136 Eupatorium perfoliatum. 
diaphoretic effect, however, he deemed it indispensable to ensure, 
and therefore preferred in general giving it warm. He has related to 
me many instances in which farmers had, without calling in medical 
advice, or where it could not readily be procured, resorted of their 
own accord to the free exhibition of a strong decoction of this plant, 
for several nights and days in succession, assisting its sweating effect 
by warm bed-clothing ; and uniformly with beneficial, often with en- 
tirely successful effect. 
Encouraged by these reports, I have in every instance which 
has occurred to myself, imitated this practice, not, however, plac- 
ing such entire reliance on this means of cure as did the Doc- 
tor, but using in addition, repeated small purgings. Yet I am de- 
cidedly of opinion, from my experience with this article, that it 
is, in all cases of low typhus, attended with hot and dry skin, as 
is commonly the case, an inestimable medicine; and I have seen 
reason, in my own trials, to prefer the warm decoction or infu- 
sion, to the cold, or to the plant given in substance. In every 
instance I have used the decoction of the flowers and leaves of the 
dried plant, to which form I give preference to any other. I have 
not found it so apt to produce vomiting in this way, if judiciously and 
cautiously administered, as the writers in our dispensatories seem to 
fear. From one to two table spoonfuls given every half hour is, I think, 
the best plan to ensure its diaphoretic, and avoid its emetic effect. In 
