powerful emetic. Some of our Indians also prepare an emetic from the bark of a certain vine, which a good deal resembles the Celastrus scandens of Linneeus. This vine bears bunches of red berries of a sweetish taste, but of a poi- sonous nature. I know nothing of this plant from my own experience; but a gentlemauf who has used it prefers it to every other emetic. The Indians make a decoc- tion of the bark. A large dose is required to produce the effect. This is certainly an objection against its use. A DECOCTION of the Eupatorium perfoliatum, or Thorough-wort+, is also emetic. I might have observ- ed, that this plant is used by our Indians as a medicine in intermittent fevers. The root of the Sanguinaria Canadensis^ has been mentioned to me as an emetic. I know nothing parti- cular of this property of the plant. I should have observ- ed, under the head of general stimulants, that the seeds appear to possess nearly the same quality as the seeds of the Datura Stramonium. I HAVE been assured, that the Six-Nations make use of at least twelve or fourteen different emetics. All * This has already been mentioned, as an errhine medicine. See page S'l- I Mr. John Heckewelder. + In some of the New-England states, this plant is called Thorough-wax. This, like a very large proportion of the American names for plants, is mis- applied. The Thorough-wax of the English is a species of Bupleuriim, a plant, toto coelo, different from the Eupatorium perfoli.itum. § Called, in the United-States, Indian-Paint, Puccoon, Turmeric, &,c. ( 29 ) of them, except the sulphat of iron, are vegetables. It is probable that the Spiraea Ipecacuanha, Euphorbia Ipecacuanha, &c. are among the number of these vege- table emetics. I SHALL conclude this subject of emetics by recom- mending to your attention an examination of the pro- perties of some of our native species of Viola, or Vio- let. I suspect it will be found, that the roots of some of these are indued with an useful emetic quality. Section VII. Cathartics. We have many indigenous Cathartics. Some of them are well worthy of your attention. These may be divided into two kinds, the milder, and the more drastic. Among the more mild, I may mention the Trioste- um perfoliatum, sometimes called Bastard-Ipecacuanha. This, when given in very large doses, sometimes proves emetic; hence the vulgar name. But I find it a good cathartic. The cortex, or bark, of the root is employ- ed. I give it in doses of twenty and thirty grains. On some occasions, it has seemed to operate as a diuretic. But this may have been only an accidental circumstance. Rhubarb sometimes produces the same efi'ect, as has been observed by C. Piso. Nearly allied to the Triosteum, I mean in its pro- perties, is the Asclepias decumbens. This is one of ( 30 ; our most beautiful and common plants. It has received many vulgar names, such as pleurisy-root, Flux-root, Butterfly-weed, &c. It has been much celebrated, es- pecially in Virginia, as a remedy in dysentery. I have used it, and I think with advantage. I believe it does good principally by its purgative quality. The dose is from twenty to thirty grains of the root, in powder. A great deal has been said about the virtue of this vegeta- ble in pleurisy. — The powder of this Asclepias is escar- otic, and has been found useful in restraining fungous flesh in ulcers. I believe this, and not the Poke*, a^ has been supposed, is the plant Vv'hich is employed by our southern Indians, in cases of venereal chancre. The dried fruit of our Papaw, or Custard -apple, the Annona triloba of Linnaeus, is likewise purgative. I can say nothing of it from my own experience. I KNOW nothing, from experience, of the Mecha- meck^ or Wild-Rhubarb, of some of our Indians. It is, certainly, a species of Convolvulus, or Bind-weed, and I believe the Convolvulus panduratusf , which in Vir- ginia is called Wild Potatoe. Its name, Wild-Rhu- barb, implies that it is a purgative. An extract but lit- tle, if any thing, inferior to the Scammony of the shops, has been procured from one of our species of Convolvu- lus. One must have a good deal of medical faith to believe what Catesby has said concerning the remarka- ble power of the Convolvulus purpureus, or Purple- Bind weed J. * Phytolacca dccandrr!;, f It is, without doubt:, the Convolvulus panJuratus. Tins plant is called, in t!ie state of Delaware, AVild-Potiitne-Viiie; and the root Kussauder, or Kas- sader (which is a corruption of the word Cassada); Negro names, I presume. \ The Natural History of Carolina, f-x. Vol. I. p. 3.5. ( 31 } More active than any of the native purgatives, which I have mentioned, is the Podophyllum peltatum of Linnaeus. This is a very common plant through the whole of the United- States, and in other parts of North- America. It is known by a variety of names, such as May-apple, Mandrake, Ipecacuanha, Wild-lemons, &c. The fruit is esculent, and by many persons is thought delicious. The leaves are poisonous. It is the root which is used in practice. In doses of twenty grains, it is an excellent cathartic. It has some advantages over the rhubarb and jalap. It is most advantageously used in combination with calomel, or the crystals of tartar. I have heard much of the virtues of an extract prepared of this root; but have never used it. There is a plant which was thought by Linnaeus to be a species of the same genus. He called it Podo- phyllum diphyllum. I have shown, that it is a new ge- nus*'. I have not been able to collect a sufficient quan- tity of this to ascertain its powers; but, judging by the taste and smell, which it must be confessed are some- times fallacious tests, I suspect its root possesses the virtues of the May-apple, or Podophyllum peltatum. The Cassia Marilandica, one of our finest plants, be- longs to the same genus as the senna of the shops. The American species possesses nearly the same virtues as the Eastern species. It is used as a purgative, in dilier- €nt parts of the United- States. An extract prepared from the inner bark of the Jug- lans cinerea, or Butternut- Walnut, has long been used as a purgative m the United-States. It is a valuable ' Sfc, Transaction-s of the Amcrlciiu Philosophical Society. Vol II!. No. ^1; ( 32 ) medicine. As it is often, however, very carelessly pre- pared by the country-people, it has gone into some kind of neglect. It ought to be prepared by the better in- formed apothecaries, and have a place in the Pharma- copoeia of this country, when such a desideratum SHALL BE SUPPLIED. The dosc of this extract is from ten to thirty grains. I have thought it possesses some- thing of an anodyne property. I HAVE been told, that some of our Indians use as a cathartic a decoction of the bark of the root of the Dir- ca palustris, or Leather- wood, already mentioned to you. Of this property of the Dirca I know nothing far- ther. Th e decoction or powder of the root of the Polygala Senega, or Seneca Snake-root, is also a purgative. Dr. CuUen, indeed, thinks its purgative is its most striking property, and therefore he arranges it under his head of cathartics*. Some of our native species of Iris, or Flag, are pow- erful cathartics. Such are the Iris versicolor, and the Iris verna. They are both used by our southern Indi- ansf. I can say nothing certain concerning the dose of these vegetables. It is doubtless small, for they are very active plants. Several of the European species of Iris are irritating cathartics. A species of Croton, or perhaps of Stillingia, is * " I liave put It Into the catalogue of purgativeSj as this is the only ope- '■ ration of it that is constantly very evident; and perhaps all its otiier virtues " dei)cnd upon this." A Treatise of the rvlateria Mtdica. Vol. II. p. 552. Edinbur-h: 17S9. 4to. •: Mr. William Bartram. ( 33 ) used in the southern states, as a cathartic. It enters into the composition of a medicine which has acquired much celebrity in the cure of that hideous disease the frambassia, or yaws. This plant grows spontaneously on the dry, high lands of Carolina, Georgia, and Florida. It is called Yaw-weed, and Cock-up-Hat. The Stillin- gia sylvatica, perhaps the very plant I have been speak- ing of, is said to be a specific in the venereal disease*^ • Bernard Romans says, the Jalap grows wild near Pensacola, in West- Florida. Possibl}'^, he has mistaken for it some otlier species of Convolvulus. I am now persuaded, tliat the genuine Jalap of the shops (the Convolvulus Jalapa of Linnaeus, of which Mr. Desfontaines has lately published an ample history, illustrated by a fine engraving) is not, as lias been asserted, a native of any part of the United-States: nor do I believe it occurs, as an indigenous plant, in West-Florida. The plant alluded to by Romans is, in all probability, the Ipomoea macrorhiza of Michaux {Flora Boreali-Aonericana, &.c. Tom, i. p. 141.), which this writer mentions as a native of the maritime parts of Georgia and Florida. The root is very large, sometimes weighing at least fifty or sixty pounds. It is found to be a good cathartic, and well worthy of a place in the shops, but it is inferior to tlie best Jalap of the shops. The pow- der of the root is of a paler colour than Jalap, and much more resembles the Mechoacan of the shops. Possibly, they are not different. A late very respectable writer (Mr. Persoon) has given it as his opinion, that Michaux's plant (Ipomoea maci-orhlza) is no other tlian the genuine Jalap. But this is, unquestionably a mistake. The true Jalap is a species of Convolvulus. — The Ricinus ccnnmunis, from the seed of whicli we procure that invaluable purgative medicine, tlie Castor-oil (so indispensably necessary in the treat- ment of colica pictoneum, dysentery, and many of the affections of children especially), grows wild and in great abundance, upon the river St. John, in the Peninsula of East-Florida. It is now cultivated in many parts of the United-States, and is deemed, even in a pecuniary point of view, an object worthy of the attention of many of our farmers and planters in Maryland, Virginia, the state of Ohio, &:c. — 1810. F ( 34 ) Section VIII. Diuretics. Diuretics have so long been employed, with be- nefit, in the treatment of dropsies, that it becomes a matter of consequence to increase the number of the medicines of this class, and to learn how to exhibit, with more advantage, those which are already known. I do not mean by this observation to assert, that drop- sies cannot be cured without the use of diuretic medi- cines. On the contrary, I am persuaded that they can, and often are, especially when the dropsy depends upon fever, or is connected with it. But, in the management of all kinds of dropsies, it is often necessary to have re- course to the use of diuretics, and I believe that some of the worst forms of this disease, such as hydrothorax, are most effectually cured by these medicines. The Digitalis purpurea, so much and so justly celebrated at present, is not, to m}" knowledge, a native of any part of America*. But we have several native diuretics, which deserve the attention of our physicians. Such are the Seneca- Snake-root, the Lobelia siphilitica, the Serratula spicata, the Cassena, and others. The first of these, the Polygala Senega of the bota- nists, along with its diuretic, possesses an emetic, ca- thartic, expectorant, salivating, and diaphoretic power. • I have, somewhei'e, seen the Digitalis enumerated among the indige- nous medicinal vegetables of the United-States. I know not, however, upon ■what authority, it is called an American plant. I suspect, sMne species of Gerardia has been taken for it. The Digitalis, however, be^s, extremely well, the open ground of Penn,s3lvania, and other parts of the United-States. It will, in time, assume the appearance of a native, among the many other foreign vegetables, which (especially in the older-settled parts of the Uni- ted-States) are commonly considered as natives, though, in fact, they are merely naturalized foreigners. ( 35 ) I have already hinted at its salivating and cathartic ope- ration. As a diuretic, it has been employed, and found useful, in dropsy, by Tennent, Bouvart, and other wri- ters. I am informed, that it has lately been used, with great success, in the treatment of the cynanche trachea- lis, or croup, by Dr. Archer of Maryland. He uses a strong decoction of the root, which operates as an eme- tic, cathartic, and expectorant. This medicine some- times operates so powerfully as a sudorific, that I have been assured it has been knovvn to remove portions of the mucous body, or rete mucosum, from the skin of blacks who have used it. I do not vouch for the truth of this fact: but I must confess that to me the circum- stance does not seem improbable. Our Indians use a decoction of this root in syphilis*. I have no confi- dence in the powers which have been ascribed to the Seneca, in curing the bite of the rattle- snakef. Besides the Polygala Senega, we have several other native spe- cies of this genus. I do not know how far they possess the powers which have been ascribed to the Seneca it- self. It is probable that they only differ in degree^. Kiemander, a long time ago, remarked that the Polyga- la vulgaris, which grows spontaneously in Europe, pos- sesses, though in a less eminent degree, the virtues of the celebrated American species§. * They also make use of it In the malig'nant sore -throat! a disease often very closely allied, to croup. I See Transactions of the American Philosophical Society. Vol. III. No. xi. i: From some experiments which I have made with the Polygala sangiii- i)ea, which g-rows abundantly in the vicinity of Philadelphia, I am led to think, that this species may be employed, as an excellent substitute for the common species, now in use. § See his paper, entitled Radix Seneg-a, in tlic Amoenitatcs Academica-. Vol. II, Dissertatio xxii. ( 36 ) The Lobelia siphilitica is also considerably diuretic. This plant was purchased from the northern Indians, by the late Sir William Johnson, as a remedy in the ve- nereal disease: hence its specific name, siphilitica. I do not believe, after paying some attention to the subject, that this plant has cured confirmed syphilis. I know that the Indians, even those who are best acquainted with the plant, are glad to have an opportunity of applying to the Whites for relief, when they have the disease. They, certainly, do not trust the cure entirely to the Lobelia. They use the bark of the Wild-cherry (Prunus Virginiana), the root of the May-apple (Podophyllum peltatum), and many other plants*. I believe, however, that the Lobelia has been of service in the disease. In gonorrhoea it has certainly performed a cure; but the tendency of the constitution, unaided by medicines, to get rid of this complaint, is well known. I may here observe, that gonorrhoea appears to be much more com- mon among the Indians than syphilis. The Lobelia seems to operate chiefly by its diuretic quality. From their ignorance of botany, many persons in the western * After a careful and pretty extensive inquiry into the subject, I liave nearly satisfied myself, that the disease of syphilis was entirely unknown among-the North-American Indians, before they became acquainted with the Whites. Many of our Indians (in truth, I believe all the tribes) speak of it as a foreig-n disease, communicated by tlie Whites. In this respect, they ar- range syphilis (including gonorrhoea) along with small-pox, measles, and some other affections, which are, unquestionably, of foreign origin. I am not i^iorant, tiiat tlie late governor M Lewis was led by his observations among The Indians in the western parts of North-America, towards the Pacific ocean, to suppose, and even to assert, that the small-pox is truly one of the Indigenous diseases of North-America. But I am persuaded, that there is a fallacy in tliis observation, as I shall show in an express essay on the diseases and remedies of the Indians: and in this essay, I shall also give, at some length, my reasons for believing, that neither syphilis nor gonoi-rhoea were known, in any part of North- America, prior to the conquest of Mexico and Florida, by the armies of Cortes and Soto, in the beginning and towards tlie middle of the 16th century.— 1810. ( 37 ) country have been using a plant, which they call Lobe- lia, in the same complaints. I have received specimens of the plant under the name of Lobelia. It proves to be the Serratula spicata*, or Spiked Saw-wort. There is good reason to believe, that it has been found useful, not only in venereal complaints, but also in cases of ne- phritis calculosa, or gravel. Thus ignorance some- times LEADS TO KNOWLEDGE. This supposed LobcUa is a powerful diuretic. The Indians sometimes drink the decoction of it so strong, that it occasions gleetsf. It is the root of the plant which is commonly employed, but the flowers and the leaves may also be used. An infusion of another species of Lobelia, I believe the Lobelia inflataj, has been found very useful in the leucorrhoea, or whites. It is a lactescent, and very ac- • The Serratula spicata of Linna«us is now referred to the genus Liatris, and is the Liatris spicata of \ViU leu.'W and Persoon: — the Liatris macros . tachya of Michuux. It is a common plant in many parts of the L^nited-States, growing especially in the mountainous tracts of country. — 1810. ■j" They cure these gleets by eating turpentine, as I am informed bj^ my respectable friend Colonel Winthrop Sargent, late Governor of the Missis- sippi-Territory. An old Indian assured Mr. Sargent, that a decoction of tliis Serratula cures syphilis, in all its forms. Dr. Allison, one of the army-phy- sicians, has an high opinion of the plant, in this disease. I am told, that a physician, at Pittsburgh, has found it an efficacious medicine in tlie gravel Itcertainl}' ought to have a fair trial in these diseases. The late r«Iajor Jona- than Hart assured me, that the Indians northwest of the Ohio could not cure confirmed syphilis. He said the Lobelia (I suppose the Scri'atida spi- cata) had been of service in slight cases: but he was persuaded tiiat tlie In- dians would fall victims to the general complaint, if they were to trust wliol- ly to their own remedies. Mr. Wilson, a gentleman well acquainted witli the Indians, particularly the Delawares and the Shawneese, most confideiuly as- sured me, that they cannot cure the venereal disease, " when it gets iiito the " blood;" but that they can cure the gonorrlioea He also said, tliey can :v- move the venereal disease for a time, but " tliat it will break out again." + I now find, that it is the inflata. This is a very common ])lant in manv parts of the United-States. Perhaps, this is the species of Lobelia, which i-. Tailed, in New-England, Emetic-weed. ( 38 ) live plant. I do not know that this acts as a diuretic, and it would have been more proper to have mentioned the plant under the head of stimulants. The Cassena is a species of Ilex, or Holly. It is the Ilex vomitoria of Alton, and is a native of Carolina, West- Florida, &c. It has been called South- Sea-tea, or Evergreen-Cassine. It is thought to be one of the most powerful diuretics hitherto discovered. It is held in great esteem among the southern Indians. They toast the leaves and make a decoction of them. It is the men alone that are permitted to drink this decoc- tion, which is called " Black Drink." The Medeola Virginica grows plentifully in the vicinity of this city, and in almost every other part of the United- States. Its root is white, and tastes a good deal like the cucumber, which has given the plant the name of Cucumber-root*. I am told that this root is diuretic, and has cured dropsies. The sensible quali- ties of the plant do not promise much; but this does not ^rove that it is not an useful medicine. Section IX. Anthelmintics. Of the class of medicines called Anthelmintics, or destroyers and expellers of worms, we have several which are entitled to your notice. One of the most ce- lebrated of these is the Carolina Pink-root, the Spige- lia Marilandica of Linnaeus. This is a very common * It is also called Indian Cucurnber ( 39 ) plant in our southern states. It is a valuable medicine, as has been demonstrated by the physicians of Europe, and of this country. It is commonly given in the form of an infusion, or tea; but I prefer the exhibition of it in powder. It has been accused of occasioning, for a short time, a disagreeable affection of the eyes. But this effect may often be prevented by combining with the Spigelia, some of the common Virginia Snake- root. The Cheerake-Indians have so high an opinioh of this plant, that it would sometimes be dangerous for a person to be detected in digging it up, to carry it out of the country. The Whites learned the anthel- mintic powers of this vegetable from the Indians*. The Spigelia is said to possess other valuable proper- ties. Infused in wine, it has been found an useful me- dicine in intermittent fevers. But I can say nothing particular concerning the precise mode of administering it in this case. The Chenopodium anthelminticum grows plentifully in the United- States. It is commonly called Worm- seed. The whole plant has a most powerful smell, of which it is very retentive. The taste is bitter, with a good deal of aromatic acrimony. The root of the May-apple (Podophyllum pelta- tum), which I have mentioned to you, under the head of cathartics, has often been found to operate as an an- thelmintic. It is used as such by the Checrake, and * A convincing proof of this, I apprehend, that the American Indians, in common with the rest of mankind, are subject to worms, and to the diseases arising from worms. But, moi-e than tliis, in my Memoir on the Diseases and Remedies of the Indians, I shall show, that the children of tlie savages are remarkably subject to worms, and to the larvae uf insects introduced inte the system, along with their crude, and often un wliolcSomc, aliment, ( 40 ) ofher southern Indians. Whether it operates by its ca- thartic quality exclusively, or partly by some other quality, deleterious to the worms, I cannot say. The Whites learned from the Indians the anthelmintic power of this plant*. The Helleborus foetidus, or Stinking Hellebore, has been mentioned as a powerful anthelmintic, by Bisset, and other European writers. It has been used in this country, and has been found very efficacious. It is sup- posed to have been the worm-medicine of a Dr. Witt, who acquired much reputation by the use of itf. The Cheerake use a decoction of the. root of the beautiful Lobelia Cardinalis, or Cardinal-Flower, as a remedy against worms. I have already mentioned the diuretic quality of another species of this genus, the Lobelia siphilitica. The seeds of the Common Tobacco (Nicotiana Tabacum) have also been found useful as an anthel- mintic. The Silene Virginica, or Ground-Pink, as it is called in some parts of our country, is another native anthel- mintic. A decoction of the root is used, and is said to have been found a very efficacious remedy^. * The best tiine for gs.thering' the May-apple, for medical purposes, is tlie autumn, when the leaves have turned yellow, and are about falling off". The Indians dry it in tiie shade, and powder it for use. ■j- 1 am indebted to Dr. Adam Kuhn for this information. He says that Will used the powder of the leaves, in combination with the ethiops mine- ral. It is probable, he added the ethiops merely with the view to disguise the vegetable. 