Eupatorium perfoliatum. 133 
than the flowers, and he has been copied by Thacher, Coxe, and others. 
Careful practical experiments with the decoctions and infusions of 
both these portions of the plant, in similar and dissimilar doses, have 
led me to form the opinion, that there is no difference in the bitter- 
ness or activity on the system, between the leaves and flowers. Both 
may be used indiscriminately, and either will answer. The stems also, 
allowing for the proportion of medulla which enter into their struc- 
ture, are nearly as efficacious, as the other portions. Consequently, 
the whole plant may be safely and advantageously used for medical 
purposes. 
I have said that the sensible properties of the bone-set indicate 
its medicinal virtues; and it appears that the tonic and diapho- 
retic effects, both of which are unequivocal and powerful, are those 
most deserving attention. It is also somewhat stimulant, but this 
effect is transient; and perhaps it is no more so than all bitters are, 
in their first impression on the system, particularly if it be debilitated 
by disease, or in a state of excitement from fever. It is certain that 
it has been successfully prescribed in violent catarrhs attended with 
some fever, and its stimulant effect has not been so considerable as 
to be injurious in those cases. As a tonic bitter it has been long 
known in this country, and the Indians are said to have used it in the 
cure of intermittent fevers; we are even told by the late Professor 
Barton, that they recognize it by a name which may be translated 
VoL. Hi. 18 
