132 Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
tensively, and to give it every trial which a favourable impression of 
_its powers would induce me to make. The result has been, that 
while I deem its properties on the one hand much exaggerated and 
even misrepresented in some points of view, I cannot but believe on 
the other, that it is a highly important article, when administered in 
those affections, to the symptoms of which its peculiar virtues are ap- 
plicable and proper. ‘ 
Bone-set has been represented by various writers, most of whom 
have copied after others, as a tonic, stimulant, diaphoretic, eme- 
tic, cathartic, diuretic, astringent, and deobstruent; as capable of 
curing obstinate cutaneous affections, yellow fever, petechial or spotted 
fever, rheumatism, &c. &c. thereby leading the unwary and the inex- 
perienced practitioner, to depend too much on its reputed powers. 
The sensible properties of bone-set would seem to point out its 
most estimable medicinal powers. The whole plant is intensely bit- 
ter. It is also possessed of some slight astringency. When dried it 
has a peculiar, and not disagreeable odour. 
The leaves and flowers according to some writers on the subject, 
contain the bitterness, in different degrees of intensity. The late Pro- 
fessor Barton states in his collections, that the flowers are more active 
than the leaves, and in this error, Dr. Chapman has copied him. Dr. 
Anderson on the other hand asserts, that the leaves are more active 
