VIRGINIA SNAKEROOT. 87 
subsultus tendinum, delirium, watchfulness, Sc, 
Its bitter ingredients, and the camphor which it 
contains, no doubt contribute to these effects. 
It is most advantageously given in combination 
with bark, or with wine and opium. | 
Snakeroot is a popular remedy in exanthema- 
tous disorders as a diaphoretie, being given to 
keep out the eruption, and to restore, it when. it 
has receded. In the latter case its use is doubt- 
less injudicious, and if it fails to reproduce the 
eruption, it greatly increases the heat, pain, and 
restlessness of the patient. It is better in, cases 
where the eruption has receded. to the disadvan- 
tage of the patient, to attempt its restoration by 
nauseating and saline diaphoretics, and eyen by 
a full emetic, than to incur the risk of aggravating 
the symptoms by a stimulating regimen. 
_. Dr, Chapman, in his Therapeutics, considers 
the Serpentaria as partaking the mixed qualities 
of a stimulant and tonic, and acting also as a 
diaphoretic and diuretic. It is peculiarly useful 
as. an auxiliary to the bark. He states, that one 
of the more early uses of the medicine was. in the 
cure of intermittent. fever. Whether alone it was 
found. adequate. to this purpose, does not, clearly 
appear... “It. was used by Sydenham. in_con- 
junction with, wine, to prevent the recurrence of 
