s and seeds are a powerful and diffusible stimuli, 
. tincture of the root is used to prevent the » 
— and a decoction of the root is used — oe se 
: Raeras a tent har eter : 5 a 38 
e 
we! 
~ Brve Carprwat Frowers. Lobel Syphilitica. The root. ; 
3; ae ee. 
Thin tehetirated plant grows i in 1 the states of New Ldn oa Vir- 
ginia, and in other places in the United States, and is found in moist 
mendows, and near brooks and springs. It rises two feet i in k : 
Jong, single, numerous and spiked ; ad milky juice, and — 
. The oot, which is the part used, fever Aer ber 
fibres 2 bout two inches long, resembles tobacco in taste, which Fe- : 
mains on the tongue, and is apt to excite vomiting. 
It is said to be used among the Indians as a certain cure for the o? 
_ venereal disease ; their method of using it was by making a strong 
decoction of the roots and leaves, of which half a pint was drank 
every morning, washing the parts with the same. Its vistas in 
this disease, however, have probably been exaggerated. — 
Dr. Barton says, it is considerably diuretic : it gen 
with the stomach, and seldom failed of ——— 
strong cathartic. - ; 
aia wae water ise. flower de luce, &e. "hie plant is perr 
nial, and grows in great abundance in most parts of the United 
States, by the brinks of rivers, in bogs, and low grounds. It blos- 
soms in July ; flowers blue, variagated with white, yellow, and pur- 
; its leaves sword shaped. ‘The roots grow in mats, pest: hare 
"an acrid taste ie ia 
~ i possesses great medicinal power; and- from a. lon ' 
perience of its use, TI am convinced that it is equally as efhia 
mercury in allthe diseases in which, in the common pract 
gosed mercury is indicated. It serves as an alterative, eaiiia. 
: lagogue, in smail continued doses; as _a powerful drastic purge, & = 
= stimalant, a vermifuge, a diuretic, errhine, &c. Itis a complete 
ite for that mineral, for any of its purposes ; and beingavege= 
table, I consider it far preferable, because, after having its opera~ 
tion and effect, it passes off and leaves the system free; whereas 
_ mercury fastens upon the bones. and solids, and remains, like a cor- 
_ reding and eating canker, rendering vast numbers feeble and debili- 
- tated for life. Such is the tifferenes between these two articles of 
medicine ; and it would be a happy event for mankind if physicial 
ould. for once, divest themselves of their blind prejudices in favo 
of the mineral, and consent, at least, to make a trial of this eget 
. Their humanity should be a sufficient induceme 
e plea that the vegetable kingdom contains pe 
ity, is no longer tenable; then why. ould | 
rs 
om. 
