Baptisia tinctoria, 57 
occasions during my herborizing excursions, to meet with negroes 
and others, collecting large quantities of this plant, which they always 
spoke of by the name of wild indigo. My enquiries of these people, 
who in every instance, except one, were collecting for other per- 
sons, convinced me the search for the plant was for medical purposes, 
It does not, however, appear likely, that in any other way than as an 
external application, the Baptisia will become useful in medicine. I 
am inclined to offer this opinion, from my own trials with it, and 
those of other persons. Yet, as an external remedy in certain affec- 
tions presently to be mentioned, it is far from being devoid of use- 
fulness ; and I here present it to the notice of physicians, as an anti- 
septic and sub-astringent plant, capable of correcting the vitiated dis- 
charges of foul and gangrenous ulcers ; and checking the progress, 
perhaps, of mortification, when used simultaneously with the internal 
administration of Peruvian bark. The cathartic and emetic effect 
which has occasionally followed its use in large quantities, should, I 
think, be disregarded as far as any benefit may be expected from 
their effects ; neither do I believe the diaphoretic effect which has 
supervened upon the free use of the decoction and infusion, in my 
own hands, and in the trials made by others, is entitled to any atten- 
tion; because, like its purgative and emetic effect, it only followed 
the use of the article, pushed to considerable and inconvenient ex- 
tent. It is also slightly stimulant, both in the powder and in the de- 
coction of the root, but probably not more so, than any active sub- 
stance introduced into the stomach. 
VOL. II. 8 
