Comptonia asplenifolia. 225 
disease that it is so much employed. I frequently used it in my 
practice last summer, in the form of a weak decoction. It is re- 
lied on almost exclusively, by many persons, for the cure of cholera 
infantum ; but from my trials of the plant in looseness of the bowels, 
in children, I do not think it ought to be so much depended on; 
though I have known instances in which, aided by proper regimen, 
it effected a cure. The decoction sweetened, forms an extremely 
grateful drink for children in the summer complaint ; and from its 
moderate astringency, and bracing and tonic effect on the bowels, it 
will always be found to be an useful auxiliary in the treatment of this 
disease. I gave it last summer to one of my children, in this 
complaint, and with encouraging success. The other virtues as- 
cribed to it by Shoepf, are not, perhaps, entitled to much considera- 
tion.* Neither is the common practice in Jersey, of using the de- 
coction as a fomentation in rheumatism and contusions, likely to — 
result in much relief. 
%* & Infusum foliorum in rhachidite, debilitate febrili, utile. Radix masticata 
sanguinem sistit. Co/den.” Shepf. Mat. Med. p. 142. — : 
