—_— Gaultheria procumbens. 
vinced me that it was frequently employed in this complaint, they 
never appeared sufficiently well founded to warrant much attention. 
Dr. Barton seemed to think that this plant was one of the principal 
articles in the materia medica of some of our Indian tribes. But it 
is not known for what purpose ‘they use it, nor what virtues they 
attribute to it. The professor speaks of having used a strong in- 
fusion of the plant, but does not say particularly what was his 
success with it. The ‘country people are in the constant habit 
of taking strong infusions of this tea, after great fatigue and undue 
exposure to heat or cold ; and the relief they find from it under these 
, circumstances, arises doubtless from its stimulating and anodyne pro- 
perty. As it isa very grateful beverage, though not very active in 
its effects on the system, it will no doubt always prove a useful me- 
dicinal tea, when its use is limited to those cases of ‘depression of the 
system, from the fatigue of long j journies, labour, or any other cause, 
in which stimulating and refreshing beverages may be advantageous- 
ly employed. ‘But as I have known it to be given in the commence- 
ment of violent inflammatory fevers, where the increased action of 
‘the system rendered it improper and even hurtful, it may be prudent 
to caution those who are ‘partial to the use of the plant, against a 
practice capable oh 80 ) meh i injury. 