4 From the information of my friend, the late learned Dr. James Green- ( 41 ) I HAVE not lost all confidence in the anthelmintic powers ascribed to the Polypodium vulgare, or Male- Fern. I do suppose, however, that too much has been ascribed to this plant. We have several native species of this genus, which it would, at least, be a matter of curiosity to examine. The Polypodium Virginianum grows about this city, and probably possesses the same powers as the European species. A VEGETABLE, Called the Pride of India*, has lately been mentioned as an excellent anthelmintic. The bark of the root has been used as such in South-Carolina. This vegetable, the Melia Azedarach of Linnaeus, is not a native of our country. I SHALL conclude this account of our anthelmintics by observing, that the southern Indians dress all their dishes, prepared of the Indian-corn, or maize (Zea Mays), with a strong lixivium, or lye, of the ashes of bean-stalks and other A^egetabies, in order to prevent the generation of worms. They are of opinion, that this grain nourishes the worms exceedingly!. Nor is this opinion peculiar to the Indians. way, of Virginia. Tins species of Silenc, or Catch-fly, grows abundantly, in many parts of the United-States, as in Pennsylvania, Virginia, &c. &c. Some of our Indians have told mc, tliat it i:; a poisonous plant. This is highly probable, if it be a fact, that it is a very efticacious anthelmintic. * In South-Carolina, it is also called Poison-Berry-tree, and China-tree. The former is its most common appellation in that state. f Cornplanter, a very intelligent Seneca chief, has said, tliat one reason why the Indians do not rear so many children as the Whites is this, that the children of the former eat large quantities o^ green maize. Certain it is, that the Indians lose great numbers of tlieir children; and I have, in their villages, remarked, that the children liave often a pallid, iinhetilthy appearance, and very tumid bellies. G 42 ) I HAVE thus, Gentlemen, endeavoured to present you with a specimen, or rather rude outhne, of An Es- say towards a Materia Medica of the United- States. My object has been a collection of facts. I could have wished for more leisure to have pursued the subject: 'but that leisure I do not possess. I hope, however, that, with all its imperfections, I have presented you with a sketch which will not prove unacceptable to you. I have opened a path, which deserves to be trod by you all. The man who discovers one valuable new medi- cine is a more important benefactor to his species, than Alexander, Cassar, or an hundred other conquer- ors. Even his glory, in the estimation of a truly civil- ized age, will be greater, and more lasting, than that of these admired ravagers of the world. I will ven- ture to eo farther. All the solendid discoveries of New- ton are not of so much real utility to the world, as the discovery of the Peruvian bark, or of the powersof OPIUM and mercury, c. the cure of certain diseases. If the distance of time, or the darkness of history, did not prevent us from ascertaining, who first discovered the properties of the Poppy, that " sweet oblivious an- tidote" for alleviating pain, and for soothing, while the memory remains, those rooted sorrows which disturb our happiness: if we could tell, who first discovered the mighty strength of Mercury in strangling the hydra of pleasures and of generation: if we could even ascertain who was the native of Peru, that first experienced and revealed to his countrymen the powers of the Bark in curing intermittent fevers; would not the civilized na- ( 43 ) tions of mankind, with one accord, concur in erecting durable monuments of granite and of brass to such be- nefactors of the species? Would not even the savage, who wants not a sense of benefits conferred upon him, be seen to form the tumulus of stones, or to raise the green sod, the only monuments his humble condition w^ould admit of his erecting? And may we not yet look for the discovery of medicines as important to mankind as Opium, the Bark, and Mercury? For this purpose (the discovery of new and valua- ble medicines), your situation, Gentlemen, is peculiar- ly happy. In the pursuit of one of the most dignified and most useful of all the sciences, you are placed in an extensive country, the productions of which have never been investigated with accuracy, or with zeal. From this school*, I will venture to call it the Punctum Sa- piens of the science of our country, you are to spread yourselves over the happiest and one of the fairest por- tions of the world. In whatever part of this vast conti- nent you may be placed, you w^ill find an abundant field of new and interesting objects to reap in. The volume of nature lies before you: it has hardly yet been open- ed: it has never been perused. But by your assistance, the knowledge of the natural productions of our coun- try may be greatly extended; and travellers shall then no longer upbraid us with an utter ignorance of the treasures which an all-benevolent Providence has so largely bestowed upon us. May I not flatter myself, that among the number of those whom I am now ad- dressing, there are some of you for whom medical dis- coveries of importance are reserved? discoveries which * Tlic Uii'nersitv of Peniis\lvania. ( 44 ) would add a lustre to your names, whilst they would ensure to you that which is much more to t)e desired, in this mixed scene of affairs, an happiness that is IMBOSOMED IN THE HAPPINESS OF ONE's COUNTRY, AND THE WORLD. END OF THE DISCOURSE. APPENDIX, CONTAINING ILLUSTRATIONS AND ADDITIONS; Jl AGE 7. " The chemical history of the Maize, or Indian corn," he. Since I deHvered this discourse to the Medical Society, I have met* with some account of Marabelli's analysis of this valuable grain. This ana- lysis is, certainly, more complete than that of any pre- ceding writer: but it is not as complete as it should be. According to Marabelli, the grain of maize " contains a " saccharine matter of different degrees of purity, from " which alcohol, the oxalic and acetous acids, may be *' obtained; a vegetable amylaceous substance, a gluti- " nous substance; muriat and nitrat of magnesia; car- " bonats of potash, lime, and magnesia; and iron." Page 8. Geranium maculatum. This, I have little doubt, is the Geranium noveboracense, which is men- tioned in Coelln's paper, entitled Specijica Canadensi- um\. On the authority of Governor Golden, it is said, in that paper, that a decoction of the root of this plant, is used by the inhabitants of New- York, in cases of dy- sentery. * In Duncan's Annals of Medicine, for the year 179B, Vol. I JI . p. 203—21 i t See Amoeiutfttes AcaUemicsc. Vol. IV. p. 52?. ( 46 ) Page 9. AcTAEA racemosa. The Indians make use ©f a decoction of this plant, along with other vegetables, as a remedy, given internally, for rheumatism: but they depend much more upon a decoction of the roots of the Actcea, externally applied. In may not be incurious to mention their manner of employing it. They make a hole in the ground, into which they put a kettle, contain- ing a quantity of the hot decoction. The rheumatic limb is laid over the kettle, in such a manner as to receive the influence of the steam. They keep up the heat of the decoction, by putting into it, occasionally, hot stones. I presume that the heat, independently of the vegetable employed, has something to do in the cure. Page 10. LiquiDAMBAR asplenifolium. Golden was informed, that the Indians chew the root of this vege- table, M'ith a view to stop htemorrhages in recent wounds. This eff"ect of the Sweet-Fern may, perhaps, meet with some credit from those who have witnessed the wonder- ful powers of small doses of the preparations of lead, in diminishing and stopping, almost immediately after their reception into the stomach, haemorrhages from the uterus, intestines, &c. Page 11. Spanish oak . In a case of gangrene of the foot, from a puncture of a nail, which came under my notice in the course of the last summer, I gave to the patient very large quantities of a decoction of this oak- bark; at the same time that the affected part was con- stantly kept wet with the same decoction, or with a poul- tice made of bread and milk, with the bark. I cannot but ascribe the recovery of my patient entirely to the use of these means; and I am emboldened to recommend to my countrymen the use of this cheap remedy, as one liighlv ^vorthy of their attention, in similar cases. ( 47 ) Page 11. Persimmon. The bark of the root of the Persimmon was one of the principal tonic medicines which were employed in the treatment of dropsies, by the late Dr. Matthew Wilson, of Lewes, in the state of Dela- ware. Of this medicine Dr. Wilson had an high opinion; and he has particularly remarked, that it gently purges; an effect which I have observed from the employment of galls, alum, and several other astringents. Many of THE ASTRINGENT MEDICINES DO PURGE. Page 12. CoRNUs florida, or common Dogwood. The bark of the root, stem, and smaller branches is used. That of the root is, by most persons, deemed the more efficacious. Sometimes, the bark of this Dog- wood is combined with that of the Liriodendron, and used either in decoction, or in substance. Page 13. " I AM well acquainted with a physician," &c. The room in which the flowers of the Magnolia glauca produced the effects here mentioned, was not a small one, and was well aired. It was in the month of June. The late Mr. S. P. of Philadelphia, was always affected with a sense of great uneasiness about his chest, and with a strong tendency to fainting, whenever he en- tered a room where the flower of this Magnolia was. — - A decoction of the bark of the root of the Magnolia is said to have been found very useful in the treatment of rheumatic affections. Page 14. The Liriodendron Tulipifera. In some parts of the United- States, the bark 'A' this tree has been used, and has acquired much reputation, as a remedy in cases of gout and rheumatism. As a medicine pos- sessing properties very nearly allied to thoiyc of the ( 48 ) callida amara^ or heating bitters, wiiich have, for ages, formed a part of the celebrated gout- powders, I think it not improbable, that the Liriodendron may have been used, with the seeming advantage of putting off, for a time, the inflammatory paroxysm of the gout. But the well-known history of the gout-powder is not calcula- ted to encourage one to use (as a remedy, for the worst of diseases) a medicine which might only alter the shape of the disease, and give it a direction to the more essen- tially important part of the human frame. Page 17. Datura Stramonium. Since the publi- cation of the first edition of my Collections.^ I have had many opportunities of employing this medicine. I have used it chiefly in the form of an extract, prepared from the fresh leaves. 1 have principally exhibited it in cases of mania and epilepsy. I cannot hesitate to say, that it is a medicine of great and invaluable powers. It is my intention to publish the particulars of the cases in ■which I have employed this medicine, in a separate work*. I shall, therefore, content myself, in this place, Avith observing, that I have found the Stramonium es- pecially beneficial in cases of mania attended with little or no fever, or with a cold skin, and languid circulation. I have thought it necessary to give the medicine in very large doses. Beginning v/ith a few grains, the dose is gradually increased, and in a few days it may, with safe- ty, be taken to the extent of fifteen or twenty grains. In one case of mania, I, at length, gave it to the extent of sixty grains, at a dose. When the patient had conti- nued upon this dose for some time, she broke out into biles upon various parts of the body, and v/as, at length, discharged from the Hospital, perfectly cured. In se- " Medical Fncts, Experiments, Observations and Inquiries. ( 49 ) veral other cases of mania, the Datura has been of es- sential use. Except in one case, I have not perceived any inconvenience from it. In this case, whilst the pa- tient was taking the medicine to the extent of thirty-two grains, it produced a very enlarged dilatation of the pu- pil of the left eye, and a palsy of the palpebra of the same eye. But even this was only a temporary incon- venience, which was removed, in a very short time, by the application of a blister. The patient resumed the use of the extract, and was finally discharged from the Hospital, apparently cured. The beneficial effects of the Stramonium in cases of epilepsy have been likewise very manifest. In a case of epilepsy, accompanied, at various periods, with fe- ver, the medicine seemed to increase the sense of fulness in the head, and other disagreeable symptoms. But in several other cases, I exhibited it with the most mani- fest advantage. Although in no case have I been able to effect a cure with the Stramonium, I have, certainly, administered it with the effect of protracting the fits, and of diminishing their violence. Perhaps, much more than this cannot be said, with a strict regard to caution, of any other of the many medicines which have been re- commended for the cure of epilepsy. I HAVE been informed, that in the state of Kentucky, the seeds of the Stramonium are sometimes exhibited, with advantage, in cases of chronic rheumatism. On this subject, I cannot say any thing from my own expe.. rience. The seeds of this vegetable are, unquestionably, endued with very active powers. This is abundantly evident from the pernicious effects which are so fre- quently observed in children, who have swallowed the H ( so ) seeds. Dr. Jolin Archer of Maryland, has found them of much advantage in cases of epilepsy*. I have used them, with seeming benefit, in a case of mania. For much information concerning the Stramonium, I refer the reader to the late ingenious Dr. Samuel Cooper's Inaugural Dissertation on the Properties and Effects of the Datura Stramonium^ &c. Philadelphia: 1797. This is a dissertation of great merit. It is well calculated to show, how much might have been expect- ed from the labours of the amiable author, had it pleased Providence to prolong his existence, to a more matured age. Page 18. Kalmia Latifolia. I have now employed the powder of the leaves of this plant, exhibited inter- nally, in some cases of tinea capitis. In this very trou- blesome disease, the Kalmia is, certainly, a medicine entitled to attention. I have also employed the powder of the leaves, made into an ointment with lard, and exter- nally applied to a disagreeable herpetic affection of the skin. In this case, also, 1 have found it extremely use- ful. — Even in confirmed syphilis, it has seemed to do good. In South-Carolina, this species of Kalmia is cal- led Calico-tree. The properties of Kalmia angustifolia, or narrow leaved Kalmia, seem upon the whole, to be nearly simi- lar to those of Kalmia latifolia. The former is, I think, :he more powerful plant of the two. I have been assured, that an infusion of the twigs and leaves of this Kalmia is employed, with much advantage, in some parts of Pennsylvania, Sec, as a remedy for dysentery. I regret * See Dr. Cooper's Inaug'ural Dissertation, £cc. p. 52 — 54. ( 51 ) that 1 am unable to say any thing more particular on the subject. Page 19. "A DECOCTION of the Andromeda Mari- "ana has been found useful as a wash in a disagreeable " ulceration of the feet, which is not uncommon among " the slaves, &c. in the Southern states." This com- plaint is very common, particularly among the negroes, and the poorer sort of white people, in Carolina, Geor- gia, &c. It is called " toe-itch," and " ground-itch." It is a kind of ulcerous excoriation between the toes, sometimes extending as high as the instep, and is at- tended with most intolerable itching. It is, probably, in a great measure, the consequence of inattention to cleanliness. Is it occasioned by particular insects? Some persons, with whom I have conversed on the subject, are of opinion, that it is owing to the great warmth of the waters to the southward, in which the inhabitants, are accustomed to wade a great deal. The disease is sometimes seen in Pennsylvania. Besides the Andro- meda Mariana, or Broad leaved Moor- wort, a decoction of the leaves of the Kalmia latifolia is used for the cure of this complaint. The decoction of the leaves of both these plants is used. They are both called " Wicke" to the southward. Page 20. " I KNEW a woman," &c. She was a stout, and seemingly very healthy, woman. She informed me, that a lady of her acquaintance was affected in the same way by this tea. I could not learn, whether the flowers of the Sassafras produced a similar effect. Ginseng. Notwithstanding what I have said, in the note, I must not conceal, that the Indians, in some parts V^^^^ ( 5'^ ) of North- America, are said to use the Ginseng, " on religious occasions*.'* Page 21. Arum triphyllum. In its recent state, the root of this species of Arum is extremely acrid. By dry- ing, we deprive it of much of its active quality. In this latter state, the root is frequently prescribed in catarrhal affections, of long standing; and (if I do not mistake) in asthma. The recent root boiled in lard, to the consist- ence of an ointment, has often been found useful in cases of tinea capitis, and in other similar affections. Page 23. The Ranunculus bulbosus. Every part of this species of Ranunculus is endued with an acrici quality. But it is especially the bulbous-like root which has frequently been used as a substitute for cantharides. Where the foreign and native species of blistering-flies cannot readily be procured, this Ranunculus ought not to be neglected. I have employed it, and am disposed to think, that it gives a more durable irritation to the part to which it is applied, than the animal blisters which I have mentioned. If this suspicion be well found- ed, it will not be denied, that there are cases in which the Ranunculus ought even to be preferred to those blisters. Among other such cases, I may mention ver- tigo, and affections of the stomach, both originating in a misplaced or irregular gout. I must not omit to add, that the roots of the Ranunculus, that are collected in the fall, may be very well preserved through the winter, by burying them in some fine, siliceous sand. When thus preserved, they retain, with very little diminution, their active irritating quality. Rhus, or Sumac. " In many persons" the Rhus * On the authority of Adair. ( 53 ) radicans, Rhus Vernix, and Rhus Toxicodendron, " in- *' duce a peculiar and very troublesome vesication, " which I have frequently removed, in a short time, by " means of a mercurial wash." I have employed, in these cases, an aqueous solution of the muriate of mer- cury, or corrosive-sublimate. Nothing that I have made use of has so effectually removed the disagreeable symptoms as this lotion. Its good effects are very spee- dily perceived. Many other applications are made use of, in various parts of the United- States. The principal of them are prepared from vegetables. That some of these do good, I shall not deny: but, compared to the preparation of mercury, which I have mentioned, they are very inert applications. Of the vegetables, I think I have employed none with such decided advantage as the juice (mixed with cream) of a native species of Urti- ca, or Nettle; perhaps the Urtica pumila of Linnaus. — " It is said that the bark of one species (but I cannot tell " you what species) has been found useful in intermit- " tents." Perhaps, it is the bark of the Rhus glabrum, or Smooth Pennsylvania Sumac. The juice of the Upland- Sumac (Rhus glabrum) is said to be excellent for re- moving warts, and also tetters. It is applied to the af- fected parts. This shows, that even this species, which is generally deemed innocent, possesses some active qua- lity. Indeed, I am inclined to think, that all the Ameri- can species of the genus Rhus are poisons to some consti- tutions. I am assured, that the Rhus typhinum, or Stags- horn- Sumac, has affected the skins of certain persons, iu the same manner as the Rhus radicans, &c. Yet the Rhus typhinum is generally considered as an innocent species. In some parts of the United- States, the Rhus glabrum is called " Indian Salt." It is said that the Indians em ployed the saline powder which invests the berries, as a ( 54 ) condiment to their animal food. They also employ this substance as a mordant, or fixer, for the red colour with which they dye the quills of the porcupine. They use other mordants for the same purpose. — With great satisfaction, I refer the medical and philosophical read- er of these Collections^ to Dr. Thomas Horsfield's Ex- perimental Dissertation on the Rhus Vernix^ Rhus radi- cans and Rhus glahrum. This dissertation, which was published in Philadelphia, in 1798, reflects great honour upon the ingenious author, and even credit upon the University which gave it birth. Page 26. The Zanthoxylum. There are, in the United- States, at least two distinct species of this genus, viz. the Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis of Linnaeus, and the Zanthoxylum fraxinifolium of Marshall. The lat- ter is the species which is most common in the north- ern parts of the United -States, where it is known by the name of Prickly- Ash. The other species is more confined to the Southern states. This last, I doubt not, is the plant which Lawson alludes to, when he tells us, that the Indians cure the venereal disease '* by a " Berry that salivates, as wzcrcz/ry does." He adds, that " thc)^ use sweating and decoctions very much with it; *' as they do almost on every occasion*." I suppose that this is also the pkuit which Lawson calls Pel- letory. " It is used (he says) to cure the tooth-ach, " by putting a piece of the bark in the mouth, which " being very hot, draws a rheum from the mouth, and " causes much spittlef." Both species of Zanthox- ylum appear to be wtII worthy of the attention of Ame- * A New Voyage to Carolina, &c. p. 218. London. 