20 a 



No. 39. 



Tonic, antiseptic and febrifuge when dry. When first 

 brought into notice it was supposed to be equal to the 

 Calumba, and substituted thereto; but has been found 

 to be inferior, A. Ives even contends that it is infe- 

 rior to many other native tonics. It has however 

 the advantage ov^er them to afford a very large root, 

 often weighing several pounds, and to sell cheap: it 

 is about equal to Gentian and Rhubarb, in diseases of 

 the stomach, and Oebllity. It has cured a wide spread 

 gangrene of the lower limbs hy internal use and ex- 

 ternal application, when bark had failed. It avails in 

 Interm^ittents like other pure bitters> and is exten- 

 sively used'in the Western States in Fevers, Cholics, 

 Griping, Nausea,, relaxed stomach^and bowels, Indi- 

 gestion, &c. As a purgative it is substituted to Rhu-- 

 barb iu many cases, particularly for Children and 

 Pregnant Women, being fouud serviceable in the 

 constipation of pregnancy, &c. It has the advantage 

 of not heating the body. , Cold water is said to add to 

 its efficiency and prevent nausea or emesis. A tea- 

 spoonful of the powder in hot water and sugar wiU 

 give immediate relief in case of heavy food, loading 

 a weak stomach. It is a good corrector of the biW 

 alone or united with other bitters* Clayton and 

 Schoepf, calling it Sioertia dijfornin^ say that it is 

 employed in jaundice, scurvy,, gout, suppressed men- 

 struation and is a specific in hydrophobia 1 these indi- 

 cations require confirmation. The root ought to be 

 collected from the fall of the second year to the spring 

 of the third year growth; when in blossom the root 

 becomes softer and les* bitter^ The doses are twa 



