ceae) is supposed to be the source of a root-derived syrup 
‘*Good for syphilis”’. 
There are various examples from the New World: in 
KE] Salvador, Campelia zanonia (P. C. Standley 19320, 
Commelinaceae) is a *‘Remedy for gonorrhoea’. In Bo- 
livia, Pothomorphe peltata (J. Steinbach 5536, Pipera- 
ceae) is used “*. . . contra llagas sipiliticas’’. Three spe- 
cies may be included from Mexico: Mascagnia septen- 
trionalis (G@. Thurber 901, Malpighiaceae) was used at 
least a century ago, the root being a putative specific 
against syphilis. A ‘‘remedy for gonorrhoea’? comes 
from A eeratum conyzoides (P. C. Standley 19220, Com- 
positae). ‘The macerated leaves of Hintonia latiflora 
G. B. Hinton Herb. No. 3413, 4817, Rubiaceae) are 
taken internally for malaria and pinto. Pinto, or pinta, 
is the common name in Mexico for a form of trepone- 
matosis, an infection closely related to venereal syphilis. 
In Africa, there is Sabicea Vogelu (G. EF. S. Elliot 
4175, Rubiaceae) **‘Used for gonorrhea by Natives. . .”’ 
The third and fourth largest categories of ethnogyn- 
ecological notes pertain to menstruation and ‘‘female 
disorders’’, respectively. ‘These notes deserve special at- 
tention. ‘The plants in question apparently are used to 
treat what appear to be, for the most part, routine func- 
tional and minor ailments. But there is the possibility 
that at least some of these plants act, in fact, as regula- 
tors of reproductivity. As unrecognized birth control 
agents—for instance, as abortifacients or promoters of 
fertility—these species would be of considerable interest 
in connection with human population studies. 
Plants in this category include Pollia thyrsifolia (C. 
rake 491, Commelinaceae) in the Philippine Islands: 
‘*Teaves applied for amenorrhea’’. 
In the West Indies, Vournefortia volubilis GS. Kings 
140, Boraginaceac) is **Used for female trouble’*. Here, 
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