1709. t The same, p. 100. ( 55 ) rican physicians. Unquestionably, they are powerful vegetables. Page 28. Eupatorium perfoliatum. A watery in- fusion of the leaves of this very common plant is a pow- erful, and not disagreeable, bitter. Examined by the common chemical tests, it appears to contain a great deal of the astringent principle. I think this promises to be a really useful medicine in the treatment of inter- mittent fevers. Some of our Northern Indians, who make use of it in these cases, call it by a name, which may be translated " Ague- weed." Page 28. Sanguinaria Canadensis. Dr. Schoepi makes mention both of the emetic and purgative power of the root of this pretty plant, which is extremely com- mon in almost every part of the United- States. He says, a weak decoction of it is used in gonorrhoea, and against the bites of serpents, and in bilious diseases; that the juice is employed against warts; and (on the authority of Golden), that the powder of the root (in the dose of one drachm) is exhibited in jaundice*. I have been in- formed, that in some parts of New- England, a spiri- tuous tincture of the roots is frequently exhibited, as a tonic bitter, in different diseases. A decoction of the roots is greatly recommended, as an external application, in the management of old ulcers. In this latter case, it is, perhaps, more worthy of a trial than in cases of jaundice. Page 29. Asclepias decumbens. The Asclepias decumbens and the Asclepias tuberosa of Linnaeus ap- pear to me to be merely varieties of the same species. * Materia Medica, 8cc. p. 86 ( 56 ) Dr. Schoepf mentions a plant which, he says, is called in Mar}dand, Butterfly-root, and Pleurisy-root. He says, he has not seen the plant; but observes, that the name Butterfly-root seems to show, that it belongs to the class of Diadelphia*. I am pretty certain, that this plant is no other than the Asclepias decumbens. It is called Butterfly- weed, &;c. because its flowers are visited by great numbers of butterflies. Page 30. Convolvulus panduratus. In Virginia, and some other parts of the United- States, the root of this plant has been much recommended in cases of gravel. It is used either in powder or in decoction. Is it con- stantly or considerably diuretic? Page 32. "A species of Croton, or perhaps of " Stillingia," &c. This is one of the several medicines (and some of them are possessed of active qualities) which are employed by the Indians of Carolina, Geor- gia, and other southern parts of the United- States, as remedies for the cure of the venereal disease. It enter- ed into the composition of a medicine, which was much employed by a Dr. Howard (of North-Carolina), as a cure for the yaws. This medicine contained, besides the supposed Croton, the vines, or climbing stems, of the Bignonia crucigera. — It is not the Northern In- dians only who make use of the Lobelia siphilitica in the treatment of the venereal disease. This is also one of the articles in the materia medica siphilitica of the Cheerake, and other southern tribes. Page 34. Polygala Senega. Since the beginning of the year 1798, I have employed a strong decoction * Materia Medica, &c. p. 160. ( 57 ) of this plant in several cases of cynanche trachealis, or hives. I am persuaded, that the Seneca is a very impor- tant medicine in the treatment of this common, and too frequently unmanageable, disease; and praise, in my opi- nion, is due to Dr Archer for his important discovery; for such I cannot but deem it. That the Seneca is a specific, or certain remedy, for the cure of the croup, I do not believe: but, from my own experience, I am led to repose more confidence in the use of this medi- cine than in any other. I have made use of a very strong or saturated decoction of the root. I have always given it in large quantities. It appears to be chiefly beneficial, when it occasions an expectoration of mucus, and when it proves emetic. It is also very useful by virtue of its purgative quality. But I have known it to occasion very- plentiful stools, without benefiting the patient. Indeed, in the exhibition of the Seneca, I would rather wish to s guard against large purging. I have sometimes treated my patients almost entirely with the Seneca, Even in such cases, I have perceived most unequivocal good effects from it. But I have, more generally, given, along with the Seneca, calomel, and sometimes calomel com- bined with ipecacuanha. I have not omitted the employ- ment of the lancet (though this, in many cases of croup, is not absolutely necessary), and the use of blisters, or sinapisms, applied near to the seat of the disease. I am happy to close this short notice by observing, that seve- ral respectable physicians in Philadelphia inform me, that they have used the Seneca, with much advantage, in the disease in question. — For the particular man- ner in which Dr. Archer uses this medicine, I must re- fer the reader to his letter addressed to me, and publish- ed in the Medical Repository of New-York^. * Vol. II. No. 1. Art. vii. I ( 58 ) I HAVE had no experience with the Seneca in cases of pneumonia. Notwithstanding what has been so fre- (|uently said concerning its great efficacy in this disease, I confess that I cannot beheve, that it is a medicine adap- ted to the very first stage of pneumonia, while violent t.inflammi'itory symptoms are still present. After the li- beral use of the lancet, it is highly probable, that the Seneca \\'ill be found a very important medicine. In the pleurisy, as it is called, which prevails in many of the low and marshy countries of the United- States, I do not doubt, that it has been of real use. This pleurisy, or pneumonia, is a true intermittent or remittent, attended with a local pain, either in the side or in the head. When the pain is principally confined to the head, the disease is called (a ridiculous name) " the pleurisy in the head." In either case, it is a complaint in which stimulating medicines (and such the Seneca is) have been exhibited with ad^'antage. In cases of this kind, though bleeding is often necessary, it will not be sufficient to effect a cure. Even blisters fail to destroy the type of the dis- ease. In my ov.ii hands, the Peruvian bark has been exhibited, during the remission of pain, with the hap- piest effect in preventing the recurrence of the violent paroxysm. Page 37. Lobelia infiata. This is a very com- mon plant in many parts of the United- States. Its sensi- ble qualities are much in favour of its medical powers. The leaves have a very acrid and pungent taste. An infusion of them, in boiling water, when suffered to stand for some time, is at first insipid to the taste; but it soon excites a very perceptible, and even considera- ble, sense of pungency upon the tongue, Sec. which con- iinues a good vrhiic. The tasijS is very similar to that of ( 59 ) tobacco. This species of Lobelia, in all probability, wiil be found a diuretic. The Casscna. This is also called Cusscena, and Yaupon, or Yopon. A very favourite inquir}^ in w hich I have been engas^ed for several years, and in which I am still engaged, naturally leads me to mention, in this place, a very remarkable tradition which some of our Indian tribes preserve concerning this species of Holly. *' The Savages of Carolina (says Mr. Lawson, who is an author of much credit) " have this tea in veneration, "■' above all the plants they are acquainted withal, and '* tell 3^ou, the disco^■ery thereof was by an infirm Indi- " «;?, that laboured under the burden of many rugged " distempers, and could not be cured by all their Doc- " tors; so, one day, he fell asleep, and dreamt, that if " he took a decoction of the tree that grew at his *' head, he would certainly be cured; upon which he " awoke, and saw the Yaupon or Cassena-liYQC, which " was not there when he fell asleep. He followed the " direction of his dream, and l^ecame perfectly well in " a short time. Now, I suppose (continues our author), " no man has so little sense as to believe this Fable; yet " it lets us see what they intend thereby, and that it has, " doubtless, worked feats enough, to gain it such an " esteem amongst these Savages, who are too well vers- " ed in vegetables, to be brought to a continual use of " any one of them, upon a mere conceit or fimcy, with- " out some apparent benefit they found thereby; espe- *' cially, when we are sensible, they drink the juices of " plants, to free nature of her burdens, and not out of " foppery and fashion, as other nations are oftentimes " found to do*." — I do not, indeed, imagine, that * A Nc-vv Voyage to Crtroiina, Ix. p. 221, 222. C 60 ) the Indians came to the first knowledge of the Cassena in the manner their tradition informs us. But, if I do not greatly mistake, a very interesting use may be made of this tradition: one which Mr. Lawson, in all probability little thought of. The Chinese preserve a tradition concerning Darma, the son of a King of the Indias, who was driven into China in the year 519, of the Christian era. Darma gave himself up entirely to re- ligion, passing his days and nights, without sleep. At length, he fell asleep. To atone for this crime, the good man abscinded his genitals, the eye-lids of his eyes, and then enraged threw himself upon the earth, from which little shrubs now sprang up. These were the Tea, which has since spread its influence over more than half the globe. Darma now began to use the leaves of the new shrub, upon which his mind was affected with great joy, and he was restored to perfect health. He even ceased to be emasculate. These wonderful properties of the tea were made known by Darma to his disciples, upon which the leaves of the plant were received into uni- versal use. Kaempfer, from whose Amcenitates this story is taken, has given us a picture of Darma; but I pre- sume the likeness could not be warranted*. Between the tradition of the Chinese concerning the first use of their beloved tea, and the tradition of the Americans concerning the first use of the Cassena, there is such a remarkable coincidence, that we cannot well hesitate to believe, that the two stories are actu- ally branches of a common stock. This will appear the more probable, when it is considered, that many of the * I have not, at present, an opportiniity of consulting Kxmpfer's work. I take tilt story fi ni this celebrated naturalist, through the medium of Dr. Murray's Apparatus Medicanunum, &c. Vol. IV. p. 246, 247". ( 61 ) American tribes are very closely allied to theiGhincSCj Tartars, and Japanese, not only by their physical ap- pearances, but also by their languages, their customs, &c*. Perhaps, the Indian tradition concerning the Cas- sena may even lead us to conjecture, at what time some of the Carolina and other savage tribes separated from their parental stocks, in Asia. It is possible that the word Yaupoii is preserved by the Americans, in memo- ry of the islands of Japan, from which some of them are descended. Pages 38, 39. Spigelia Marilandica. In some parts of Carolina, &c. this invaluable plant is known (among other appellations) by the name of Snake-root. It is the Unsteetla of the Cheerake-Indians. Every part of the plant is possessed of the anthelmintic property, and ac- cordingly in Carolina the physicians employ the whole plant; chiefly in decoctionf . But the active power un- questionably resides more especially in the roots. It is the opinion of many persons, that the deleterious effects which occasionally occur from using this vegetable do not arise from any pernicious property inherent in the Spigelia, but from the root of a distinct plant which is often mixed with the Spigelia. I do not think this notion is entitled to any serious attention. The Spigelia is, without doubt, a poisonous and narcotic vegetable. It is, in all probability, by virtue of this poisonous qua- lity, that it proves so beneficial in cases of worms. I am acquainted with a very intelligent physician, who * New Views of the Origin of the Tribes and Nations of America. Appen- dix, p. 30, 31, 32. Philiidelphia: 1798. I Both Linint^ and Garden were generally in the habit of using the Spige- lia in substance; and this is, unquestionably, the iriost ])recise method of em- ploying it. Ill Philadelphia, an infusion or decoction of the plant is more commonly made use of. ( 62 ) in the exhibition of the Spigelia always deems it neces- sary, or proper, to persevere in the use of the medicine, until it produces some very decided effect upon the brain. I must confess, however, that I have often found it completely eflicacious without observing, that it has occasioned the least inconvenience to the system. That it has sometimes done mischief, will not, I believe, be denied. Professor Bergius informs us, that he has known instances of convulsions cured by the Spigelia, although no worms were expelled by it*. Dr. Garden, speaking of this plant, says, " It especially answers in continued " or remitting low worm-fevers, in which I use its de- " coction, adding a small proportion of the root of the " serpentaria Virgin. Its effects in abating the feverish *' exacerbations are so considerable, that in these I con- " sider it as the most powerful sedativef . It is an ex- " cellent attenuantj." I have been induced to take no- tice, in this place, of the observations of Bergius and Garden, because a pretty extensive use of the Spigelia, has now convinced me, that this medicine very often affords relief, and indeed effects a cure, in cases in which worms are supposed to be present, but in which none * Materia Medica e Regno Vcgctabili, Sic. f That the Spigelia is a sedative, taking tliis term in the sense in whicli it generally is, and always ought to be, employed, I do not believe, notwith- standing the very respectable authority of Dr. Garden, and the high au- thority of Dr. Darwin. This last mentioned author arangcs our celebra- ted anthelmintic in his class or article of Torpentia- (See Zoonomia). With inuch more propriety, he might have arranged it in his second article, to which he has given the name of Incitantia. In fact, the effects whicli the Spigelia e:xerts upon the human system are very similar to those which Da- ? lU-a and other similar articles (confessedly stimulants) are known to exert. 7n particular, the operation of the Spigelia upon the brain, very decidedly, t]'-monstrates its stimulant power. * Ess.'iys and Observations, Pljysi'.al and Literary. Vol. III. Art. x. p. 149. ( 63 ) are discharged. If I do not greatly mistake, this will be found a highly useful medicine in some of the febrile diseases of children, unaccompanied by worms, espe- cially in the insidious remittent, which so frequently lays the foundation of dropsy of the brain. Page 39. The Chenopodium anthelminticum. This vegetable is also called Jerusalem-oak. The whole plant may be employed. Sometimes, the expressed juice is used, in the dose of a table-spoon full for a child, two or three years old. More commonly, however, the seeds, are employed. They are reduced to a fine powder, and made into an electuary with some syrup. Of this the dose for a child, two or three years old, is a table-spoon full, taken early in the morning. The patient is to be kept without nourishment for some hours after. After supper, a like dose is administered. It is often necessary to continue this course for several days. Great numbers of lumbrici are frequently discharged after the use of a few doses of the medicine. Page 40. Common Tobacco. There is a peculiar mode of employing the leaves of the Tobacco in cases of worms, which I cannot avoid mentioning in this place, especially as it has, in many instances, produced very happy effects. The leaves are pounded with vinegar, and applied, in the shape of a poultice, to the region of the stomach, or other part of the abdomen. In conse- quence of this application, worms are often discharged, after powerful anthelmintics have been exhibited inter- nally in vain. We ought not to be surprised at this effect of the Tobacco, since we know, that tlie same vegetable applied externally is often very efficacious in inducing vomiting. Accordingly, I have, for some years been in ( 64 ) * the habit of applying Tobacco-leaves to the region of the stomach of persons who have swallowed large quantities of opium, and other similar articles, with the view to destroy themselves. It is well known, that in these cases the stomach is often extremely inirritable, insomuch that the most powerful emetics have little effect in rousing that organ into action. Here, as an auxiliary at least, the Tobacco, used in the manner I have mentioned, is, certainly, very useful, and in many instances, ought not to be neglected. Page 41. Melia Azedarach. When I published the first edition of my Collections^ I had not any experience in the use of this vegetable. Since that period, however, I have used it in several cases of worms, and always with advantage. Indeed, I am inclined to think, that the cha- racter of this new anthelmintic has not been too highly drawn. I will not assert, that it ought to be preferred to the Spigelia: for I have had much more to do with this, than with the Melia. The Melia is, unquestionably, a valuable anthelmintic, and ought to be introduced into general practice. I have employed the bark of the root, both in substance, and in the shape of a saturated decoction. In the case of an adult, who took the decoc- tion in large quantities, with the effect of discharging great numbers of worms, it seemed to occasion some confusion of head, and trembling of the hands. These, perhaps, were accidental symptoms: but I am disposed, with the patient, to ascribe them to the medicine. The worm-cases in which I have found the Melia useful were cases of the common round-worm, or Ascaris lumbricoides. I have not had any opportunity of trying how far it is a remedy against the taenia, or tape-worm. But I am informed that, in Carolina, it has been used ( 65 ) with the effect of discharging great numbers of this spe- cies of worm. Should this prove to be the case, the Melia will be doubly entitled to our attention as an article of the materia medica. — It is not merely in cases of worms, that this vegetable has been found useful. Mr. Andrew Michaux, an industrious French botanist, informed me, that in Persia, where this tree grows spon- taneously, the pulp which invests the stone of the fruit is pounded with tallow, and used as an " antisphoric," in cases of tinea capitis in children. Is the Melia a narcotic or poisonous vegetable? Its remarkable effects in destroying and dislodging worms renders this probable, but not certain: for many articles which, with respect to the human body, are entirely in- nocent, are known to be noxious to intestinal worms, and many other animals. Such is sugar, as has been demonstrated by the experiments of Redi, Carminati, and other writers. The case which I have alluded to renders the deleterious quality of this vegetable very probable. I may add, that in some parts of Carolina, the root is deemed poisonous. Horses and horned cattle, however, eat, with impunity, the leaves and berries. Certain species of birds (particularly the Tur- dus migratorius, or Robin, and the Turdus Polyglot- tos, or Mocking-bird), devour the berries in such large quantities, that after eating of them, they are observed to fall down, and are readily taken. Does not this cir- cumstance render it probable, that the berries contain an intoxicating quality? This, however, I believe, is not the general opinion of the inhabitants of Carolina, who ascribe the condition of the birds merely to the circum- stance of their having eaten so abundantly of the ber- ries, that they injure entirely by distention. The ripe berries have a sweetish, but nauseous taste. K C 66 ) As the Melia is now completely naturalized to the states of Carolina and Georgia, it may not be amiss to close this article by observing, that the fruit of this ve- getable is employed in Japan for furnishing an express- ed oil, which grows hard like tallow, and is used for making candles*. May not our fellow- citizens, to the south, render it worth their attention to follow the ex- ample of the Japanese, in the instance I have mentioned? It remains for me to say a fe^v words concerning two other native American plants, both reputed anthel- mintics, which are not mentioned in the preceding Dis- course. These are the Galega Virginiana, and the Cle- ome dodecandra? The Galega Virginiana, or Virginia-Qoats-rue, is one of the most beautiful of the known North- American plants of the class of Diadelphia. It is very common in many parts of Pennsylvania, New-Jersey, Sec. In Jer- sey, it is called Cat-gut, from the resemblance of some of its roots to the article of this name. A decoction of the roots is reputed a powerful anthelmintic. I have never used it. It may be observed, in this place, that, notwith- standing the general character of the class of Diadel- phia, there are in this class some very active and even deleterious vegetables. It is somewhat in favour of the anthelmintic power of the Galega Virginiana, that some West-India species of the same genus are said to intoxi- cate and poison fish. The Cleome dodecandra? or perhaps Cleome vis- cosa, is a native of Pennsylvania, New- York, Sec. It * See Professor Thuubcrg's Travels in Europe, Afj-iCoi, and Asia, Sec. SiC. Vo). III. p. 228. Eiigiish transkitJon. London: 1795. ( 67 ) grows, in great abundance, in the neighbourhood of Albany. The whole plant has an extremely fetid smell. In some parts of the United- States, the root is employ- as a remedy against worms. How far it is really useful with this intention, or by what power it acts, in destroy- ing the worms, I do not know. I do not mention the an- thelmintic virtue of the Cleome, merely on the authority of Dr. Schoepf*. * See his Materia Medica, 8;c. p. 106, THE END. m MATERIA MEDICA. PART SECOND. • hanc etiam, M^ecenas, aspice partem. TO JOHN COAKLEY LETTSOM. M. D. FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON, &C. &C. DEAR SIR, Y OU have been pleased to express yourself favour- ably respecting the First Part of this little work. But it was not this circumstance that has led me to inscribe this Second Part to you. My inducements to do this, are of a higher and a different kind. Your attentions to me, during my rc-idence in Lon- don, in the year 1787, were those of a kind and affec- tionate friend, and cannot readily be forgotten. Nor have you withdrawn your attentions, notwithstanding the distance by which we are separated from each other. Some public tribute of respect is due from Ameri- cans to one who has so long, and on so many occasions, manife'ited his attachment to the United-States. The tribute which I now pay, is, indeed, a very feeble one: but it is paid in the warmth of feeling friendship, A LARGE portion of respect is due from the world to those, who devote their fortune and their time to the promotion of science, and the extension of the godlike empire of benevolence. Your enemies will not deny .