PHARMACOPCIAL VEGETABLE DRUGS. 
titled “Observations on the Anatomical and Physiological Nature of 
Ergot in Certain Grasses.” Before that date, although recognized as 
a fungus, the stage known as ergot was considered a distinct species. 
As with all natural drugs, so with ergot. It is a gift of domestic 
medicine, and was first mentioned by Adam Lonicer (394), Frankfort, 
Germany, who (1565) ascribed to it obstetric virtues, on the authority 
of women who considered it of “remarkable and certain efficacy.” The 
English botanist Ray (536) alludes (1693) to its medicinal properties ; 
a Dutch physician, Rathlaw, employed it in 1747; Desgranges, of 
Lyons (189b), praised it in 1777; while Dr. John Stearns* (611a), of 
Waterford, N. Y., 1807, under the name “Pulvis parturiens,” highly 
commended it in a paper contributed to the Medical Repository, which 
gave ergot the American introduction that, supported by other authori- 
ties, pushed the drug into prominence. Ergot is a gift of home ob- 
stetric practice established over three centuries ago by the German 
midwives. (See Lloyd Brothers’ Drug Treatise No. XII on Ergot.) 
EUCALYPTUS 
Eucalyptus globulus, and other species of eucalyptus, are indige- 
nous to Australia, where the leaves are employed by the natives as 
a remedy for intermittent fever. It was thus introduced to Europeans 
towards the middle of the nineteenth century. Possibly its employ- 
ment by the crew of the ship La Favorite, who in the vicinity of Botany 
Bay were nearly decimated by fever, from which they recovered 
through the use of an infusion of the leaves of eucalyptus, first gave 
the drug conspicuity, through the efforts of Dr. Eydoux and M. de 
Salvy. Dr. Ramel, of Valencia, however, has the credit of introducing 
the remedy to the Academy of Medicine, 1866, thus bringing the drug 
to the attention of the medical profession, by whom it is now used in 
extract form, in other directions than that for which it was originally 
commended. The distilled oil of eucalyptus has now an extended repu- 
tation and use. The date of its first use by the natives of Australia is 
unknown. 
EUVUONYMUS 
Euonymus atropurpureus and Euonymus americanus are prob- 
ably collected indiscriminately, both varieties being known by the com- 
mon name Wahoo. The bark of the root is the part used. This rem- 
edy, in the form of a decoction, was once a favorite in domestic medi- 
cation, and was introduced from thence to the regular medical pro- 
fession, as were other American remedies of like nature. It occupied 
_.,"Dr. John Stearns, the man who introduced Ergot to American practice, was born in 
Wilbraham, Massachusetts, May 16, 1770. He graduated from Yale in 1789, studying 
medicine with Dr. Erastus Sargeant, of Stockbridge, until 1792. He then attended the 
University of Pennsylvania, but probably did not graduate, as im 1793 he began to practice 
medicine near Waterford, New York, marrying in 1797 the daughter of Col. Hezekiah 
Ketchum. _He became enthusiastic in behalf of medical societies, and was a leading spirit 
in the passing of the New York Medical Law, 1806. When the Medical Society of the State 
of New York was established, Stearns, being a leading spirit, was elected Secretary, filling 
the position for several years. In 1812 the regents of the University at Albany (where 
he then resided) conferred on him the honorary degree of Doctor of Medicine. He was 
elected President of the Medical Society of New York four times successively, 1817, 1818, 
we bgt a In 1819 a ag to New a City, where in 1846 he was a 
: organizing the New York Academy o edicine, bei elected th 
President. He died of blood poisoning, the result of a wound, oP 1848. — 
36 
