No. 72. PINCKNEYA. 57 



These properties must more or less belong also to our 

 American kinds ; nay, the Chinese consider the Comfrey 

 root as often equivalent to Ginseng. The Ginseng appears 

 to partake of the propertiesof camphor, valerian, zedoary. 



rosemary, and comfrey, of which it ma^ be the substi- 

 tute. The European and American physicians who have 

 tried ours, differ in opinion on the subject, which may 

 be ascribed to some using only young or bad roots. 

 Many consider it as a mere aromatic demulcent j others 

 as a gentle stimulant, or recommend it in nervous disor- 

 ders, debility, marasm, and the senile cough. The In- 

 dians of Canada and our empirics use it for asthma, 

 weak stomach, debilitv, pains in the bones, excessive 

 venery, gravelly complaints, &c. It is often used as a 

 masticatory and answers the purpose of Angelica, as a 

 restorative stomachic. A tincture is used by drunkards. 

 The watery decoction preserves all the properties as 

 well as the extract, which is a very good preparation- 

 In mv experiments, I have chiefly used the powder, 

 mixed with equal quantity of honey or sugar candy in 

 powder. I have found it a good stomachic, restorative, 

 and nervine remedy. It acts upon the nervous system 

 m a mild manner, and revives it. Our American Gin- 

 seng is so mild that it may be used in pretty large doses, 

 nay, as far as an ounce. Dr. Cutler and Dr. Greenway 

 have long ago stated to have found it useful, even in 

 small doses of ten to twenty grains. In convulsions, ver- 

 tigoes, nervous affections, palsy, and even dysentery. 

 The leaves form a very grateful medical tea, which is 

 reserved for the noble and wealthy in China ; ours make 

 equally good lea, and are sometimes used in Canada, 

 Kentucky, and Virginia. Dr. Hales, of Troy, has used 

 the roots and leaves as a good analeptic and restorative 

 in fevers. Some Indians have a notion that it makes 

 women fruitful. This article appears, therefore, to de- 

 serve further attention, instead of total neglect. 



No. 72. PINCKNEYA PUBENS. 



Names, Pinckney Bark. Fr. Quinquina Pinckney. 

 Vulgar. Bitter Bark, Georgia Bark, Florida Bark, Fe- 

 ver-tree. 