^ ( iv ) your merits in these respects. Your friends are incapable of disguising or withholding their sentiments, on the subject. Attached, as you are, to every branch of medical science; sensible, as you must be, of the imperfections of medicine, and ardently anxious for its further im- provement, I will flatter myself, that you will peruse, with some satisfaction, these imperfect Collections, a mass of mere misshapen materials, out of which, at some future period, a part of a more regular American Materia Medica may be constructed. Whether I shall live to take any part in the building, is extremely doubtful. The edifice is one, however, to which I look forward with an ardent zeal. A belief that I va^y possibly behold it, will serve to stimulate me to new and other labours, in this walk of medical science. With the most sincere wishes for your health and happiness, and for the continuance of your useful la- bours and exertions, I remain. My dear Sir, Your obedient and Obliged friend, BENJAMIN SMITH BARTON. Philadelphia, February lOih, 1804. PREFACE. 1 EXPERIENCE some degree of pleasure in being able to fulfil one of my literary promises. I present to the public, a Second Part of my Collections for an Essay towards a Materia Medica of the United- States, I am not very anxious about the fate of the work, and therefore, I shall not offer any formal apology for its imperfections. These will be readily perceived by the reader of any experience. Imperfect, however, as is this Second Part, I hope the student of medicine and the young practitioner, for whom principally it is intended, will find it not less in- teresting than the preceding part. It contains additions to many of the articles which are mentioned in the for- mer portion of the work, besides facts and observations concerning other articles, which are either entirely un- noticed, or merely named, there. Some of the newly- named articles have never before been noticed in any work relative to the Materia Pvledica: such are Myrica cerifera, Prinos verticillatus, Hydrastis Canadensis, Fra- sera Walteri, &cc. How far these are worthy of the at- tention of ph}sicians, must be left to others to deter- mine. ( vi ) I'o render the work somewhat more useful, I have interspersed it with occasional practical remarks. Some of these remarks, I am very ready to allow, are not ne- cessarily introduced into the work. Such are those re- specting Arsenic, and Digitalis. But it will be recol- lected, that I am not in pursuit of any thing like a me- thodical or regularly-digested work: and if any value be attached to the remarks, I shall cheerfully submit to be censured for my want of order and arrangement, in the management of my subject. The principal, and indeed onlv, object which I had in view in composing the First Part of this little work, has been, in some measure, accomplished. 1 wishe» to TURN THE ATTENTION OF OUR PHYSICIANS TO AN INVESTIGATION OF THE PROPERTIES OF THEIR NATIVE PRODUCTIONS. Already have I had the satis- i'action to perceive the useful tendency of my labours. Several of the vegetables which I had mentioned, in the Collections, have been examined with care and ability, bv graduates in the University of Pennsylvania, who have thus put us in possession of a large body of useful information concerning those vegetables. It is unneces- sary to mention, in this place, the titles of the disser- tations to which I allude. Most of them are referred to in the present publication. Some of these dissertations reflect honour upon their authors; and must evince to the world, that an important branch of natural history mid of medicine is making rapid advances among us. It is not one of the least pleasurable circumstances of my life, thut I have been, in some degree, instrumental in directing the medical students of the United- States, to a few of those objects, which have since solicited their attention. ( vii ) In the present portion of the Collections^ I have called the attention of the student to other objects of the Ame- rican vegetable kingdom, concerning which I am anxi- ous to receive more extensive and more correct infor- mation. My various pursuits do not permit me to enter minutely into an investigation of the properties of the articles which I mention. Indeed, I wish it to be under- stood, that some of these articles have never been em- ployed by myself in practice; and, consequently, that my information concerning them has been derived from the experience of other persons. It is obvious, there- fore, that I cannot always vouch for the truth or accuracy of the observations, vvhich I detail, concerning the pro- perties and effects of our vegetables. But neither could I have vouched for their truth and accuracy, even though I had related them from my own experience. For where is the candid physician w ho will not confess, that he often errs? Where is the physician who will not acknowledge, that in the course of his practice, he has often ascribed effects to medicines, which those medi- cines did not produce? Extraordinary (provided THEY BE SOLITARY OR RARELY OBSERVED) EFEECTS OF MEDICINES, IN THE CURE OF DISEASES, SHOULD BE RECEIVED BY THE PHYSICIAN, WITH NEARLY THE SAME HESITATION WITH WHICH THE PHILOSO- PHIC NATURALIST OR HISTORIAN, RECEIVES MIRA- CLES INTO HIS COLLECTION OF WELL-ASCERTAIN- ED FACTS. ( ix ) THE following observations form a part of one of my Introductory Lectures, I have thought that they might, with some propriety, be introduced in this place. *^ It is a trite observation, that every country pos- sesses remedies that are suited to the cure of its pecu- liar diseases. The greater number of those who have adopted this opinion, have imagined, that the principal portion of indigenous remedies is to be found among the vegetables of the countries in which the diseases pre- vail. '' This observation, in a limited degree; is undoubt- edly well founded. But the universality of the position may, I think, be called in question. Man is subject to many diseases, both of body and of intellect, for the cure of which it would seem to be a part of the scheme of Pro- vidence, that he never shall discover remedies. More- over, man is capable of subsisting, and actually does subsist, in certain portions of the earth, in which hardly a vegetable is seen, or can be made, to grow. Yet, in these situations man is not exempted from diseases: for diseases appear to be as necessarily a part of his essence or nature as the organs and the functions of his body. "But although we are not authorized, from an ex- tensive examination of the subject, to conclude, that every country possesses native remedies, that are the best adapted for the cure of its peculiar diseases, still it must be admitted, that the observation is, in part, well founded. It was remarked by a writer*, who was more distinguished for the vivacity of his wit than for the so- * Monsieur De Voltaire Part II B ( X ) lidity of his judgment, that the intermittent fever pre- vailed ;•; Kurope, but that the Peruvian bark was found in Sou<:h- America. This observation was intended as an exception to the general rule which I have mention- ed. Perhaps, it was intended to arraign the benevolent order oi Providence. But the observation can have no weight wiih physicians who know, that the intermittent fever is the disease of almost every climate, and that the Penivian bark is not the only remedy that is capable of subduing this disease. " Without any regard, however, to the rule that, in ge:er;'.i, the remedies for diseases exist in the native count! ies of such diseases, it may safely be conjectured, judging irom the discoveries which have already been m.de, in the term of three hundred years, that there are no countries of the world from which there is reason to expect greiiier or more valuable accessions to the Materia Medica, than the countries of America. The different species of Cinchona, or Peruvian bark, the Quassia, the Simarouba, the Guniacum, the different kinds of Jalap and of Ipecacuanha, the Poiygala Senega, the two spe- cies of Spigelia, not to mention many other valuable medicines, are ail natives of America; and most of them have not, hiiherto, been found in any other portion of the world. "It has often been said, that the Materia Medica is already crowded with a great number of inert, useless, or pernicious medicines. This I thmk is strictly true; and it is certainly, high time to banish from the shops many of the medicines, or articles, which they contain. This fullness of the Materia Medica ought not, however, to make us relax in our inquiries into the properties of the ( xi ) vegetables of our own and of other countries. No can- did physician will deny, that he often meets with cases in which the choice of active medicines is a mutter of consequence. So various are the constitutions or our pa- tients; so infinitely various are the forms under which diseases present themselves, that it becomes absoiuiely necessary to know, and to possess, a great number of different medicines, even of those which are endowed "with a common assemblage of properties. " I AM not ignorant, that there are some persons, who consider the science of medicine as a science of extreme simplicity; who believe, or affect to believe, that in the treatment of diseases, we have arrived at something like the ultimatum of perfection. We are already, say these persons, in possession of all the means that are neceiS-iiy for the alleviation, or for the cure, of our diseases. It is needless, then, to ransack nature any further. " In opposition to such an opinion as this, it will be sufficient to hint at the recent date of the introducu::'; of some of the most important articles of medicine into the Materia Medica; or at the recent date of our acquaint- ance with the new properties and powers of those which have long been known. The properties of Mercury could hardly be said to be known until the general spread of the venereal disease through Europe, towards the end of the 15th and the beginning of the 16th centu- turies. Nay not more than half the invaluable powers of this herculean medicine v/ere discovered before the mid- dle of the last century; and I cannot hesitate to believe, that many of its properties are still unknown. The Pe- ruvian bark, the Ipecacuanha, the Jaiap, the Tobacco, the Guaiacum, and many others, weie not even named ( xii ) to the physicians of the old-world, until several years after the discovery of America, in 1492. Some of the most valuable properties of Opium, such as its use in the treatment of low nervous fevers, were not detected before the middle of the eighteenth century; and of the Digitalis, one of the most common plants of some of the most cultivated countries of Europe, little except the fact of its being an extremely deleterious plant, was ascertained previously to the excellent publication of Dr. Withering. These facts, certainly, show us, that we have no reason for believing, that the list of impor- tant articles of the Materia Medica is completed; or that we are fully acquainted with all the properties of those which have been known for hundreds of years. On the contrary, they render it highly probable, that hitherto, we have discovered but a very small part of those vegetable and other remedies, which Providence, in the fullness of his benevolence, has scattered over the earth. "In conducting our inquiries into the properties of the medicinal vegetables of our country, much useful information may, I am persuaded, be obtained through the medium of our intercourse with the Indians. Let not this observation induce any of you to suppose, that I am of opinion, with many travellers, and with some writers on the Materia Medica, that the savages of North- America are in possession of absolute specifics for all, or for any, of their diseases. I am too much of a skeptic in matters that regard the science of medicine to admit of the existence of any medicines that are strictly entitled to the name of specifics; and my inquiries con- cerning the diseases and remedies of our Indians have convinced me, that among these people the art of medi- cine is truly in a shapeless and an embrj^o state. ( xiii ) *' It is, nevertheless, certain that some of the rudest tribes of our continent are acquainted with the general medical properties of many of their vegetables. Like the rest of mankind, they are subject to diseases; and like all nations in the savage forms of society, many of their diseases are violent. Nor, notwithstanding what has been repeatedly asserted to the contrary, are the dis- eases of those North- American tribes with whom we are the best acquainted either simple or few. The dis. eases of our Indians, even of those tribes who have been the least influenced, or corrupted, by their intercourse with more civilized nations, are numerous, and often present themselves in the mixed or complicated forms which have been supposed to be, in a great measure, confined to nations in the more improved and luxurious stages of society. It is, I believe, a truth, that the med- icines of savage and other uncultivated nations are, in general, medicines of an active kind. Thus, if we ex- cept that farrago of articles which are employed by our Indians as supposed remedies against the bites of vene- mous serpents*, we shall find that the Materia Medica of these people contains but few substances as inert as many of those which have a place in our books on this science, and on other parts of medicine. The astringents and tonics, which they employ in the treatment of in- termittent fevers, are the bai'ks of some species of Cor- nus, or Dogwood, such as Conius florida and Cornus sericea, both of which are found to possess properties very nearly allied to those of the Cinchona, or Peruvian bark: their purgatives are different species of Iris, or Flag, the root of the Podophyllum peltatum, or May- apple; the bark of the Juglans cinerea, or Butter-nut, * See Transactions of the Ainerican PhUosophical Society. Vol. iii. No. xi. ( xiv ) 4nd some others: their emetics are the Spiraea trifoliata, or Indian Physic; the Euphorbia Ipecacuanha, Sulphat of Iron, or Copperas, and many others: their sudorifics are the active Polygala Senega, or Seneca snake-root, the Aristolochia Serpentaria, or Virginia snake-root, the Eupatorium perfohatum, or Thorough-wort, the Lobe- lia siphilitica, &:c: their anthelmintics are the the Spige- Jia Marilandica, or Carohna Pink-root, the Lobelia Car- dinalis, or Cardinal- Flower, &c. " From this list, which it would be an easy task to render more extensive and more perfect, it must be ob- vious, that the Indians of North- America are in posses- sion of a number of active and important remedies. It will not be denied, however, that they do not always apply their remedies with judgment and discernment. But what treasures of medicine may not be expected from a people, who although destitute of the lights of science, have discovered the properties of some of the most inestimable medicines with which we are acquaint- ed? Without mentioning the productions of South- Ame- rica, let it be recollected, that it is to the rude tribes of the United- States that we are indebted for our know- ledge of Polygala Senega, Aristolochia Serpentaria, and Spigelia Marilandica. "It is observed b}^ De Pauw, that Botany is the only science that is known to savage nations*^. This observation is more just than many others that are to be found in the writings of this singular author. But it would have been still more just, if, instead of Botany, the term Materia Medica had been employed. Savages, * Recherches Philosoplnqiies sur les Americains, &c. Tome 1. ( XV ) in general, know nothing of the sexual differences of vegetables; their classification, &c. circumstances inti- mately appertaining to the science of Botany*. But a knowledge of the obvious habit or deportment of their plants, and of the general properties of these plants, is, indeed, a very prominent feature in the description of many savage nations: it is, perhaps, more especially a prominent feature in the description of the savage na- tions of North- America. "But it is only with their general properties that they are acquainted. For the discovery of these the un- cultivated reason of man, even the wild instinct of the animal, are often sufficient. It is the province of science; it is the duty of those who attach themselves, with a well-guided ardour, to the amiable pursuits of medical and natural science more especially, to investigate, with a laborious and accurate attention, the whole of the pro- perties of the various natural objects by which they are surrounded. The illiterate Indians of Loxa, in Peru, were not ignorant, that the Peruvian bai^k cured inter- mittent fevers: but it was reserved for men of science, aided by the ample experience of many years, to disco- ver the numerous other properties of this important, this indispensable, article of the Materia Medica." * If, however, we may depend upon tlie ol)servations of Dr. Forster, the inhabitants of Otaheite, and other islands in the Southern Pacific Ocean, are " acquainted with the sexual system, especially in the coco-palm." These people have also learned to designate by distinct and often appropriate names, the bracte and various other parts of the plant, in a manner so correct, tliat it must be acknowledged, that the dawn of Scientific Botany has commenced among them. See observations made during' a Voyage round the world, &<" p. 498, 499, 500. London: 1778. 