50 PHYTOLACCA DECANDRA, 
heat and smarting on being first applied. I have 
cured cases of psora with the ointment, and Dr. 
Hayward states, that he found it successful in cas- 
es where sulphur had failed. A case of tinia 
capitis of twelve years’ standing, which had re- 
sisted various kinds of treatment, was also cured 
by this application. 
The Phytolacca is one of those vegetables 
which has had its temporary reputation for the 
cure of cancer. For this purpose it has been re- 
sorted to in yarious parts of the world, and many 
men of science have been convicts to its efficacy: 
among whom were Dr. Colden and Dr. Franklin of 
our country. [Note K.] But like other vegetable 
specifies for cancer, it owes its character to an im- 
perfect discrimination of that disease, and a mis- 
application of the name. All that can be strictly 
inferred from the various accounts we haye had 
on this subject, is, that the plant has often proved 
useful in malignant ulcers by its stimulating and 
almost escharotic effects, frequently producing an 
eschar, and thus altering the condition of the ul- 
cerated surface. 
For internal use no preparation of the Phyto- 
lacea is to be preferred to the powder, of which 
from ten to fifteen grains is often a sufficient 
emetic. 
