Convolvulus panduratus. | 258 
- was enabled, by its use, to pass calculous granule with facility. It 
appears also, that in Virginia, and some other parts of the United 
States, the root of this plant, taken either in ‘powder or decoc- 
tion, has been recommended in cases of gravel.* Perhaps it 
is diuretic. Hitherto it has received but little attention among re- 
gular practitioners of medicine. It has, however, been employed 
among empirics, but for what purpose it is not easy to learn. I 
have seen it collected for their use, but, as may be supposed, any 
enquiries as to the object for which it was procured, resulted in no 
certain information. The constant habit of secrecy observed by 
these impostors, screens from the view of the profession, occa- 
sionally, active and useful articles. - Of the medical virtues of the 
plant in question, I know nothing from experience, having never 
used it in any form. : 
Shoepf informs us that it grows plentifully round Bethlehem, 
(Penn.) where its root is collected and sold for Mechoacanna, and 
that it has the same virtues and appearance as that article.t+ 
* Barton’s Collections. 
{ Mat. Med. Am. p- 21. 
VOL. I. 33 
