^3 . - ■ ^ 



THE SICSL ux:\c cc^itm^loiu^ 



white blossoms; when the stalk is biuLtn U dis- 

 charges a milky substance; it has two small pods 

 about the size of a cfthbage poil, wiih a silky 

 fiubsUncc Iq them. The roots are wandering 

 running underground to some distaoce, and pro- 

 ducing many stalks, which grow about two feet 

 high. The kind, called wandering milk weed, 

 grows only on upland. The other kind, grows 

 near rivers, in wet places, and differs a little 

 from the other in appearance; it has leaves and 

 pods, like the other, and both are good for med- 

 icine; the bark of the root is used. The roots 

 when cleaned and dried, may be pounded in a 

 mortar; the bark is then easily separated from 

 the woody part. The root is very bitter, and is 

 one of the greatest correctors of bile known, and 

 h an excellent medicine to remove costiveness, 

 as it will cause the bowels to move in the natu- 

 ral way. A strong decoction of the roof, made 

 by steeping it in hot water, if drank freely, will 

 operate as a cathartic, and sometimes as an emet- 

 ic. It should be used in all costiveness, and is 

 mire to throw off a fever if ta!:en in time. 



Bitter //er&,— sometimes called halmony^ and 

 «nakehead, grows in wet land by the side of 

 brooks; the stalk is fuurstiuaic, the leaves some- 

 what longer than mint, of a daik green color, 

 and sweetish bitter taste. The flower is white, 

 and somewhat resembles a snake's head with 

 |he mouth open. This bark is very gocd to 



