258 HORTUS JAMA I CRN 81 & tssvari 



footstalks, ovate, obtuse, or acute, serrate, gradually and for a considerable length at-. 

 tenuated at tlie l>as,e. From the axil between two opposite branches comes forth a 

 fleshy spike, a foot loiij, unequally cylindrical, stiff and green ; the flowers, ihick ssfc. 

 round it, blow in- succession, beginning at the bottom;, very few together, violet co- 

 loured, with the throat and long slender incurved tube white ; anther sulphur-coloured j 

 after the corolla is fallen the style stands out of the spike. After each flower follows in 

 a greenish brown calyx or husk, one seed or ratherhusk, something like wheat in shape 

 and colour, only smaller, and easily divisible into two, both being close covered with 

 the same membrane-; they are in a cavity on the side of the spike, and are covered 

 with three sharp, brownish, membranous leaves. This plant is much used in clysters 

 in the belly-ache, and in poultices with onions for the dropsy, as also the decoction. It 

 is used in ulcers beaten and laid on as a poultice. Shane and Jacquin. The expressed 

 juice of the plant, dose one or two table spoonfuls, acooling purge forchildren infevers- 

 and worms. The vervain is likewisea remedy of particular note in sundry negro maladies. 

 Sloan e says, that a decoction of it with spikenard (ballola suuzeolens ) cures dropsies. 

 Hughes says that vervain is a powerful deobstruent ; that a table-spoonful of the juice, 

 for four successive mornings, is more effectual in bringing on the caULinenia than any 

 other medicine. Med. Ass. This plant is poisonous to sheep. Its virtues as a purifier 

 of the blood are well known, even when used as tea. The expressed juice given with sale 

 is an excellent purge; and infused in rum is said to drive out the yaw j, and other impu- 

 rities' of the blood* ; and, being of a purgative quality, prevents the bad effects on the 

 stomach, which the use of any bitter, too long continued, is apt to produce. Its erup- 

 tive quality is much quickened by adding a little flour of brimstone to it. Vervain and 

 ground ivy tea are often beneficial in hectic fever. 



We have several sorts of these plants. One sort is exactly like that in England ; it 

 keepelh green all the year round. This sort is well known by most or all the inhabitants 

 of America : The Indian and negro doctors perform great cures with it in dropsies, 

 especially those in woman, occasioned by obstructions of the menstrual discharge, and 

 that by only giving tha juice of the plant. It is a powerful remedy against worms, as 

 was evident by a gentlewoman in America, who was in a lingering consumptive condir 

 tion for some time, and the occasion of it could not be found out by the physicians' : 

 Her lungs were good, and so was her appetite, but she still wasted, and was always 

 complaining ; at last, a skilful Indian gave her the juice of this plant, mixed with some 

 sugar, by the use of which she voided, in a few days, a thick worm, above twelve 

 inches long, hairy, and forked at the tail, after which she soon recovered, and was per- 

 fectly well. The same person recommended this remedy to another gentlewoman in 

 Peru, who, by taking it in the same manner, voided many small long worms, and among 

 the rest, one very long and Hat, like unto a long white girdle ; after which she also be- 

 came well. It is almost certain, that the death of most children in America is occa- 

 sioned by worms, entirely owing to their fruit, which is very apt to breed them : This 

 might be often prevented, by taking the juice of this plant, with contrayerva infused in 

 wine; which would also prevent the fever that is occasioned by them. The ancients 

 attributed main virtues 10 vervain : It is a great cephalic, and vulnerary in the distem- 

 per of the eyes and breast, in obstructions of the liver and spleen ; it makes an excel- 

 lent 



* If a sore lias the appearance of proceeding from tlie yaw?, tt is said tliat by dressing it with the leaves of 

 this plant, which eives considerable pain at lir.t, it may be diaCDVt i< d ; fin wk> " tlie pain has subsided, if it 

 proceed from the yaws the sore will be of a whitish ohitir, but if not, it will appear red. 