4to COLLECTIONS, &c Section I. Astringents. Geranium maculatum*. This is, certainly ti vegetable entitled to the attention of American physi- cians. In Kentucky, where it is called " Crow- foot," it has been collected for the Tormentilf of the shops. In some of the north-western parts of the United- States, it is known by the name oi Racine a Becquet^ after a person of this name. The western Indians say it is the most effectual of all their remedies for the cure of the vene- real disease. I have not, however, been able to learn, in what form or stage of this disease they employ it. I doubt not it would be found very useful, exhibited in- ternally, in cases of old gonorrhoea. In such cases, the internal astringents are too much neglected. An aqueous infusion of the root forms an excellent' injection in gonorrhoea. In old gonorrhoea, and in gleets, a more saturated infusion may be employed, either alone, or combined with a portion of the sulphat of zinc, or white vitriol. * See Collections, &c. Part First, pages 8 8c 4.'J, f Tormentilla erecta of Linnxus. Part. II. C ( 2 ) Both the simple sulphat and the oxy-sulphat of iron strike a deep violet colour with the infusion of the root in water. Heuchera Americana*. This is the Heuchera Cortusa of Michauxf, who has unnecessarily changed many of the long-received names of American plants. This Heuchera is one of the articles in the Materia Medica of our Indians. They apply the powdered root to wounds, and ulcers, and cancers. Of the Pyrola umbellata I have made no mention in the first part of this work. It is a very common North- American plant, and is sometimes called Ground-Holly, but is much better known (at least in New-Jersey and in Pennsylvania) by the name of PippsissevaX^ which is one of its Indian appellations. In the sexual system of Linnaeus, it belongs to the same class and order (De- candria monogynia) as the Uva Ursi. It also belongs to the same natural assemblage of plants as the last men- tioned vegetable: viz. the order Bicornes of Linnaeus, and the order Ericce of Mr. de Jussieu. The two plants are, unquestionably, nearly allied to each other in re- spect to their botanical affinity, as well as in their me- dical properties. The Pyrola is considerably astringent, and the quan- tity of astringency appears to be nearly the same in the leaves and in the stems. Hitherto, it has not greatly excited the attention of physicians. But I think it is worthy of their notice. A respectable physician, in East- Jersey, informed me, that he had employed this plant. * See Part First. P.ig-e 9. f Flora Boreali-Aiiiericana, &,c. Tom. ». p. 171. ^ Perhaps, Fhipscsawa. ( 3 ) with manifest advantage, in the same cases in which Uva Ursi has been found so useful. This looks very probable: for it would seem, from many facts, that the lithontriptic powers of the Uva Ursi are, in no small de- gree, owing to the astringent quality of this plant: and, " perhaps, upon the whole (as an eminent practitioner* " has observed), we shall find it no better than other " vegetable astringents; some of which have long been " used by the country people, in gravelly complaints, *' and with very great advantage: though hitherto unno- " ticed by the regular practitionerst". The Pyrola, as I am informed by my pupil Dr. John S. Mitchell, has been used, with good effect, in some cases of intermittents. In one case, its diuretic ope- ration was evident. *' The urine dischared was almost " black. It appeared as if a few drops of a solution of *' the sulphat of iron had been put into an astringent " infusion^." This was a solitary occurrence, and one which I am unable to explain. For more ample information concerning this vegeta. ble, I beg leave to refer the reader to Dr. Mitchell's In- augural Essay on the Arbutus Uva Ursit and the Pyrola umbellata and maculata of Linnaeus*^. Prefixed to this * Dr. Withering-. See A Systematic Arrangement of British Plants, &.c. Vol. II. p. 391. London: 1801. \ I cannot forbear mentioning in this place (at the risk, perhaps, of.expos- ing myself to the ridicule of tlie mere theorist), that the nuclei, or kernels, of the common American Hazlenut (Cor3ius Americana) have been found very useful in affording relief to se%eral persons labouring under nephritic, and perhaps calculous affections. I mention this fact on tlie respectable au- tiioril}' of my fiiend. Dr. Frederick Kuhn, of Lancaster, in Pennsylvania Do tiiese kernels act solely by virtue of their astringent quality \ Letter to me, dated Sunbury, August 8th, 180:3 % Philudclnhia: 1803 ( 4 ) dissertation, there is a good figure of the Pyrola um- bt'Uata. The Myrica cerifera, or Candle-berry Myrtle, de- serves to be mentioned in this place. This is a common shrub in many of the maritime parts of the United- States, as in New-Jersey, Delaware, he. This is, unquestiona- bly, a very powerful astringent, and as such has been em- ployed by the country-practitioners of the United- States. A decoction of the bark of the root is employed, some- times alone, and sometimes in combination with the bark of the root of Persimmon, or with the bark of the Black- Alder, which I am afterwards to mention. The simple or combined decoction of the Myrica has been used, with much advantage, in dropsical affections succeeding to intermittents, particularly in the peninsula of Dela- ware, where dropsies, in various shapes, arc, perhaps, more common than in any other part of North- America, within the same latitudes. The root of the Myrica has likewise been found useful in the treatment of hemor- rhages from the uterus, &c. It was remarked by an old physician^, who had much experience in the use of this vegetable, that it often acted as a gentle purgative. Several varieties of the Myrica cerifera are de- scribed by the botanists. That of which I have been speaking is distinguished by the circumstance of its having broader leaves, and larger berries, than the others. It is the variety marked 3 and named media, in the JF/ora Bo)'eali-A77iericana of Michauxf. I cannot, hov/ever, assert, that as an astringent, this is to be preferred to the other varieties. * Dr. Matthew Wilson jTom. 11. p. 228. ( 5 ) The Myrica Gale, called Sweet-Willow, or Dutch- Myrtle, and also American Bog- Gale, is likewise a na- tive of the United-States. But this, to which useful qualities are ascribed, by Linnaeus and other writers, seems less worthy of our notice than the above-men- tioned species. The Prinos verticillatus* of Linnaeus is a very com- mon shrub in many parts of the United- States. It is especially common in the maritime parts of the union, at least as far south as North- Carolina; and is generally found to grow in the greatest perfection in swamps, or marshy places. It is the Prinos Gronovii of Michaux. To the inhabitants of New- Jersey and Pennsylvania, it is well known by the name of Black- Alder. If I do not mistake, however, the same appellation has been bestow- ed upon another American shrub, the Ilex? Canadensis of Michaux. Care must be taken to distinguish our Prinos from the Swamp- Alder, or Candle- Alder, which is the Betula serrulata of Alton. The bark of the Prinos verticillatus is manifestly as- tringent. It is, likewise, considerably bitter, and along with these properties there is united a degree of pun- gency. The berries, which are of a fine red colour, greatly partake of the bitter quality, and if infused in wine or brandy, might be employed, with advantage, in many of those cases in which bitters, in a vinous or spirituous menstruum, are exhibited by physicians. But it is especially the bark of the shrub that seems en- titled to our attention. This has long been a popular remedy in different parts of the United- States. But as yet, it has been * Marshall calls tliis Vir_L,^inian Winter-Berry. ( 6 ) greatly neglected by the regular physicians, only a few of whom (so far as I can learn) have been in the habit of employing it. This bark possesses the common proper- ties of the vegetable astringent and tonic medicines; and, accordingly, it has been used as a substitute for the Pe- ruvian bark, in intermittents, and in other diseases. It is employed both in substance and in decoction, most commonly, however, in the latter shape. It is supposed to be especially useful in cases of great debility unaccom- panied with fever; as a coroborant in anasarcous and other dropsies, and as a tonic in cases of incipient spha- celus, or gangrene. In this last case, it is, unquestion- ably, a medicine of great efficacy. It is both given inter- nally, and employed externally as a wash. On many oc- casions, it appears to be more useful than the Peruvian bark. It ought to have a place in the shops, and in the Pharmacopoeia of this country, when such a deside- ratum SHALL BE SUPPLIED. In making decoctions or infusions, for the different purposes which I have mentioned, the berries are often mixed with the bark. The Orobanche Virginiana, or Virginian Broom- rape, is a very common plant in many parts of North- America. Michaux says that it grows from Canada to Georgia. It is generally, if not always, found under the shade of the American Beach-tree (Fagusferruginea)^. Hence one of its names, in Pennsylvania, viz. " Beach- drops." But it is much more generally known by the name of Cancer-rootf. * Mlcliaux entirely restricts its liabitation to the root of the Beach; " 1r radice Fagi nee aliss plantse." Flora, &c. Tom. II. p. 26. I See Elements of Botany, See. Pai't third, p. 80 ( ' ) Every part of this plant is considerably astringent. This astringency is evinced not only by the taste of the plant, but also by subjecting it to chemical examination. The infusion or decoction assumes an ink-like colour, on adding to it a solution of the sulphat of iron, or cop- peras. But along with the astringency, especially in the recent plant, there is combined a peculiar and extremely nauseous bitterness. Judging by the taste, we should not hesitate to say, that the Cancer-root is a vegetable endued with considerable powers. It must be confessed, however, that these powers are much less obvious in the dried than in the recent vegetable. Some, of the medical powers of this plant have long been known to the people of the United-States. It has been celebrated as a remedy in dysentery. There are, I think, cases of dysentery in which much advantage might be expected from the exhibition of a medicine possessed of the powers of the Cancer-root. But this vegetable has acquired its principal reputation as a re- medy in cancerous affections. How far it is entitled to any character in such affections, I am unable to say, hav- ing never employed it in a case of genuine cancer. But it is proper to mention, that the Orobanche has been supposed, by many persons, to have formed a part of the celebrated cancer-powder of Dr. Hugh Martin, whose success in the management of many cases of this dread- ful disease, has been acknowledged by the regular prac- titioners of Philadelphia, Sec. As early as 1785, at which time I was a student of medicine, I was informed, by the people inhabiting the western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia, that this Orobanche formed the principal part, if not the whole, of Martin's powder. It was even said, that Martin, who { 8 ) had passed some time at Fort-Pitt, was known to have collected the plant for the purpose. 1 believe it to be a fact sufficiently established, that the basis (or perhaps rather the most active part) of Martin's powder, was the oxyd of arsenic. This has been shown by a chemical examination of the powder*^, and by other circumstances nearly as decisive. Thus comatose affections (such as are known to be induced by arsenic) have been induced by the powder of Martin, even when externally applied in cancerous ulcers. A case of this kind came under the notice of a physicianf in Philadelphia. The patient seemed to fall a victim to the application of the medicine. But the powder of Martin did not consist entirely of the oxyd of arsenic. This is certain. I believe it to be certain also, that he combined with the arsenic, a vege- table matter; and from what has been said, it would seem not entirely improbable, that this vegetable was the Oro- banche Virginiana. It may be said, and it is not impossible, tiat Martin added the vegetable matter merely to disguise the arse- nic, reposing, at the same time, c//his confidence in the arsenic alone. I think it more probable, however, that the superior efficacy of Martin's powder, and of the pow- ders in the hands of other empirical practitioners, has been, in part, owing to the addition of something to the arsenic. If there be no foundation for this suspicion, how has it happened, that in the management of cancers, the empirical practitioners have often succeeded so much better with their medicines than the regular physicians * See Dr. Rash's paper on the subject. In the Transactions of the Ameri- can Philosophical Society. Vol. II. No. x.wi. 7 Dr. Adam Kuhn, from \vhom I received the fact. ( 9 ) have done? Both use arsenic. Some of the cancer pow- ders, employed by empirics, in Europe, are known to have been composed, in part, of arsenic and a vegetabk matter. The celebrated powder of Plumked was made up of arsenic, the root of a species of Ranunculus, or Crow-foot, and sulphur. Whatever may have been the vegetable which Martin used in combination v» ith arsenic, it is certain, that the powder of the Orobanche, or Cancer-root, has been of great service (in Philadelphia, &c.) externally applied to obstinate ulcers, some oi which had resisted the applications that are commonly made use of in such cases. It would be well to try the effects of this vegeta- ble in those dreadful ulcerations (by some writers deem- ed cancerous), which are too frequently the consequence of the use of mercury, when it has been given in large quantity. Cases of the kind I allude to, are recorded by Dr. Donald Monro, Mr. Adams, in a valuable work*, and other writers, I have had occasion to see some ul- cerations of the same kind in Philadelphia. They often refuse to yield to stimulating or to mild applications. With the view to encourage further inquiry into the nature and properties of the OrobancJie Virginiana, I may here mention, that one of the i'^uropean species of this genus, the Orobanche major, or Greater Broom-rape, is a very powerfid astringent, arid is said to have been found useful, externally applied, in cases of ulcers. This I mention on the respectable author!; ■ of Sir John Flo- yerf. The activity of the European piani may even be * Observations on INIorbid Poisons, Pliagedxiia,. and Cancer, &c. p. 6.5, &c. London: 1795. j Phai-m.icobasanos, or The Toucl-.stnii; of medicines, ?cc. p. 159. Lon- don: 1687. Part II. D ( I'J ) inferred from the fact mentioned by Shreber, that cattle do not eat it. We must pay, perhaps, no regard to cer- tain other powers which have been ascribed to it." Dicunt autem facere, ut taurum vacca appetat*." I have not been able to learn whether the Orobanche Virginiana is eaten by the homed cattle, or other quadrupeds. Section II. Tonics. i SHALL open this section with a few notices con- cerning some indigenous Bitter vegetables, which seem well entitled to the attention of physicians. At the same time, I avail myself of an opportunity of observing, that the tonic quality of vegetables does not so much consist in bitterness as some celebrated writersf have imagined. It will not be denied, that many of the l^itters (even those which have their bitterness unmixed with astringency) are some of the most useful tonics with which we are acquainted. But, it must be allowed, that certain other bitter veoretables have but a feeble claim to the character o of tonics. And it would not be a difficult task to show, that some of the most valuable tonics are (strictly speak- ing) neither bitter nor astringent. It is not eas}'^, there- fore, to say, in what the tonic property of medical agents does especially consist. It will hardly be doubted, how- ever, that every tonic exerts a stimulant effect upon the system, though, on many occasions, it may be difficult or impossible to measure the intensity or degree of the * Albert! v. Haller Histoiia Stripiuni Incligeiiarinn Helvetin; inchoata. Tom. i. p. 130. •j- Dr CuUen, particularly. See liis Treatise of the Ma+oria Medica. Vol. n.p.55, &c. ( ii ) stimulus applied, merely by an attention to the pulse. The pulse is often a very uncertain or fal- lacious TEST OF THE OPERATION OF STIMULANT AGENTS. The 2anthorhiza apiifolia* of L'Heritier, or Pars- ley leaved Yellow-root, is a native of North and Soutfe Carolina, and Georgia. It is a small shrub, which flow- ers early in the spring. This vegetable has long been known; but it is only within a very few years that it has excited the attention of physicians. The bai'k of the root is intensely bitter; I think more so than the root of Columbo. This bitter property pervades the wood of the root, as well as the bark: but in the former it is, unquestionably, weaker than in the latter. The bark of the stem is also bitter, perhaps, but little less so than that of the root. The sensation of bit- terness that is left in the mouth, when the bark has been chewed, is very durable and adhesive. It continues, to a considerable degree, even after the mouth has been re- peatedly washed with cold water. There does not seem to be combined with the bitterness, any very considera- ble degree of a foreign acrimony. However, upon hold- ing the bark for some time in the mouth, it evidently communicates to it a sense of pungency, or acrimony. I think there is less of this pungency in the bark of the stem than in that of the root. The infusion of the bark of the root, in hot water, had a disagreeable and somewhat virose smell. From this, however, it ought not to be inferred, that the Zan- thorhiza is a deleterious plant. A similar smell belongs • Ziiniiiorhiza simplicissima of Marsliall, and Zanthorhiza tinctoria of Woodhoiise. The specific name apiij'olia sliould be preferred ; ( 12 ) to many other bitter vegetables, eveSi to scnne of those which appear, from the experience of many ages, to be entitely innoxious. I am not ignorant, indeed, that a poisoiKJus quahty has been supposed to be necessarily attaclied to every bitter. I cannot help thinking, that this theory has been the result of a \ery limited view of the subject of bitters, and of their effects. The evil effects of the Portland powder, and other similar articles, in gouty affections, have, I am persuaded, been gi-eatly exaggerated by Dr. Cullen^'^, and some other writers: and the real bad effects of these articles must, perhaps, be ascribed to the long-continued repetition of a stimu- lant powder, by which the energies of the system are wasted, and. irregularities occasioned in the circulation of the blood. The Zanthorhiza, so far as we arc enabled to invey- tigate its properties, appears to be one of the most pure and unmixed bitters. The addition of the sidphat of iroii to an infusion of the bark of the root in boiling water did not produce the least perceptible change in the colour of the infusion, even when the tv. o articles were suffered to stand for a considerable time, after the addition. In this respect, as well as in others, it appears to make a very near approach to the Columbo. But I am inclined to think, that the Zanthorhiza is the least pure of the twof. To the saliva, the bark, when it is chewed, commu- nicates the most beautiful yello^v colour. The infusion in hot water is also very fine. If its colour could be fixed, the Zanthorhiza would be one of the most im- portant of all the YtWow plants tinctoritd with which we are acquainted. *- A Treatise of the Materia Medica. Vol. II. p. 64, 65, 66. V See Elements of Sotany, &c. Explanation of the Plates. Page 26 ( 13 ) Hitherto, the Zanthorhiza has been but little em.