eowmo HOPvTUS JAMAICENSIS. 549 



with such gooJ success, that I have never had occasion to look for any other anthel- 

 iTiiutic. 1 have totally discarded the useless cetkiops mineral ; the uncertain crude 

 mercury, and the still more uncertain, and less innocent, preparations of it ; such as 

 calomel, corrosive sublimate, and so forth ; and, in short, all other medicines givea 

 witli the same intention, except cabbage-tree bark ; and even that is not so great a fa- 

 vourite of mine as it formerly used to be ; not that I have any reason to find fault with 

 it, but only because 1 iind the cowhage to answer every purpose I can want. I have 

 given it even to tender and delicate v/hite children under one year old, without an)' ill 

 cousecjuences. On the contrary, it has- frequently brought away worms from them, 

 even at so young an age. Every body, that gives it without advice, has a different 

 %vay of preparing it ; but the manner in which it is most commonly prepared, and the 

 manner in which I myself order it, is to throw a dozen or two of ripe pods into a cala- 

 bash or common quart pimch bowl, full of melasses, and stir together, until the hairs 

 or spicnlfE are taken clear olT the pod, and well mixed with the melasses. . The pods 

 being useless are then thrown away. . 



" Of this mixture I order the hot house man on every estate to give all the children, . 

 without distinction, a table spoonful, for three nibrnings, once a month ; ajid not only 

 to the children, but, if any of the grown negroes are suspected to have worms, it is 

 likewise given to them, but in larger quantity ; and it is inconceivable to one, who has 

 not known the good effects of cowhage, what wonderful success it has in expelling 

 every s])ecies of worms ; and I can safely aver, I never saw any ilf consequences, or 

 had any complaints, from those for whom I have prescribed it, "or recommended it to. 

 However, I would not think it adviseable to be given where there might be any disor- 

 der tending towards inflammation in any part of the alimentary canal, or where the na- 

 tural mucus is tlefective. 



" I agree with you, in supposing, that th6 cowhage acts mechanically, in the same 

 manner as cut liair would do, from no intrinsic virtue ; because a decoction of it is of 

 no manner of use. 



" I must desire you particularly to take notice that it is, and always has been, my 

 practice to premise an emetic, where it can be done with propriety, previous to enter- 

 ing upon the cowhage. I have often found the good effects of it, which induces me to 

 continue it. A gentle dose of ipecacuanha, or tsi tar-emetic, clears the stomach of 

 matters which might impede the action of the cov.hage; and, to children, a little 

 oxymel of squills will answer the purpose : but some of the Creoles, who seldom use 

 an European medicine, when tliey can find an apothecary's shop in the bushes, never 

 use any emetic for themselves or their negroes, but the wild ipecacuanha, or red-head.. 



" 1 Ifave received the thanks of several ladies in and about Liguanea, and the moun- 

 tains, and in the town of Kingston also, who have used the cowhage from my recom- 

 mendation, both for their ov.n children, and for their negroes. They are all lavish in 

 praise of its virtues. In short, I think it may he-looked on as a more certain specific 

 m worm complaints than the Peruvian bark in the cure of intermittents. I am, he. &c, 



" Your's affectionately, " Neil Stewart." 



See Cat-Cl.wv Horse, and Horse- Eye, Bejvn. 



CowiTCH Cherry See Barbadoes Cherry, 



K k 00WITCI4. 



