Aristolochia serpentaria. St 
unusual malignant symptoms, and great tendency to rapid prostra- 
tion of the system. Encouraged by my former success, I used the 
serpentaria still more extensively, often alone, but most commonly 
with camphor, polygala senega*and Peruvian bark. In some in- 
stances, the malignity of the disease made rapid strides to dissolu- 
tion; but in not a few I had every reason to believe the use of the 
snake-root had been of infinite service, particularly in relieving 
bilious vomiting. Upon the whole, I am inclined to think that the 
serpentaria is entitled to a much more general use in our fevers 
with putrid tendency, than is usual. Throughout the United States, 
the country practitioners are much more in the habit of prescribing 
it in autumnal and other fevers, than the physicians of large cities, 
but as their voices are united in favour of the success of that prac- 
tice, it would be well if it were more commonly imitated. The anti- 
septic virtues of serpentaria have led to its use in gangrene; and it 
is often externally applied as a gargle in putrid sore throat. It has 
been found serviceable in dyspepsia, and has been known to remove 
the disease in a short time, and remarkably to renovate and strength- 
en the lost tone of the stomach. It has also been recommended in 
exanthematous diseases, when the fever is of the typhoid type, to 
support the action of the skin, and keep out the eruption. I have 
known it used in tincture, on the borders of York and Elizabeth rivers, 
in Virginia, as a prophylactic against agues. 