* ployt:d in practice. Some experiments have, however, been made with it*, and these are calculated to show, that it may be advantageously employed, and that it ought to have a place in the shops. Although less pure than Columbo, I believe it is, in certain cases, to be pre- ferred to that celebrated bitter. Professor Woodhouse, who seems to have paid more attention to this vegetable than any other person, has used it with very good effect, in several of those cases in which the bitt&r medicines are proper. For a correct representation of the Zanthorhiza, see the Medical Repository^ already referred to, and also, my Elements of Botany\. In the First Pait of these Collect'ionsXy I have made mention of the Hydrastis Canadensis, commonly called " Yellow-root." This is a very common vegetable in various parts of the United- States; particularly in the rich soil adjacent to the Ohio and its branches, in the western parts of Pennsylvania and Virginia; and in Ken- tucky. The root of this plant is a xtry powerful bittei': perhaps not less so than that of the Zanthorhiza. To the taste, however, it is unquestionably more pungent than the Zanthorhiza. When held between the lips, it even excites a very considerable sense of pungent heat. The dried root has a strong and virose smell, very simi- lar to that of the Zanthorhiza, but stronger. The infu- sion in hot water, smells very like the infusion of Zan- thorhiza. The two infusions taste a good deal alike. * See Medic.ll Repository. Vol. v. No. II. t Plate XII. q: Pag'e 9. See, >lso, Elements of Botan\', &.c F.ut Third, p. 70. ( 14 ) On adding a solution of the sulphat of iron to an in- fusion of the root of the Hydrastis, I was not able to dis- cover the least indication of astringency. This further shows the affinity of the two plants to each other. I may add, that although they do not both belong to the same artificial subdivision in the sexual system, they are both near relations in a family of Nature's making. They be- long to De Jussieu's order Raminculacece^ which may be considered as a pretty natural assortment of vegetables. The Hydrastis is a popular remedy in some parts of the United- States. A spirituous infusion of the root is employed, as a tonic bitter, in the Western parts of Penn- sylvania, &c., and there can be little doubt, that both in this, and in other shapes, our medicine may be used \\i\h much advantage. An infusion of the root, in cold water, is also employed as a wash, in inflammations of the eyes. In these cases, it is well known, that some of the bitter medicines, such as ox-gall, fish-gall, and others, have long maintained some character; and some of them, I believe, are entitled to the praises which have been be- stowed upon them. The root of the Hydrastis supplies us with one of the most brilliant yellow colours, with which we are ac- quainted. When it shall be subjected to proper experi- ments, I doubt not, it will be found a most valuable dye- plant, and well worthy of a place in the manufacturing houses. The Gentiana lutea, or common Gentian of the shops, is said to be a native of the United- States^'-. This, per- Kalm, ( 15 ) haps, is doubtful. But it is certain, that several of the indigenous species of this genus are intense and pretty pure bitters, but little, if at all, inferior to the species just mentioned*. The Gentiana Centauriumf, or Lesser Centory, is found native within the limits of the United- States. This, however, is not the plant which is called Cento- ry, or " Gentry," in Philadelphia, &c., where it is so commonly employed both by physicians, and as a do- mestic remedy in almost every family. The Centory to ^vhich I allude is the Chironia an- gularis of Linnaeus. This is a beautiful annual plant, and grows abundantly in many parts of the United- States, as in New- York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, &c. Every part of the plant is intensely bitter, in which re- spect it differs from the Gentiana Centaurium, the blos- soms of which are nearly insipid J. In other respects, it is closely allied to the Lesser Centory, the proper- ties of which are well known, and established by the experience of physicians, for many hundred years. In no respect, that I can perceive, is the Chironia inferior, as a bitter, to the Centaurium. As a much more com- mon plant than this latter, it may, without any injury to our patients, supersede its use in the practice of Amer- ican physicians, most of whom, if I do not mistake, have supposed, while they wtr^i employing the Chironia angularis, that they were using the Centaurium, of the European writers on the Materia Medica. The Chi- * See Collections, &c, Part First, page 15. t It is the Chironia Ccnlaurluiri of Curtis, Withering-, Smith, and other botanists. i Lewis. ( 16 ) ronia is mentioned by Dr. Schoepf, who speaks ot it as aromatic and bitter, and mentions the infusion as being useful in fevers*. Indeed, I believe that no bitter has been more generally prescribed in the United- States, in febrile and other affections, than this common Ameri- can plant, especially since the memorable year 1793, when it was much ejiiployed in certain stages of yellow- fever; and in which I believe it was very often used with much benefit. The Frasera Caroliniensis of Walterf (Frasera Wal- teri of MichauxJ) is nearly allied, in botanical habit, to the genus Geiitiana. This plant, which is a native of the states of New- York, Carolina, &:c., is furnished with a large tuberous root, of a yellow colour, which pro- mises to be little inferior, as a bitter, to the Gentian of tlie shops, and for which, I suspect, it has sometimes been mistaken, I CANNOT conclude this part of the subject of the Tonics, without observing, that the countries of the United- States are so rich in bitter vegetables, that there can be no necessity for having recourse to the foreign articles of this class; especially when such articles are only to be procured at a high price: a circumstance which not unfrequently becomes a source of the adul- teration of medicines, in this and in other countries. * Materia Medica Americana, &c. p. 27. Schoepf caUs the plant, WiM- u-^uccory. '[• Flora Caroliniana, he. p. 8/, 88. ^ Flora Bore all -America!! a, Sec. Tom. i. p. 96, 97 ( i7 ) In the First Part of this work, I made some mention of two American species of Cornel, or Dog- wood, the Comus florida and Cornus sericea*. Since the publica- tion of that part, these two vegetables have engaged the attention of an ingenious graduate in the university of Pennsylvania, Dr. John M. Walker, to whom we are indebted for much interestmg information concerning themf. An analysis of the dissertation would not, I pre- sume, be uninteresting to my readers. But I camiot undertake the task in this place. I think it a duty, how- ever, to mention some of the author's experiments and observations. The taste of the barks of the two Cornels, and that of the Peruvian bark, is nearly similar, " though some- *' what more bitter and astringent in the Corni than the *' bark: the former when retained in the mouth some- " time, only impart to the tongue these two tastes, along *' with a pleasant warmth; whereas when the latter is " retained the same length of time, along with this bit- " terness and astringency, it imparts an indescribable " taste, which will be easily recognised by every one " who has taken the bark." Dr. Walker's experiments show, " that the Cor- " nus florida and sericea, and the Peruvian bark, pos- " sess the same ingredients, that is gum, mucilage, and " extract, which last contains the tannin and gallic acid, " though in difl'erent proportions. The Florida possesses " most of the gum, mucilage, and extract; the Seri- " cea the next, which appears- to be an intermediate be- » See pages 11, 12, 47. f An Experimental Inquiry Inlo the similarity in virtue between the Cor- nus florida and sericea, and the Cinchona officijialis of Linnxus, S;c. See. Philadelpliia: 1803. Part II. E ( 1^ ; " tween the Florida and Peruvian Bark; while the latter " possesses most of the resin. Their virtues appear " equally similar in their residence. The extract and " resin possess all their active virtues. The extract ap- " pears to possess all their tonic power. The resin, " when perfectly separated from the extract, appears to " be purely stimulant*." Our author has established the stimulant power of the two Cornels, by actual experiments upon the healthy system. By the use of these medicines, the pulse was often rendered fuller and stronger, and always quickerf . The bark of the Cornus sericea forms a beautiful tincture with proof spirits. This is deserving of a place in the shops, as are, also the powdered barks of both species. I CAN add but little, from my o^^'Tl experience, con- cerning the application of these two species of Cornus to the cure of diseases. I believe, however, that it may, with entire safety, be asserted, that as yet we have not discovered within the limits of the United- States, any vegetables which have been found so effectually to an- swer the purpose of the Peruvian bark, in the manage- ment of intermittent fevers, as the Cornus florida mi^ Cornus sericea. In an intermittent fever, which prevailed in West- New-Jersey, about twenty-four years ago, the bark of the Cornus florida was found more useful than the Pe- * An Experimental Inquiry, &.c. page 29. t Ibid, page 46. ( 19 ) mvian bark. It was used in the shape of a decoction*, I must candidly confess, however, that I have heard of more instances of the faikire of this Cornel than of the Peruvian bark. Rut has any vegetable so completely prevented the recurrence of the paroxysms of intermit- tents as the last mentioned one? In the mineral kingdom, indeed, we have discovered an inestimable substitute for the bark: I mean Arsenic. This, particularly I think, when it is given in substancef, will more certainly cure the intermittent, than any vegetable yet known, the Pe- ruvian bark excepted. But I am inclined to think, that relapses are more common after the employment of arse- nic than after that of the bark. Besides, Arsenic CANNOT ALWAYS BE USED WITH ENTIRE SAFETY. In illustration of this position, I may here observe, that I myself have seen three cases of very general oedema of the face and limbs (especially the former) evidently induced by arsenic. Two of the subjects were childreUj * From the Information of my learned friend, the Reverend Dr. Nicholas Collin, of PhiUdelpliia. t I have, for several years, employed the oxyd of arsenic in substance, fn preference to Dr. Fowler's solution. I think it a much more certain medi- cine than the solution. I commonly give it in comi)ination with opium. One grain of the arsenic is united to four or eight grains of opluin, and made ioto a mass with conserve of roses, or honey, or soap. Tliis is divided into si.vteeii pills, of which I direct the patient (an adult) to take two or three, at differ- ent periods, in the course of the day and nigiit, espscially during the apyrexia: Such are tlie powers of this medicine, that two grains of it are often sufficient to cure an intermittent, t!iat has continued for weeks! Sometimes, I use largat' doses: but in a majority of the cases that have come under my notice, I have found three sixteenths of a grain of arsenic sufficient for the period of tvyenty- four hours. As children ara, with difficulty, prevailed upon to take the medi- cine in the shape of a pill, I rub down the arsenic with honey or molasses and water, and sometimes with a portion of gum-arabic. In this form, it is very conveniently given to cliildrcn, by drops; and the quantity of the mineral, in each dose, may be esLimated with considerable accuracy. — in the cure cf intermittents, does arsenic operate by virtue of its tojiic power? — Tlie Peru- vian bark sometimes cur?s intermittents that have resisted the powers o.* arsenic. ( 20 ) and the third an adult. They all recovered, without expe- riencing any other inconvenience from the medicine. I have also seen a case of temporary paralysis (or perhaps rather extreme debility) of the limbs induced by the medicine, in a patient labouring under an obstinate in- termittent. These notices may, possibly, be of some use to the very yoitng and inexperienced practitioner, for whom principally they are thus candidly mentioned. The spirituous tincture of the bark of the Cornus se- ricea, already mentioned, has been advantageously used in the latter stage of diarrhoea, unaccompanied with fe- ver*. I HAVE already made mention of the Magnolia glau- caf . The bark of this tree is celebrated among the Wes- tern Indians, as a remedy in rheumatism, and in fevers. The tree grows, in great profusion, upon the river Kan- haway, whither the Indians resort for the purpose of procuring the bark, wliich they carry off, in great abun- dance. Employed in the shape of a decoction, it " proves gently cathartic and ultimately sudorific." A cold in- fusion and a tincture of the bark are much used in in- termittents. " In one case of inflammatory rheumatism ^' it seemed to produce considerable eftect and relief, as *' a sudorific, after blood-letting had been premised." It is known by the names of Elk-Bark and Indian Bark|. From the former name, I presume the bark is eaten by the American Elk, or Cervus Wapiti. We know it is eaten by the Beaver: hence one of the English names of this tree, viz. Beaver-tree. * Pi'om the information of Dr. Amos Gregg, jun. I See Part First, pages 13, 14. + From the information of my friend, Charles Everett, M. D. of Miltori/s Aibematle-Coimty, Virginia. ( 21 ) For further information concernine: the medical and o other properties of this vegetable, I refer the reader to Dr. Thomas D. Price's Inaugural Dissertation on the Magnolia Glauca, or Common White Laurel-tree'^. The bark of the Prunus Virginiana (Cerasus Virgi- niana of Michaux), which I have mentioned in the First Part of these Collections\, is considerably bitter and as- tringent. These qualities are accompanied with some aromatic warmth. It has been justly observed, that " there is a great similarity between the flavour of this "bark, and the skin inclosing the kernels of peach *' stones J." This bark also possesses an evident nar- cotic quality, to which it is highly probable, that some of th-e useful qualities of the medicine, in certain cases, must be ascribed. It is manifestly stimulant. The bark of the root seems to be more powerful than that of the trunk. My own experience with this vegetable has been in- considerable. I'he experience and observations of others, however, lead me to believe, that it is a medicine well worthy of the notice of physicians. In some parts of the United- States, the bark has been much employed in in- termittents, in which it is said to have been found as ef- ficacious as the Peruvian bark. This I am not willing to believe. But as it is a durable tonic, there is little reason to doubt, independently on actual observations, that it is deserving of attention in this common disease. The bark has also been found useful in certain cases of dyspepsia, in consumption of the lungs, and in lum- » Philadelphia: 1802. f See pages 11 and 3S- t DiT- Morris. ( 22 ) bar abscess, attended with hectic fever, and colliquative sweats. Of its use in this latter case, we have an in- stance in the Medical Repository'^. The patient made use of a decoction of the bark. It would be easy to men- tion many other diseases in which this medicine ha» been advantageously employed. I HAVE already observedf, that the leaves of this tree are poisonous to certain animals. Dr. Morris has shown, that the distilled water of the leaves is a powerful poi- son to different species of animals, such as kittens, pi- geons, &c. About a tea-spoonful of the water killed a " pigeon fully fledged," in thirty-two minutes. This gentleman was obliged to make his experiments upon the young and imperfectly-expanded leaves of the tree. The adult leaves are doubtless more powerful. Expe- riments would seem to show, that the deleterious prin- ciple of the leaves is of a very volatile nature|. Under this head of tonics, I may, with some pro- priety, take notice of the Eupatorium perfoliatum. I am sensible, however, that this vegetable might be more advantageously treated of under several different heads, such as those of Emetics, Sudorifics, &c., than under one individual head. But as a tonic quality is, unques- tionably, attached to this plant, and as I am not, in these Collections, paiticularly studious of method, 1 shall brin^ together all I have to offer concerning the Eupatorium, under one point of view. Of this very common plant in almost every part of the United States, I have made " Vol V. No. III. t Part First, pr.ge 11. t Sec an Inaugural Dissert:*lon on the Prunus Virghiianaj &,c. Sec. E} Charles Morris, cf Virginia. Philadelphia: 1B02. ( 23 ) mention in the First Part of these Collections^. It is the Eupatorium connatum of Michaux. Besides the pro- vincial or common EngUsh names which have already been mentioned, it is known by the following appella- tions: viz. Thorough- stem, Cross-wort, Bone-set, and Indian- Sage. The first of these names has been imposed upon it from the peculiar structure of the leaves, which are opposite, and appear as though the stem was thrust through them. It has received the name of Cross- wort, by which it is known in many parts of Virginia, from the position of the leaves, each pair of which (in general) take their origin from opposite sides of the stem, so that they cross each other nearly at right angles. I am more at a loss to refer the word Bone-set to its real origin: but I presume the plant received this name, from the great relief which, on many occasions, it has been known to afford to persons labouring under violent remitting and other fevers, in which the bones are greatly pained. The resemblance of the leaves of this plant to those of the Common Sage (Salvia officinalis) was, long ago, re- marked by the botanistsf. Hence the name Indian- Sage, by which this Eupatorium is known in some parts of Pennsylvania. We have seen, that it is one of the re- medies of the Indians|. I HAVE already hinted at the obvious properties of the Eupatorium, and have observed, that it has been used in intermittents, and other fevers^. I am now to remark, in consequence of subsequent inquiries, that the plant * See pages 28, 55. f Particularly by Plukenet, who thus defines the plant: " Eupatoriunn Vir- ginianuni, Salvix foliis longissiinis acuminatis, perfoUatum. Aim. Bot. 140'. t. 86. f. 6. ^ Part First, p. 28, 55. ^ Part First, p. 28, 55. ( 24 ) has been exhibited, with uncommon advantage, in these affections. In simple intermittents, admitting of distinct intermissions, a decoction of the whole plant, or the leaves in powder, have, on many occasions, proved ef- fectual in preventing the recurrence of paroxysms. I now speak of the medicine, as exhibited during the time of intermission. But the vegetable, especially in the form of a decoction, has often been given during the time of the hot stage, and I am in possession of a large portion of testimony in favour of its efficacy when thus employ- ed. Not only in intermittents, but likewise in remit- tents, and in the malignant yellow-fever, as it has pre- vailed in Philadelphia, &c., has our plant been used, with much advantage. When exhibited in the form of a warm decoction, it has seemed to prove peculiarly beneficial, especially by exciting a copious perspiration. The effect of the medicine, in inducing this evacuation, constitutes one of its most valuable properties, and has procured to it an appellation (that of the " vegetable antimony") to which, I believe, it is as well entitled as many other ve- getables, which might be mentioned. But I greatly doubt if the sudorific effect of this plant, v/hen unassisted by heat, can be compared to that of the Polygala Senega, and several other American plants. It often proves eme- tic: but this operation, which on many occasions, is not the least useful of its properties, may be prevented by a proper attention to the medicine. In some parts of the United- States, it is exhibited in intermittents, chiefly with a view to its emetic effect. The Eupatorium has been used in other cases. It is said to have been found very useful in a peculiar and distressing affection of the herpetic kind, which was formerly very common in Virginia, and there knovvn by the name of the " James-river Ringworm;" because it ( 25 ) was especially prevalent among the inhabitants residing upon the upper streams of James-River. This disease was particularly disposed to affect young men. It at- tacked the thighs, the scrotum, and especially the parts immediately adjacent to the anus. It extended its ra- vages into the rectum, and perhaps much further. It was, at all times, a disgusting and troublesome disease, though it rarely proved mortal. Mr. Jefferson* informed me, in 1802, that within the period of his remembrance, this herpes was extreme- ly common in Virginia, and that it had gradually disap- peared, or become less common, from about the timef that the Warm and Hot Springs, in the county of Bath, in Virginia, had been better known, and more frequent- ed. He ascribed the disappearance of the affection to the use of these waters; the temperature of the former of which is about 98°: that of the latter 106°, of Faren- heit's thermometer. In this affection, the Eupatorium perfoliatum has often been found very beneficial, as I have been inform- ed by a respectable physicianj in Virginia. The pa- tient drank a decoction of the plant, and continued the use of it for a considerable time. It sometimes puked: it, no doubt, purged; and, in all probability, it operated as a sudorific. But by what quality it more especially operated, in curing the disease, I am unable to say. The fact may, I believe, be depended upon. * The President of the United-States. t These waters were certainly known at least ?.s early as 1759 or 1769. But I believe they did not begin to be frequented, by any considerable num- ber of persons, until some years after. The James -river Ringworm was very prevalent about the year 1766. i Dr. Thomas Kr.ox, of Culpepcr. Part II. F ( 26 ) It may, perhaps, serve to increase our coniidence in the powers ascribed to the Eupatorium perfoUatum as a remedy for herpes, to observe, that the Aya-Pana^ which of late has excited so much attention, is a species of this vast family of plants, and that it also has been celebrated as a remedy in certain affections, somewhat allied to herpes*. I CLOSE this article by observing, that every part of the Eupatorium perfoliatum may be advantageously employed in practice. I believe, from my own observa- tions, that the flowers possess the greatest portion of the activity of the plant; and they ought to be kept in the shops. As a tonic bitter, I deem them superior to the flowers of Camomile, (Anthemis nobilis), for w^hich they might be substituted, on many occasions. Section III. Stimulants, or Incitants. § 1. General Stimulants. .Kalmia latifoliat. The powdered leaves of this ve- getable have been used, with much success, in some cases of intermittentsj. A saturated tincture, prepared from the leaves with a proof spirit, is an active medicine, and perhaps worthy of a place in the shops§. For some • See Mr, Tilloch's valuable Philosophical Magazine, &c. vol. xiii. p. 376, h.z. &c. \ See Part First, p. 18, S^. % Dr. Amos Greg-g, jun. § A few drops of this tincture, poured upon the body of a larg'e and vigor- ( 27 ) interesting information concerning the powers of this species of Kalmia, and also those of Kalmia angustifo- lia, or Narrow- leaved Kalmia, commonly called Lamb- kill, &c., I beg leave to refer the reader to Dr. George G. Thomas's Inaugural Dissertation concerning these plants, published at Philadelphia, in 1802. Laurus Sassafras. In the First Part of this work, I have made mention of the oil of this vegetable, and have hinted at its affinity to camphor*. The resemblance between the two articles is further evinced by this cir- cumstance, that the oil of Sassafras, when externally applied to the body in rheumatic and gouty affections, is remarkable for its power of shifting the pain from its original seat; but not always to the advantage of the pa- tient. Like camphor, therefore, it ought ever to be used, in such affections, with great caution. I believe, how- ever, that it is a medicine well adapted to many cases of rheumatism, in its chronic stage; though even here it may prove injurious. The Phytolacca decandra, well known by the names of Poke, Garget, American Nightshade, &c., is one of the most