The lutroduction. 
iv 
come from the Indians, they being usd for the fame Difeafes in 
Mexico and Brazile, as Pifo, Marcgrave, Hernandez, Ximenes, and 
others relate. 7 
One of the greateft remedies of the Planters living here to pre- 
vent Difeafes, or the ill effect of what they call ill Fumes or Va- 
pours, is an infufion of the Seeds of that kind of Ariftolochia called 
Contra Yerva. The Seeds fteep’d in Wine afford a clammy, yel- 
low fubftance which fticks clofe to them, and their infufion in 
Wine is uled in a morning in fickly times, to prevent Infection. 
The Seeds infufed in Spiric of Wine, and diftill’d, afford a Spiric 
very good to promote Sweating in Colds and Fevers. ‘This Plant 
is ufed for much the fame purpofes, both in the Continent of 4- 
merica and the Eaft-Indies. Dr. Smallwood an Englifh Phyfician, 
who liv’d in Guatemala, (having been taken Prifoner by the Spa 
niards) told me that the Spaniards made great ufe of this Herb in 
all poifonous and Malignant Difeafes. The Indians about Guiana 
liad firft difcovered its Vertue to the Spaniards, for the Doctor be- 
ing purfued by them and wounded by one of their poifon’d Ar- 
rows, to find out his Cure, they took one of their Indian Prifoners, 
and tying him to a Poft threatned to wound him with one of 
their own venemous Arrows, if immediately he did not declare 
their Cure for that Difeafe, upon which the Indian immediately 
chaw’d fome of this Contra Yerva, and put it into che wound, and 
it healed. The Inhabitants here ufe alfo with great fuccels, Vo- 
mits of the infufion of Crocus Metallorum in Wine, in Fevers and 
other Difeales. 
—_— = 
Their 
