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and are ignorantly ‘sold various cryptogamous roots, species of 
the same genus, and others whelly different, as, for instance, the 
common Calaguala of commerce, which is almost insipid, and 
of little or no virtue: hence the use and virtue of the genuine 
and very bitter plant ef Peru have been unjustly depreciated ; 
-and occasion has been given for various physicians to write. 
both for and against its sudorific and solvent properties ; that 
of the China Peruvianu, with an infusion or decoction of 
which, taken abundantly for some days, the Indians and other 
tribes cure themselves of rheumatic pains, and obstinate inflam-_ 
_ matory.and herpetic affections; that of the Cunchalagua, the in- 
fusion of which is frequently - empering, purifying, and 
attenuating the blood, for restoring the relaxed stomach te its 
tone, and fer abating intermittent fevers; as a sudorific also it is 
of great use in pains in the side without fever; and finally the 
Sargazo, a remedy against the scurvy. 
May the present paper be useful to mankind! for that i is the 
reward to which I aspire. e : 
Although, for the admission of the Star-teed into’ thedical ' use, . 
the single fact was sufficient, of its being, like the Virginian 
Snake-root,.a species of the genus Aristolochia of Linnzus, and 
of possessing a fragrance and taste much surpassing those per- 
ceptible in the Snake-root; I have thought preper, for the 
greater satisfaction of physicians, to give some chemical expe- 
riments on the Star-reed, in order to exhibit its component parts, 
and the most important results for medical use, as follows: — 