common North- American plants. It is, cer- tainly, a plant of great activity, though the young shoots, when boiled, may be eaten with impunity, and are justly deemed a great delicacy. By many, they are preferred to the finest asparagus. Some of the medicinal powers of this plant have long been knownj. The ripe berries, infused in brandy, ous rattle-snake, in my possession, killed the reptile in a very short time. It ', iolently affected the animal, almost instantaneously, * Pages 19, 20. f See the writing's of Kalm, Vogel, Halicrj AlUoni, Schoepf, and others. ( 28 ) or wine, especially the former, are a popular remedy for rheumatism, in many parts of the United- States. This tincture of Poke (Tinctura PhytolacccsJ is certainly a valuable medicine in cases of chronic rheumatism, and other similar affections. Like the volatile tincture of gum Guaiacum, it has sometimes done injur}^; as might in- deed be expected from an active medicine, in the hands of the injudicious or ignorant. It may, I believe, be safely exhibited in most of the cases of rheumatism, in which the Guaiacum has been used with safety and ad- vantage. In the rheumatic affections, which frequently succeed to the venereal disease, it seems to be a more valuable medicine than the Guaiacum, and may be ad- vantageously employed, especially along with calomel, or other preparations of mercury. I have employed the ripe juice of the berries, inspissated to the state of an extract, in some cases of scrophula. The juice, in the same state, has, I am informed, been advantageously employed in cases of cancerous ulcers. These ulcers were dressed with the extract, spread upon linen, or upon the leaf of the plant. But the juice of the leaves, applied in the same manner, is said to have been found more efficacious. I am inclined to repose some credit in the testimonies which I have collected concerning the utility of the extract of Poke, in the cases just men- tioned. The reader may consult, with advantage, An Inau- gural Botanico-Medical Dissertation on the Phytolacca Decandra of Linneeus, By Benjamin Shultz*. As a re- pository of facts concerning the Phytolacca, this disser* tation is valuable, and worthy of attention. But the sub- ject is still, in a great measure, a new one. * Philadelphia: 179-5. ( 29 ) Arum triphyllum*. The recent root of this plant boiled in milk, so as to communicate to the milk a strong impregnation of the peculiar acrimony of the plant, has been advantageously employed in cases of consumption of the lungs. I have heard of one case (that of a negro man in Virginia) who was completely cured of a pulmo- nary consumption by continuing to take, for a consider- able time, milk in which the root of the Arum had been boiled. It would certainly be worth trying this simple prescription in some cases of a disease which so general- ly baffles the powers of all our medicines, and the skill of the best physicians. I am not ignorant, that within the period of a very few years, the disease of consumption has been supposed to be deprived of some of its terrors: but I must add, with real regret, that notwithstanding the high encomiums which have been bestowed upon the Digitalis as a remedy for this disease, by some dis- tinguished medical philosophers, and practitionersf, I have employed this vegetable in a considerable number of cases of consumption, and, upon the whole, with very inconsiderable permanent advantage. In one case, in- deed, it seemed to perform a cure of what I deemed ge- nuine phthisis: in several other cases, it evidently and remarkably affected the pulse, and moderated the urgen- cy of the symptoms; but the patients ultimately fell vic- tims to the disease. Some of the patients to whom I exhibited the Digitalis were so far advanced in the dis- ease, that little benefit could have been expected from medicine of any kind: but others of them again were in the earlier stages of the disease, and consequently in a situation that seemed to admit of permanent relief, from this or from other medicines. Yet, with the exception of * Part First, p. 21, 52. t Mr. Saunders, Dr. Thomas Eeddoer-, Dr. N. Dn.kcj Sec. &c. ( 30 ) the case already hinted at, I have not been able to effect a single cure by means of Digitalis. I am even inclined to think, that I have, in several instances*, more consi- derably arrested the progress of phthisis pulmonalis by means of emetics (particularly the sulphat of zinc, ex- hibited in the manner recommended by Dr. Moseleyf) than by Digitalis. Candour compels me to add, that my own experience with the Digitalis in consumption has been less than that of several other practitioners in Philadelphia, some of whom entertain a more favoura- ble opinion of the medicine, as a remedy for consump- tion, than I do. Dr. Storck, of Vienna, has called the attention of physicians to a species of Clematis, or Virgin's-Bower, the Clematis recta|. This is a very acrid and active plant, which Storck recommended in cancerous, vene- real and other malignant ulcers, and also in obstinate pains of the head, and bones, and in other diseases. An infusion of the flowers or leaves, and an extract of the plant were used internally. The powder was sprinkled upon the ulcers, where it was found to act as an excel- lent escharotic and detergent. I DO not knov/ that the Clematis recta is a native of any part of America. I have been led to mention the plant in this place, because the United- States afford us some species of the same genus, .which, from a few ex- periments that I have made with them, promise to be useful in medicine. The species which I have more par- ticularly attended to, are Clematis crispa, and Clematis * Especially in the Pennsylvania Hospital, in tlie suminer of ISOo. f A Treatise upon Tropical Diseases, &.c. &c. p. 541, &c. London: 1792. ■^ Upright Virgin's-Bower. Stoixk calls the plant Flammula Jovis. It is a native oi" Austria, Hunpavy, Switzerland, and France. ( 31 ) Viorna. The leaves of these species are extremely acrid, and may be found useful in chronic rheumatism, palsy, old ulcers; and, in fine, in all the diseases in which Storck found the Clematis recta useful*. As they arc very active plants, it is necessary to use them in small doses. I have received some obscure. information con- cerning the employment of one of the species (I think C. crispa), in Virginia, as a remedy in some particular affections. Dr. Schoepf has made no mention of these plants, but has proposed the employment of Clematis Virgini- ana, as a substitute for Clematis rectaf. The C. Vir- giniana is a much more feeble plant than either of the three other species which have been mentioned. § II. Topical Stimulants. The Pyrola umbellata, already mentioned, may be noticed under this head. The bruised leaves of this plant, when externally applied, sometimes induce red- ness, vesication and desquamation of the skin. But this is by no means a constant operation of the vegetable; and, therefore, it does not seem particularly worthy of our attention, in this point of view. Rhus radicans|. The following observations, rela- tive to the deleterious property of this common plant, * See Elements of Botany, &c. Part Third, p. 70. f Materia Medica Americana, &c. Praefatio, p. jiii, ^ Ses Part First, p. 23> 52, 53, 54. ( 52 ) will not, I hope, be unacceptable to those who are in- terested in a knowledge of its natural history. The person who is the subject of the observations, has, for many years, been severely affected by the plant; and although many other persons are similarly affected, it is not often, I believe, that the progress of the poison is marked with minute attention in those who are injured by it. On the eighth day of July, 1795, I applied two or three drops of the milky juice whilst it issued from the common foot-stalk of the leaves of the Rhus radicans, to the wristband of my shirt. These leaves, immediately before, had been torn from the stalk of the plant, by a friend of mine*. My object, in applying the juice, was to determine, in what length of time it would assume the black hue. In a kw minutes, I found that the linen was stained black, and in a short time after this, I observ- ed that the juice had penetrated through the Avristband, and that it had communicated a dark brown or blackish colour to that portion of the epidermis which was im- mediatel}' under it. The day was unusually warm, and I went into the water to bathe. In the evening, I felt a considerable itching of my wrist, and the following morning observed, that there were upon it a number of extremely minute vesicles, which contained a fluid more or less limpid, or transparent. The itching increased hourly: the wrist and the middle of the fore-arm began to swell, and the vesicles extended themselves rapidly, chiefly upwards, towards the elbow, and partly down- wards, along the lower part of the wrist, and upon the fingers. * I was not myself witliin Oic sphere of tlie action of the plant, wliich I was careful to avoid, v.eil knowing-, from long' cxTieiieucc, its injurious cf lects upon me. ( 33 ) Me a n w h I l e , vesicles accompanied with, and pre- ceded by, itching more or less troublesome, made their appearance, upon various other parts of the body. The face was universally sprinkled with them. But these were extremely small, the fluid which they contained, was always very limpid, and without any application, ex- cept that of cold water every morning, they entirely disappeared in two or three days. About the seventh or eighth day, the itching, the inflammation, and the spread of the vesicles appeared to be nearly at their height. At this period, and for some days afterwards, the greater part of the fore-arm, and about one third of the arm were swelled to nearly twice the natural thickness; the itching was intolerable, and the vesicles, in general, were no longer filled with a limpid fluid, but contained a thick matter, or pus, very similar to that of small-pox, and strongly adhering to the linen. On the ninth day, I perceived a swelling in the axil- lary gland of the right arm, which was that to which the lacteous juice was applied, and which was chiefly affect- ed. The swelling rapidly increased, until it became of the size of a hen's egg, and on the second day from its appearance, it had almost entirely evanished. From the period that the swelling was at its height, to its entire disappearance, the itching was almost uni- versal, and much more insupportable than it was before. I attributed this itching to the influence of the poison, which, I suppose, was conveyed into the system, from the time that the axillary gland began to swell and in- flame. Nevertheless, I could not discover that there was Part IT. C; ( 34 ) in consequence of this supposed absorption of the poi- son, any increase of the number of vesicles upon the surface of the body. In fifteen days from the time that the poison was first applied to my arm, all the disagreeable symptoms had ceased; the vesicles had almost entirely disappeared; a desquamation of the affected parts had taken place, and a new epidermis had been formed. From the foregoing statement, it must appear evi- dent, that to some constitutions the milk-like juice of the Rhus radicans is capable of producing very disa- greeable effects. It must not, however, be imagined, that these effects are equally disagreeable to all constitutions; and it is certain that there are viany persons who are not at all affected by this plant. It has been asserted, that persons of the most irritable habits of body are the most liable to be affected by the Rhus radicans, and by some other species of the same genus. I do not intend to oppose myself as an excep- tion to this position; but from a recollection of the con- stitutions of several persons to whom this poison has been applied, I have very little hesitation in asserting, that the susceptibility of receiving its influence is by no means proportional to the degree of irritability, whether muscular or mental, of the habit. It may, I believe, be asserted with much more truth, that the susceptibility of receiving the influence of the poison of the Rhus radi- dans is somewhat proportional to the delicacy and thin- ness of the epidermis and skin. Hence, no doubt, it is that females are more liable to be poisoned by this plant than males; that the face is seldom so much affected by it as the arms, the genitals, and most other parts of the ( 35 ) body that are protected from the constant influence of the air; and that young persons are more frequently poi- soned than those who have arrived at the age of man- hood, or who have passed to the term of older age. I H A VE said, that there are many persons who are not, in the least, affected by the poison of the Rhus radicans, externally applied. This is an undoubted fact. Some of these persons after expressing the juice of the plant, will rub it upon their arms, and other parts of their bo- dies, without experiencing the smallest injurious effect. I am acquainted with two gentlemen, who find no ill effects from cl ew .g, for a considerable time, the recent leaves of this pidni. It deserves to be mentioned, that one of the gentlemen, I allude to, is liable to be consi- derably injured by the effluvia of the Rhus radicans, when applied to the external surface of his body. It may not be improper to observe, in this place, that several other native plants besides the species of Rhus, and the Pyrola umbellata, induce, in certain persons, a vesicular state of the skin. The flowers of the Kalmia latifolia, or Broad-leaved Laurel, have been known to do this in some persons. I knew an elderly lady who was affected, in the same way, by the Nerium Oleander, or Common- Oleander, or Rosebay. But this last is not an American vegetable. A DECOCTION of the bark of the Rhus radicans has been used, with seeming advantage, in some cases of consumption of the lungs, in different parts of Pennsyl- vania. A gentleman of my acquaintance (who has since fallen a victim to the disease) informed me, that he had certainly found much benefit from this decoction in a pulmonary affection, complicated with fistula in ano. ( 36 ) A decoction of the root of the plant is said to have been advantageously employed in cases of asthma. A LATE writer, M. du Fresnoi, strongly recommends the Rhus radicans, in the treatment of herpetic affections, and in paralysis. In the first of these cases, he employed the infusion and the distilled water of the leaves of the plant. He relates seven cases, which seem to establish, unequivocally, the efficacy of these preparations in the affections which I have mentioned. He says he cured five cases of paralysis by the use of the plant*. Dr. Al- derson informs us, that he has used the Rhus Toxico- dendron, with much benefit, in the same diseasef. The bark of the Rhus glabrum, or Smooth Pennsyl- vania SumachJ, boiled in milk, has been recommended as a remedy for chronic ulcers; and, 1 am informed, has been found very useful. The ulcers are often washed with the decoction. Section IV. Sialagoga. I HAVE nothing additional to say under the head of particular Errhines, and therefore proceed to the sec- tion of Sialagoga, or Salivating medicines. Be- tween these and the Errhines, there is a very great affin- * Des proprietes de laplante, appellee, Rhus radicans; de son utility, he. Sec. A Leipsic: 1788. Ihave not seen the original work. ■}■ An Essay on the Rhus Toxicodendron, or Pubescent Poison-Oak, or Su- mach, &c. By John Alderson, M. D. Hull: 1796, ^ Part First, p. 53, ( 37 ) ity; as is evinced by this circumstance, that several arti- cles of the materia medica, both minerals and vegetables, very frequently act by increasing the secretion by the nose, and also that by the salivary glands. This is re- markably the case with respect to the sulphat of mercu- ry, or turpith-mineral; and, in one instance, I think I have seen a salivation decidedly induced by the use of the turpith-mineral, in combination with tobacco, that had been used, for some weeks, as an errhine. This will the more readily be admitted as a fact, when we read, that a very extensive salivation of long continuance, has been apparently induced by an irritation applied to the paro- tid gland, through the medium of the meatus auditorius. The iixitating substance was a portion of fetid wool*. It would be an easy task to cumulate facts to prove, that " the number of salivating medicines is much great- " er than has been commonly imaginedf." Pol YG ALA Senega, or Seneca Snake-root J. My in- genious pupil, Dr. Thomas Walmsley has lately com- municated to me an additional instance of the salivating power of this active vegetable. The patient (a lady aged about years) had taken, for some time, a decoction of the Seneca, and was thrown into a profuse ptyalism, which continued for a considerable time. It is a well -ascertained fact, that the disease of teta- nus has often been induced by different poisonous vege- tables: by Datura Stramonium, Hyoscyamus albus, or White-Henbane, not to mention several others. The * See Medical Transactions, published by the College of physicians in London, vol. II. p. 34, &c. t See Part First, p. 25. =. See Part First, p. 26. ( 38 ) same disease is likewise sometimes induced by the heal- thy or natural poisons of certain animals. I have collect- ed two well-authenticated instances of the production of this disease, by the bites of venomous serpents, in the United- States. One of the patients died. The teta- nus did not come on until six or seven days after she was bitten. The other recovered from the disease, by the use of large doses of the Seneca, boiled in milk*. I know not whether this instance of success should en- courage us to hope, that the Seneca might be given, with advantage, in those cases of tetanus which are the con- sequence of wounds, in different parts of the body. I fear that our vegetable, though by no means a feeble one, will be found unequal to the cure of this terrible disease. The Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis and Zanthoxylum fraxinifolium are both mentioned in the First Part of these Collections^. They are both vegetables endued with very active powers. The bark promises to be a very useful medicine is cases of paralytic affections of the tongue, or of the muscles concerned in deglutition: and in such cases, when held in the mouth, they have been employed with advantage^. They are more active than Mezereon (Daphne Mezereum), which both Dr. Withering^ and myself have employed, with a good effect, in the same cases. It might, perhaps, be worth trying the Zanthoxyla, as masticatories, in some cases of stammerings In some parts of Virginia, the berries of Zanthoxy- lum fraxinifolium are much esteemed as a remedy in • See Elements of Botany, &c. Fait Tinrcl, p. 105. f See p. 26, 54. 