50 THE SICK MAN^S CO^LVAmOKf 



pearance, only it grows in much smaller bunch- 

 es, seldom more than one flower stalk fuora the 

 same root, growing about six or eight inches 

 high, and bearing early in the spring, many small 

 blue or purple flowers, growing thick all around 

 the stem, especially towards the top, somewhat 

 in shape of the flower of garden sage. The 

 leaves, which are freqit^tly five or six inches 

 long, mostly grow from the root, and arc cut in 

 deep on each side of the middle rib, much like a 

 tansy leaf, but not of such a green color, and 

 very fuzzy, or hairy, and commonly lay tolera- 

 ble fiat on the ground. The leaves are the part 

 used for medicine, and may be found, almost any 

 season of the year in this country, mostly growl- 

 ing in open woods, and in dry thickets where 

 cattle do not range much, for early in the spring 

 they eat them close oti' to the ground, and they are 

 hail! to fiJid. They may be gathered at any sea- 

 son of the year, and dried for use. A tea made 

 of thes-^ leaves, either in a green or a dried state, 

 is a most poweiful medicine to produce perspi- 

 ration or swcuung. A pint of boiling water, 

 poured on a small handful of greon or fresh 

 leaves, and one or two tea-cupfitls taken v^hcu 

 going to bed, w ill mostly cure a cold in one night, 

 and if takii on the. first attack of a fever, is al- 

 most sure to throw it off, and relieve the patient. 

 For combining with other medicines, they should 

 be ca*. fully dried, pounded to a fine powder. 



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