118 Polygala seneka. 
in the use of this medicine (in croup) than in any other.”*. The sali- 
vating property of seneka has been long known, and the instances of 
this effect being succeeded by its use, are numerous and authentic, fts 
expectorant power has caused it to be used in cases of typhus with 
pneumonic symptoms, and with considerable success, greatly pro- 
moting, by stimulating the lungs, the expectoration of mucus. “ Dr. 
Brandreth, of Liverpool, has derived great benefit in some cases of 
lethargy, from an extract of seneka combined with carbonate of 
‘ ammonia,”+ That it acts, occasionally, with much vigour as a sudo- 
rific, seems beyond disputation ; but I cannot mention without some 
apprehension of raising a smile, the marvellous effect said to have 
been produced on the blacks who have used it. Dr. Barton mentions 
that he “ has been assured it has, been known to remove portions of 
the mucous body or rete mucosum from their skin.°*t According to 
the doctor, the Indians use a decoction of this root in syphilis, and in 
malignant sore-throat. We are told by Dr. Woodville, that “ the re- 
pute which this root obtained in peripneumonic affections, induced 
some to employ it in other inflammatory disorders, in which it 
provedserviceable, particularly in rheumatism.’’? The notion that this 
’ 
* Collections. 
.  } Edinburgh Disp. by Dyck. p, 348. 
t Collections, 
§ Med. Bot. vol. 2. p. 255. Com. Novic. 1741. p. 363. Sarcone Geschichte de 
Kraukh, in Neapel, tom. 1. p. 108. 169. 173. 199. 