4 By Dr. Tucker Harris, of Charleston, Soutli -Carolina. § x\ Systematic Arrangement, &c. vol II. p. 370. ( 39 ) violent cholicky affections. A spirituous infusion of the berries is employed. They are known by the name of ** Suter's-berries." For some interesting notices concerning the use of the bark of Zanthoxylum Clava Herculis, in rheumatic affections, in ulcers, &c- he. &c., I refer the reader to different communications, in the Memoirs of the Medical Society of Londorv^^ and other periodical publications. Section V. Emetics. Spiraea trifoliataf. This is sometimes very injudi- ciously employed by the country-people, insomuch that they are obliged to apply for medical aid to remove the debility induced by the large doses of the root which they employ. " It is said, that there grows in the state " of Kentucky, another species, which is still more " valuable, as an emetic, than the S. trifoliataj." The emetic power of the Sanguinaria Canadensis, of which I have taken notice in the former part of this work§, has been fully established by the experiments of Dr. Downey, in his ingenious essay upon this plant. The " most prominent effect" of the medicine is to in- duce vomiting, even Vvhen it is exhibited in moderate doses. " When taken in the dose of fifteen or twenty *' grains," it exerts powerful emetic qualities. " But '* in consequence of the irritation, which is produced in * Vol. V. t Part First, p. 27. ± Elements of Botany, &.c. Part HI p 8P. $ Pag'e 28. ( 40 ) " the fauces, it is probable, that in the form of a pow- " der, it will never come into general use. This incon- " venience may, however, be obviated, by giving it in " form of a decoction or extract." When managed with care, it is deemed " but little inferior to the ipecacuan- " ha, either in the certainty or speediness of its opera- " tion*. The powder of the root may be given as an " emetic for an adult, in the dose of fifteen or twenty " grains, made into pills, otherwise a considerable irri- " tation will be produced in the fauces in taking itf." Hitherto, the Sanguinaria has been but little em- ployed by the regular practitioners. It promises, how- ever, to be an useful medicine, particulai'ly on the foun- dation of its emetic and expectorant effects, in cases of cynanche maligna, or ulcerous sore-throat, in cynanche trachea'js, or hives, and other similar affections. Its pro- perties seem to be considerably allied to those of the Seneca Snake-root, which has been so beneficially em- ployed in the same cases J. I have received an account of its having been employed, in the shape of a decoc- tion, with very evident good effect, in the case of that particular form of cynanche trachealis, which Dr. Dar- win has named Peripneumonia trachealis^. The medi- cine proved emetic, and the patient recovered. * An Investij^ation of the properties of the Sangviinaria Canadensis, ov Puccoon. By V/illiam Downey, of Mary hmd. Philadelphia: 1803. I An Investigation, &c. pages 23, 25. t See Part First, p. 34, 5&, 57. § Zoonomia, or the Laws of Organic Life. Vol. I. The disease of hives appears under several different shapes, in all of which the tracliea seems to be essentially affected. In the course of mj' practice, I have met witn some cases, which answer precisely to Darwin's description, and for which I think the tei-m peripneumonia trachealis is a very appi-opriate one. If I do not mis- take, this form of the disease, in general, more readily admits of early anil complete reUefthan any of the other sliapcs in which it appears. ( 41 ) I HAVE already observed, that the seeds of the San- guinaria " appear to possess nearly the same quality as " the seeds of Datura Stramonium*." That is, they in- duce fever, delirium, dilatation of the pupil of the eye, &c. Dr. Downey concludes, from a few experiments, which he made with the " unripe seeds," that they pos- " sess a very considerable influence over the pulse, and *' a stupifying or narcotic qualityf." A deleterious pro- perty evidently resides in the leaves of the plantj, as well as in the seeds. Section VI. Cathartics. Under this head, in the former part of the work§, I have mentioned the Asclepias decumbens, commonly called Pleurisy-root, Flux-root, &c. The root of this plant does, unquestionably, possess a purgative quality. But this does not seem to be the most valuable part of its properties. It is said to possess a remarkable power of affecting the skin, inducing general and plentiful per- spiration, without greatly increasing the heat of the body. Accordingly, I find it is much employed by the practi- tioners of medicine, in some parts of the United- States, particularly, I believe, in Virginia, as a remedy in cer- tain forms of fever, in pleurisy, and other affections. The root is used both in powder and in decoction. Sometimes, it is used in combination with antimonials, ' » Part First, p. 28. •j- An Invest! gation, &.c. p. 24. t Ibid. p. 24. § Page 29. See, also, pa^e 55. Part n, ' H ( 42 ) Th e decoction often induces perspiration, when other medicines have failed to produce this eifect. A physi- cian*, who has been much in the habit of employing this Asciepias, informs me, that ' in the low states of * typhus fever, he has more frequently observed a per- * spiration to succeed to the use of the Asciepias than ^ to any of the sudorifics that are generally used.' About thirty years ago, this veg;etable was strongly recommended, as a specific for Pleurisy, by a Mr. Thom- son Mason, of Virginia. After the use of an antimonial emetic, and the loss of some blood, he gives his patients " as much of the Pleurisy-root, pounded very fine, and " then searched through a fine search, as will lie upon " a tolerable broad caseknife, in a cup of warm water, *' and repeats the dose every two hours, until the pa- ** tientis perfectly recovered, which happens frequently " after three days, and never fails freeing him from pain ** after six." Mr. Thomson assures us, that by these simple means, he '' has cured hundreds, and never failed *' in a single instance." It does not appear, that Mr. Thomson was a regular physician; but I have been led to mention his practice the more particularly, because his publication seems to have first called the attention of the public to the virtues of the Pleurisy-root, and I know that some ^'ery respect- able physicians, in Virginia!, have reposed not a little confidence in the powers which our author has ascribed ' Dr. Charles Everett. Letter to me, dated Milton, October 23d, 1803. I Among others, my friend, the late Dr. James Greenwa}-, of Dinwiddle - county, in Virginia. From this gentleman, I received a copy of Thomson's paper, wliich I think first made its appeiuance in an Almanac, in 1773. ( 43 ) to the medicine, as a remedy in the cases in which he employed it. From Mr. Thomson's publication, it also appears, that the Pleurisy-root may be given in pretty large doses, perhaps about half a dram, several times in the course of the day. Indeed, I find that the Virginia physicians are not very nice in the doses of this medicine, when they prescribe it. It seems that Mr. Thomson entirely confined him- self to the use of the Asclepias decumbens, or the spe- cies with beautiful orange-coloured blossoms. He ob- serves, however, that there are two other species of the Pleurisy-root, which are known by the name of " But- terfly-weed." It is probable, therefore, that these two kinds (one of which I take for Asclepias Syriaca, well known by the names of Wild- Cotton, and Cotton-plant) have sometimes been used for the Asclepias decumbens; and it is not unlikely, that a common assemblage of pro- perties belongs to a number of the species of this fine family of plants. Asclepias Vincetoxicum, which is a native of Europe, has been recommended by some wri- ters on the Materia Medica, as a remedy for dysentery, and other diseases. I HAVE already mentioned^ the extract of the Jug- lans cinereaf, or Butternut- Walnut. This appears to me to be one of our most valuable native cathartics. It is well adapted to the treatment of dysenter\% in which, however, it seems to operate merely as a laxative. A decoction of the inner bark f liber J of the tree has been » See Part First, p. 31. \ Juglans oblong'a alba cf Marshall. ( 44 ) very advantageously used as a cathaitic, in that malig- nant fever of our horses, called the yellow- water, which I formerly noticed*. Th e green or unripe fruit of this vegetable is consi- derably acrid, and when applied externally to the skin, induces some irritation there. Advantage has been taken of this property by the country-people in some parts of the United- States. They apply the cut end of the fruit to those milk-white spots which often appear upon dif- ferent parts of the body, and seem to arise from a re- moval of the rete mucosum, or perhaps rather its colour- ing matter, from the skin. A surgeon, whom I met with in the remote parts of the state of New- York, in the year 1797, informed me, that he had known the Butternut em- ployed with the effect of entirely removing the white ma- 6'«/^, or spots in some persons. I should have confidently ascribed the removal of these spots to the stimulant ope- ration of the juice of the nut, if I had not been assured, that similar affections are sometimes removed by the simple application of cream and other articles, which can hardly be supposed to operate by virtue of a stimu- lant power. I am, however, the more inclined to as- cribe the removal of the spots to the stimulant action of the nut, because in a case of this kind, that came under my own notice, I found much advantage from the ap- plication of a blister of cantharides to the affected parts. The spots were not only prevented from increasing, but were very sensibly diminished in size, by the action of the cantharides. I have the satisfaction to believe, that by this simple treatment, I prevented the colouring matter of the mucous membrane from beina: entirelv re- moved from one side, at least, of the face. •See Part First, p, 12. ( 45 ) I SHALL close this article by observing, that the spots of which I have been speaking, are mentioned by differ- ent writers, but by none, I believe, more particularly or correctly, than by my learned friend Professor Blumen- bach, of Gottingen. After speaking of the white spots which often make their appearance upon the bodies of negroes, and other dark -coloured people (see his section cutis fusca maculis candidis variegata), he has the follow- ing words; " Niveae vero istae et aequabiles mollesque " maculae quae non nisi actionem alienatam vasculorum " minimorum corii sequuntur, neutiquam inter Aethi- " opes tantum verum etiam passim inter nostrates occur- " runt; mihique ipsi bina istiusmodi exempla in Ger- " manicis hominibus observandi occasio fuit, alterum " viri juvenis, alterum senis sexaginta et quod excurrit " annorum. Utrique cutis subfusca hinc illinc maculis " diversae magnitudinis candidissimis distincta: quae " vero neutri connatae, sed isti infantili aetate, huic con- ** tra virili sensim et sua sponte subortae fuerant*." Section VII. Diuretics. I HAVE little to say under this head. I believe, how- ever, that it is a fact, that several of our indigenous ve- getables, of which no notice has been taken in the pre- ceding part of the Collections, are very powerful Diu- retics: but my knowledge of these plants is, as yet, very imperfect. ' De Generis Hiimani varietate nativa, &c, p. 154-, 155. Gottingae; 179J. ( 46 ) The Erigeron Philadelphicum, or Philadelphia Flea- Bane, is one of the most common plants in many parts of the United- States. A decoction or infusion of the plant has been used in Philadelphia, by several persons, for gouty and gravelly complaints, and some of them have informed me, that they have been much benefited by the use of the plant*. It operates powerfully as a di- uretic, and also as a sudorific. This Erigeron is known in Pennsylvania by the name of Skevish, which I sus- pect is a corruption of the word Scabious. Rut it must be confessed, that the genera Scabiosa (Scabious) and Erigeron are sufficiently remote from each other. I HAVE never employed the Erigeron Philadelphicum, in practice: but I am led to believe, that there is some foundation for the assertions which I have noticed, be- cause I find that the same plant is mentioned by Father Loureiro, as one of the remedies that are employed by the people of Cochinchina; and he speaks of it as an ac- tive emmenagogucf. In Virginia, there is a plant called " Piss-wort,'* which is deemed a very powerful diuretic. I am unac- quainted with the plant, which, however, has been men- tioned to me by a respectable physician, who informs me, that he once saw a strong decoction of it given to a horse, labouring under strangury, with the effect of sud- denly exciting a very copious flow of urine. Perhaps, it will be found that this plant is a species of Menisper- mura, or Moon-seed, of which genus there are several species indigenous within the limits of the United- States. * See Elements of Botany, &c. Part Third, p. 123. + Flora Cochinchinensis, &c. Tom. II. p. 500. Ulyssiponaei 1790. ( 47 ) Section VIII. Antilithics. By this term of Antilithics, I mean those medi- cines which give relief in the disease of lithiasis, or cal- culus, and also in nephritis when this depends upon the same causes that induce calculus, such as a gouty diathe- sis, not to mention others. I prefer this term to the old one ofLiTHONTRiPTics, which has so generally been employed to denote a set of medicines which produce the effects I have mentioned. Lithontriptics, in the rigid sense of this term, are, I think, unknown to us; though I do not deny, that the long-continued use of lime-water and other similar medicines, may on some occasions, have acted partially by dissolving, or otherwise altering, the surface of urinary and other calculi. Meanwhile, we are certain, that in many instances where Uva Ursi and other medicines have greatly relieved the distressing symptoms induced by a calculus, the latter has remain- ed undissolved, and its form, perhaps, not in the least, altered. The real mode of operation of the Antilithics is un- known to us. It seems highly probable, however, that many of them produce their effects by virtue of an as- tringent quality. We, at least, find that not a few of the astringents, such as Uva Ursi*, some species of Gera- nium, Sec, do give relief in many cases of nephritis and calculusf. Dr. Cullen imagines, that the astringents act, in this case, by absorbing an acid in the stomachj. But this appeiu's to be a frivolous theory, unsupported * See page 3. f J. H. Heiicher. ■"- A Treulise of the Materia Medica. Vol. 11. p. 13, 8;c, ( 43 ) by any respectable body of facts. The mode of opera- tion of the astringents, is not completely understood; and in ascertaining the fact, that these medicines are antilithics, we have only advanced one step towards the discovery of truth. But whatever may be the precise manner of acting of the astringents in cases of nephritis and calculus, we are certain, that an antilithic property belongs to many articles which have little or no claim to the character of astringents. Such are some of the plants of the genus Allium, or Garlic, as the Leek (Allium Porrum), &c.: also, carbonic acid, and carbonate of soda, not to mention several others. It is much to be regretted, that this most important subject should still be involved in so much uncertainty, notwithstanding the late laborious and ingenious inqui- ries of Fourcroy, Pearson, and other philosophers, who have favoured us with the results of their experiments, relative to the analysis of human and other calculi. But on this subject much remains to be done; and although it is not probable, that we shall soon, if ever, discover a solvend for calculi in the body, it is highly likely, that a more extensive and correct acquaintance with the inti- mate nature of these concretions, will, in time, conduct us to a knowledge of the means of preventing their for- mation. I HAVE but little to say on the subject of particular Antilithics. Indeed, it must be confessed, that our cata- logue of articles that are deserving of this title is ver}' small. Of the Uva Ursi, I have already taken some notice*. I have also observed, that the Pyrola umbellata has been * See Part Fir^t.p, 9, 10, See alao page 3, of the present pjfrt. ( 49 ) employed with advantage in nephritic affections*". The good effects of the kernels of Corylus Americana have been noticedf, as have those of the Philadelphia Flea- bane, or Erigeron PhiladelphicumJ. I have not however, employed any of these articles in the disease of nephritis, except the Uva Ursi, which is, unquestionably, a valu- able antilithic. I have often prescribed this medicine, and have known it to be useful, even when it was ascer- tained that a calculus was present. It is certain that it does relieve the disagreeable symptoms which are the conse- quence of the irritation of a stone; and some facts which have come under my own observation, independently on those which I have met with in medical authors, have led me to believe, that the use of this astringent medi- cine facilitates the expulsion of calculous granules, through the urethra. In what manner this effect is ac- complished, I am unable to say. I must add, however, that in sotne nephritic cases, Uva Ursi seems to increase the irritation which it so generally relieves. I HAVE already observed, that the root of Convolvu- lus panduratus " has been much recommended in cases " of gravel<5." Since the publication of the former part of the Collections^ I have received some additional and more certain information on this subject. In particular, I have learned, that an infusion or decoction of the root has been often used by a physician || of New- Jersey, who has found the medicine very useful in his own case. He is persuaded, that it has enabled him to pass the calcu- lous granules, with much facility. * See p. 2, 3. j See p. 3. t See p. 46. § See Part First, p. 5? jl Dr. Harris. Part II. I ( 50 ) Section IX. Anthelmintics. It has been asserted, that Worms, as constituting a disease, are more common in America than in Europe, I suspect that there is some foundation for this assertion, though I am sensible, that the assertion ought to be received with some hesitation. A larger body of facts should be collected, before the truth can be completely established. I HAVE already observed, that the Indian children, in some parts of the United- States, are very " subject to worms, and to the larva of insects, introduced into the system, along with their crude, and often unwhole- some, aliment*." It is, moreover, a fact, that great numbers of these children fall victims to the diseases induced by worms. This is acknowledged by many of the Indians with whom I have conversed. The Oneidas preserve a very curious tradition concerning one of these epidemic worm-fevers, and inform us, that in conse- quence of the destruction which it occasioned among their children, the nation relinquished a station which it had long occupied, on the margin of the Oneida-Lake, and took possession of another, at some distance from the Lake. It has, however, been asserted by some in- genious writers, that diseases from worms are unknown among the Indiansf. My own observations and inqui- • See Part First, p. 38, &c. ■j- Dr. Rush says, he " cannot find any accounts of diseases from worms, •• among' the Indians." " Nor does dentition (he observes) appear to be adis- *• order among^ t!ie Indians. The facility with whicli the healthy chihlren of ** healthy parents cut their teetli, among civilized nations, gives us reason to '• conclude, that the Indian children never suffer from this quarter." See Arj Oration, &,c., containing- an Inquiry into the Natural History of Medicine among the Indians of North- America, k.r. he. p. 26. Pliiladelphia: 1774. ( 51 ) ries lead me to adopt a very opposite opinion. Indeed, the children of the Indians seem to suffer not much less from worms, and from dentition, than the children of the Europo- Americans. Whatever foundation there may be for the asser- tion, that worms are peculiarly common in North- Amer- ica, it will not be denied, that the subject of AntheU mintic medicines is one well worthy of attention. On this account, I shall introduce into this place a few ad- ditional notices on the subject. I begin with those ve- getables which are most obviously characterized by a tonic quality. A STRONG decoction of the bark of thePrunus Vir= giniana* has been employed, with a good effect in some cases of worms. Whether this bark operates by any other than by a tonic quality, I am unable to say. It will not be denied, that many of the bitter tonic medi- cines are, on many occasions, excellent anthelmintics. But I am very far from believing, with some ingenious writersf, that the tonic medicines are always the best anthelmintics. In the epidemic verminose fevers, which often prevail in the marshy tracts of country, and are evidently owing to the same causes that induce com- mon intermittens and remittents, the Peruvian bark and other similar medicines may be used with peculiar advantage. Moreover, tonics are at all times properly exhibited, with a view to prevent worms from increas- ing in the system. But many articles that are not at all, • See p. 21, 22. f Mr. James Moore. " Bark (says this author) is perhaps the best of all " worm-powders" An Essay on the Materia Medica, Step. 148, London: 1792. ( 52 ) or at least very inconsiderably, tonic, are among the most valuable anthelmintics with which we are acquainted. The Veratrum luteum*, commonly called Devil's bit, and Blazing Star, is entitled to notice. The root of this plant is a very pungent bitter, and is employed as a tonic, in some parts of the United- States. A spirituous infusion of the root is made use of. A tea, or watery infusion, of the root is often used, and is deemed an ex- cellent anthelmintic. I presume, it does not operate merely by virtue of its bitter or tonic property. A nar- cotic quality seems to belong to this vegetable, and I am inclined to think, that its good effects, in cases of cholic, and perhaps, in cases of worms, are, in part at least, owing to this quality. A WATERY infusion of the twigs and leaves of the Laurus Benzoin, formerly mentionedf, is often given to children, with a view to destroy and dislodge worms, and is deemed an efficacious medicine in this case. The root of the Sanguinaria Canadensis, exhibited with a view to its emetic effect, has, in some instances, dislodged worms from the stomach. Future experi- ments must determine, how far this active article is en- titled to the character of an anthelmintic. Perhaps, Ipe- cacuanha, or any other emetic, would be found equally beneficial in similar cases. In the course of my journey through Virginia, in the } ear 1802, I was informed, that the ripe fruit of the * I take this plant to be the Melanthium dioicum of Walter. See my Ele- ments 61' Botany, &c. Part Third, [>. 157, &c. j See Part First, p. 20. ( 53 ) Persimmon (Diospyros Virginiana*) has often been found very useful in the worm-cases of the negro and other children. I cannot discover any thing peculiarly active in this fruit, in the condition in which it is em- ployed as an anthelmintic. Perhaps, it operates solely by virtue of a laxative property. I CONTINUE to use and experience the good effects of the Melia Azedarachf. I believe this is one of the most valuable anthelmintics, that has hitherto been dis- covered. Of late, the dried berries have been advantage- ously employed as an anthelmintic, in Carolina. With a view to this effect, children are permitted to eat the berries, without any particular regard to the dose. They are, by some, deemed as efficacious as the bark of the tree. I have employed the powdered leaves, but am not yet prepared to offer a positive report concerning their comparative powers. On the subject of the anthelmin- tic and other properties of the Melia, the reader will do well to consult my friend, Dr. G. Duvall's Inaugural DissertationJ. * See Part First, p. 11. I See Part First, p. 40, 64, 65, 66. ■^ An Experimental Botanico-Medical Essay on the Melia Azedarach oi' Linnsus. By Grafton Duvall, of Maryland. Philadelphia: 1802. THE END UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. The Lectures on Botany commence, annually, about the middle of April, and terminate in the first week of Julv. UNIVERSITY OF PENNSYLVANIA. The Lectures on Materia Medic a, and those on Natural History*, commence, annually, m the first week of November, and terminate in the first week of March. * These are two distinct Conrses of Lecture*.